Before the Internet, label samplers used to be part of the life’s blood when it came to discovering new artists and music. Some of them introduced us to a roster of bands that clicked and has had us following things through to the present day. I never forget formative years and discovering the works of many a group through the likes of discs by Relapse, Candlelight and others and who can forget the impact of some standout albums such as Moonfog’s ‘A Different Perspective’ released way back in 2000? Of course, nowadays they are quite a disposable artefact and not the sort of thing we normally cover. However, when distinguished UK label Peaceville announced this one with all new exclusive tracks to mark their 35th year of existence, focusing on the blacker side of things I simply had to hear and as such cover it, especially as it contained some favourite artists as well as a few brand-new ones heralding things to come in the future.
I’m not taking things in order but will first concentrate on those we are possibly hearing for the first time. RUïM is a new endeavour for Blasphemer Rune Eriksen Vltimas ex Mayhem, Ave Inferi along with drummer CSR ‘O Sino da Igreja (Threat Mix)’ illustrates a potent brew of scathing riffs, blasts and spat out snarling vocals taking back to the spirit of works such as the legendary ‘Wolf’s Lair Abyss.’ There’s a neat clean guitar part amidst the turmoil and apparently the whole idea behind this new project is an interest in spiritual and voodoo themes; pure Macumba Madness! Avmakt are next stop on the who are they train and this trio have roots in many a Norwegian band from Black Magic to Obliteration, Abhorration and Purple Hill Witch, to name a few. ‘Bitter Carved Hollow’ builds on their 2021 demo delivering a scabrous and hateful blast of icy fetid air that chills to the bones as it swirls like a blizzard out the speakers. This is raw rough and rugged, nice!
We move to the more established acts and the likes of Sigh who give us a noticeably different vocal version of ‘Mayonaka No Kaii’ via latest album Shiki. It puts a neat new twist on their maddening psyche masterpiece. Darkthrone prove frustrating just giving an edit of recent album track ‘Impeccable Cavers Of Satan.’ Impeccable or not and despite the craggy doom-flares shuffle being instantly recognisable one can’t help thinking they are dialling it in. Tomb-stalkers Mortuary Drape however prove far more ravenous and beastly than on last EP and ‘The Secret Lost’ is one good find from their forthcoming album no doubt landing 2023.
Mortem & Mork are both fully dependable. ‘Aftermath’ from the former a synth heavy cauldron of malevolence and snarly discourse with real bite to it and ‘Alrunens Hevn’ a melodic pagan sounding twister uncoils like a serpent with its melody getting right under the skin. Hellripper naturally rip it up with their Venomous thrash invoking the British Midnight hour ‘Mephistophelian Dreams’ is a short, savage blast of headbanging fury which should have you frothing at the mouth for their next poisonous offering.
We get a couple of instrumentals. Gærne Sia av Fjorden a work of avant-garde weirdness from the strange and elusive Kvist. Could this mark a return? The second from Snorre Ruch of Thorns is entitled ‘Helvete Theme’ and is an ominous drum rattling work with naturally thorny guitars which if released back in the early years could have been an anthem for the whole hellish scene.
Who does that leave? Ah yes as far as I’m concerned, I have saved the best till last. Dodheimsgard’s ‘Stemmen fra Evigheten’ is a harrowing, strange clamour of warped sonics, ghastly gurgling vocals and cadaverous horror rising into grandeur via clean croons. It melted my head on first play and haunts on every successful spin. It will have been 8 years since ‘A Umbra Omega’ and for me the new album from DHG is going to be a highlight of next year. But that’s not all as far as these spooks are concerned. Vicotnik has a new side project apparently harking back to the ‘Satanic Art’ era. All hail Doedsmaghird & Then, to Darkness Return.’ To say it does just what it suggests is obvious but for now you will have to get the album yourself to witness this horrid rite.
A solid album that brings Hammy’s original vision to a new and on the whole diabolical era and one well worth adding to your collection. Limited edition vinyl from the link below.
(7.5/10 Pete Woods)
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