Dawn

 

Sweden's black metal scene is almost as fruitful as Norway's, full of great and classic bands. One band that doesn't get enough attention is DAWN. From the city of Linköping, Dawn is a band you need to know.

Dating back to founder Fredrik Söderberg's solo efforts at starting a band in the late 80's, Dawn didn't actually form until 1990. Drawing influence from a wide range of metal bands--including Dio, Mercyful Fate, Celtic Frost, Slayer, and Kreator--Dawn's early sound had more in common with melodic death metal than black metal. 

"Incantation of Unholyness" is off of one of Dawn's early demos

During these early years, the Swedish death metal scene figured prominently in Dawn's song writing. By their own admission, they made changes to their own style because of what bands like Eucharist and Entombed were doing. That said, Dawn didn't copy what was going on--for example, they didn't downtune their guitars as low as others did (and this contributed to their unique sound).

By late 1993, Dawn had recorded their debut album, Nær sólen gar niþer for evogher. They had signed a contract with Necropolis Records, who released the album in '94. According to Fredrik Söderberg, this wasn't truly black metal, but a combination of the various genres and styles that influenced the band. This included death metal, thrash metal, classic heavy metal, alternative, and classical. As a result, their sound was one that didn't fit neatly into a category. It bore the hallmarks of melodic Swedish death metal, but it also verged on melodic black metal in terms of style.

"Everflaming" is from Dawn's debut full-length album

A classic album, Dawn's debut established them as a force to be reckoned with in the world of extreme metal. But, all told, they were not 100% satisfied with Nær sólen, so they continued to grow as a band. Their stated goal was to make sure they didn't copy anyone else's sound. According to the band, they upped their rehearsal times, and took to touring more. As a result, the band evolved into a stronger, tighter outfit.

From their 1996 EP, this is "Sorrow Flew on Black Wings"

As a result, you can hear their sound progressing from their debut album, to their 1996 EP (Sorgh på svarte vingar fløgh), to their second full-length album, 1997's Slaughtersun. While their sound on their debut was closer to melodic death metal (think early Dark Tranquillity meets Necrophobic), by Slaughtersun, their sound had a grander feel. Carefully placed synths and epic guitar riffs gave their second album a more black metal feel. To my mind, this is an album that should be in conversation with Dissection's Storm of the Light's Bane.

From Slaughtersun, this is "The Knell and the World"

Since that album, there have been rumors about a third studio album, tentatively titled The Fourfold Furnace. While Fredrik has revealed that he's written guitar riffs for the album, and that an artist has worked on what might become its album cover, the band has not gotten around to recording this album. We'll see what the future holds.

Select Discography:

Demo 1 (1992)

Apparition (demo) (1992)

Promotional Demo (1993)

Nær sólen gar niþer for evogher (full-length)  (1994)

Sorgh på svarte vingar fløgh EP (1996)

Slaughtersun (Crown of the Triarchy) (full-length) (1998)

The Eternal Years (demo compilation) (2014)

Next time: RUDRA

Infernum

 

Heading back to Poland, we discover the mighty INFERNUM, a band second in importance only to Graveland and Behemoth in the Polish scene. Their story gets a little tricky because of competing visions of black metal and the existence of more than one band named Infernum...

While Graveland's Rob Darken was a member of Infernum, the band really is the brainchild of Grzegorz "Karcharoth" Jurgielewicz. A prolific musician who contributed mightily to Poland's black metal scene, he also wrestled with severe schizophrenia in his private life. 

An early 90s picture of Karcharoth

Infernum was formed in late 1992, and in these early days, Grzegorz went by Anextiomarus. He and drummer Balrog put out their first demo, The Dawn Will Never Come. After meeting and recruiting Darken, they put out a second demo, Damned Majesty, on which Darken played synths. Both of these demos were put out in 1993. Infernum played a raw, yet atmospheric, black metal on those early demos. 

"The Dawn Will Never Come" is actually off of the second demo

Shortly after the second demo, Capricornus took over on drums. This was the beginning of Graveland and Infernum sharing the same line-up: Darken, Anextiomarus (who was now going by "Karcharoth"), and Capricornus. This was also around the time that Infernum took the plunge into the political far-right world of National Socialism (Nazism). This involvement in the far-right was clearly an extension of Karcharoth's obsession with extreme evil.

By this time, Infernum had proven themselves on their demos, and so had attracted the interest of record labels. Polish label Astral Wings signed Infernum and agreed to pay for the recording sessions. The resulting album was the now-classic ...Taur-nu-Fuin..., an atmospheric, pagan-infused black metal masterpiece.

From that debut comes "In the Black Clouds of War"

Problems emerged after the release of the album. Karcharoth and Capricornus had written a veritable screed in the album's liner notes, and it was more or less Nazi rantings. This brought the band to the attention of the Polish authorities (as a country that bore the brunt of the Nazis' hate in WW2, it makes sense that the authorities would not take kindly to Nazi writings).

This was also around the same time that Karcharoth's schizophrenia emerged and began to make life difficult for him and his fellow Polish musicians. Karcharoth did continue to contribute to the Polish black metal scene--including playing bass for Graveland, and beginning to write and record the follow-up to ...Taur-nu-Fuin...--but he also became more erratic. This culminated in Karcharoth attempting to travel to Norway to kill Fenriz over some perceived slight.

Between episodes like this and harassment from the authorities, Karcharoth began to isolate himself from his former bandmates. His grip on reality began to get more and more tenuous, until he took his own life in 2004.

A pic of the classic Infernum line-up

In the early 2000s, there were two separate efforts to continue the work of Infernum. Darken and Capricornus took the already-recorded material and finished it, resulting in the 2005 album Farewell. Once that album was finished, they laid the band to rest. At the same time, Karcharoth recruited some musicians to be a totally new Infernum, and they recorded completely new material. This material did not emerge as an album (2006's The Curse) until after Karcharoth's suicide. This second incarnation of the band soldiered on for a few more years before ultimately calling it a day in 2009.

"Black March" is from the 'true' Infernum's final album, 2005's Farewell 

Select Discography:

The Dawn Will Never Come (demo) (1993)

Damned Majesty (demo) (1993)

...Taur-Nu-Fuin... (full-length) (1994)

Farewell (full-length) (2005)

When the Light Has Died (demo) (recorded 1996, released 2019)

Next time: DAWN

Hades

 

Formed by Jørn after his time in Old Funeral, Hades was perhaps one of the most important innovators of viking metal (after Enslaved) in the '90s. Hailing from Bergen, Jørn was joined by Remi at the band's formation in late 1991/early 1992.

Picking up Janto and Nagel to round out the band, Hades put out their now-famous demo, Alone Walkyng, in 1993. Focusing on atmosphere over speed, the clear influence of Bathory's viking period can be heard. According to Jørn, they wanted to make music inspired by their ancestors. Alone Walkyng ranks as a classic demo in Norwegian black metal. 

Here is the complete demo

The demo made quite a splash in the black metal world because of how different it sounded from the then-typical Norwegian sound. The band was courted by several labels, eventually signing with the just-formed Full Moon Productions. They then entered the studio to record their debut full-length album. The resulting album, ...Again Shall Be, stands out from the pack of 1994's Norwegian black metal because of its glorious mid-paced, epic songs. 

"Hecate (Queen of Flames)" is from their debut

Unfortunately, Jørn's non-musical activities began to impact the band. He had been involved with Varg Vikernes in church burnings, and the authorities caught up to him in late '93. He was convicted and sent to prison in early 1995. This obviously had an impact on the band's ability to continue their music-making activities.

Luckily, he and Hades were still able to collaborate in the writing of the next album. The album was recorded in 1996, and in 1997, Dawn of a Dying Sun was released. This album was in the vein of their debut, but the song writing was stronger. ...Again Shall Be was a fantastic album of second-wave Norwegian viking metal, but Dawn was a masterpiece.

"Awakening of Kings" comes from Hades's 1997 album

A mix of ripping black metal riffs and Hammerheart-inspired song structures, Dawn of a Dying Sun belongs in the collection of any black metal fan, right next to Enslaved's 90s work and Bathory's viking metal trilogy. Listen to "Awakening of Kings", above, to hear how the album deftly combines black metal that easily holds its own with the Norwegian classics and epic viking metal passages. Truly brilliant. 

Around this time, the American thrash band Hades became aware of the existence of Norway's Hades. For copyright reasons, they demanded a name change. The result was that Jørn and company became Hades Almighty. At the same time,  they also began exploring new ways to expand their black metal sound.  The resulting album, 1999's Millenium Nocturne, is a great progressive approach to black metal for the 21st century. 

"Warcry" is an awesome song from 1999's Millenium Nocturne

Since that change, the band has not been extremely prolific-- one full-length album (2001's Pulse of Decay) and an EP (2015's Pyre Era, Black!). So, we hold our breath awaiting a new release from these viking metal pioneers.

Here is the title track to their 2015 EP

Select Discography: 

Alone Walkyng (demo) (1993)

...Again Shall Be (full-length)  (1994)

The Dawn of the Dying Sun (full-length)  (1997)

(as Hades Almighty) Millenium Nocturne (full-length)  (1999)

(as Hades Almighty) The Pulse of Decay (full-length)  (2001)

(as Hades Almighty) Pyre Era, Black! EP (2015)

Next time: INFERNUM

Les Légions Noires: Vlad Tepes, and others

 

While Mütiilation may be the most well-known of the Black Legions bands, there are so many more worth noting. VLAD TEPES, from France's Brittany region, is perhaps the most noteworthy of the remaining Black Legions bands.

Formed some time around 1992, Vlad Tepes was composed of Vorlok Drakksteim and Wlad Drakksteim (no relation to each other). Taking their band name from the historic person that inspired Dracula, we can see the vampiric obsession of Les Légions Noires (LLM) continuing. Wlad was the primary song writer for Vlad Tepes, as Vorlok focused his song writing energies on side project Black Murder (see bottom of this entry). As far as inspiration goes, they've specifically mentioned Venom, Bathory's first four albums, and the early black metal of Burzum and Darkthrone. And those two Norwegian band are a good reference point for Vlad Tepes's sound: imagine Transilvanian Hunger and Filosofem in a blender, and you're pretty close.

This is the title track from their War Funeral March demo

Their first couple of demos were self-released, but the now-famous War Funeral March demo was issued by Full Moon Productions. A review of this release in a zine by FMP proprietor Thorns led to death threats from members of LLN! Most of the rest of Vlad Tepes's output was self-released demos that were never meant to see the light of day. 

"Wladimir's March/Massacre Song from the Devastated Lands" is from the split with Belkètre

The major exception were two split CDs: one with Torgeist and one with Belkétre. These were actually put out by real record labels and are some of the only officially sanctioned releases by LLN members. March to the Black Holocaust--the split with Belkètre--is lauded as some of the best work by LLN.

From the split with Torgeist, here is "Warmoon Lord"

Like many of the LLN bands, Vlad Tepes kind of burnt out around 1996-7. Their drive to create black metal music had fizzled out, so they disbanded. In the 2010s, much of Vlad Tepes's discography was re-released in box set, the most complete of which is 2018's  A Catharsis of Human Illness on Drakkar Productions.

Select Discography:

Rehearsal Winter '93 (demo) (1993)

War Funeral March (demo) (1994)

Return of the Unweeping (demo) (1994)

Celtic Poetry (demo) (1994)

Brouillons I (demo) (1995)

Brouillons II (demo) (1995)

Dans notre chute... (demo) (1995)

Massacre Song from the Devastated Lands (demo) (1995)

March to the Black Holocaust (split with Belkètre) (1995)

Black Legions Metal (split with Torgeist) (1996)

Morte lune (demo) (1996)

**********************************************************************

As well-known as Mütiilation and Vlad Tepes might be, BELKÈTRE might actually lay claim to being the spiritual heart of the LLN. Hailing from Dordogne in southwest France, they are perhaps the oldest band in LLN.

Arising from the ashes of earlier French black metal band ZELDA (who themselves seem to be a continuation of an even earlier band, CHAPEL OF GHOULS), Belkètre was the result of the collaboration between two major figures in LLN, Lord Aäkon Këëtrëh and Vordb Dréagvor Uèzréèvb (notice the names spelled in their invented language, Gloatre).

Like most of the bands in LLN, Belkètre released the majority of their music in limited fashion. Their demos allegedly only were intended for a small devoted circle, yet were able to make their way to the wide world in the firm of unauthorized bootlegs.

While their split with Vlad Tepes may be their best-known work, it is the album-length demo Ambre Zuèrkl Vuorhdrévarvtre which is their true masterpiece. Unlike their earlier work--which is nasty, cold, and vicious--much of Ambre's new material has an atmospheric feel that almost sounds like a rawer Strid, or an angry Xasthur. 

As with most other LLN bands, Belkètre ceased putting out material when the circle dissolved. Rumors circulated that the band members had killed themselves, and perhaps the band's bleak nihilism lent itself to that rumor. After all, Vordb did once say that "my works have no future in this world" because "creation...is purely human" and "[o]nly destruction is Satanic and eternal."

In its entirety, here are the Belkètre songs from their split with Vlad Tepes

Interestingly enough, Vordb has resurfaced in recent years with his own label (Kaleidarkness). New Bèlketre material has emerged, and old material has been re-issued.

Select Discography:

Studio Tracks (demo) (1993)

The Dark Promise (demo) (1994)

Twilight of the Black Holocaust (demo) (1994)

March to the Black Holocaust (split with Vlad Tepes) (1995)

Ambre Zuèrkl Vuorhdrévarvtre (demo) (1996)

Xèr.n O-r.iidr (demo) (1998)

**********************************************************************

One of the lesser bands from LLN that I think is worth listening to is TORGEIST. A product of the collaboration of multiple members from other projects (Lord Aäkon Këëtrëh, Vordb Dréagvor Uèzréèvb, Lord Beleth'rim, among others in its rotating line-up), it is debated by some whether or not Torgeist was actually an LLN project. It seems to meet all the criteria: made by LLN members, only active during the years LLN was active, only releasing obscure demos except for a split CD with an LLN band, and so on.

This is the title track from their first titled demo

Torgeist's sound is fairly typical of LLN black metal: raw, nasty, unpolished. That said, I'd say that the drum sound sets them apart, and the vocals seem angrier than most other LLN bands. All in all, I think of Torgeist as one of the better executed LLN projects, and probably more accessible to the casual black metal fan. 

"Flame of Hate" comes from their second titled demo

Select Discography:

Rehearsal '94 (demo) (1994)

Devoted to Satan (demo) (1994)

Time of Sabbath (demo) (1996)

Black Legions Metal (split with Vlad Tepes) (1996)

**********************************************************************

LLN had many other bands, not all of them black metal. Several dark ambient and dungeon synth projects counted themselves as members. In terms of black metal bands worth listening to that I haven't already mentioned, I recommend BRENORITVREZORKRE (a prolific side project of Vordb Dréagvor Uèzréèvb), BLACK MURDER (a project whose music was written when Vorlok Drakksteim "wanted to kill"), and SEVISS. 

Select Discography:

Black Murder, Promo '94 (demo) (1994)

---, Those Black Desires That Torment My Soul (demo) (1995)

---, Feasts (demo) (1996)

Brenoritvrezorkre, Vasagraèbe éakr vatrè brenoritvrezorkre (demo) (1995) 

---, Vèrmayaprèb (demo) (1995)

---, Nèvgzérya (demo) (1995)

---, Èrvoelbtre (demo) (1995)

Seviss, Armies of Metal (demo) (1995)

---, Et pleure le bâtard..., (demo) (1996)

Next time: HADES

Avenger

 

In the Czech black metal scene, the names of A-list bands like Master's Hammer, Root, and Maniac Butcher ring out. But just below them are bands like AVENGER. Hailing from the South Bohemian Region, they formed in 1992 as Astaroth before changing their name in 1993.

Announcing themselves to the world with demos like 1994's Minister of Madness, they began life as an old-school death metal band. Their sound was unremarkable in this regard, but the best was yet to come. 

Here is Minister of Madness in its entirety

They struggled getting off the ground because of their early line-up instability, but after some label interest, were able to put out their debut full-length album, 1997's Shadows of the Damned. Their sound was still fundamentally an old-school death metal style, but with some black metal elements mixed in (I maintain that some of the riffing in some of the songs would sound more like black metal with slightly different drumming laid underneath).

"Kořeny zla" comes from Shadows of the Damned

Their follow-up album was 1999's Fall of Devotion, Wrath and Blasphemy. The band was initially not happy with the album's sound, so they re-recorded it in 2001 at Hellsound, a studio owned and operated by band co-founder and primary song writer Honza Kapák. Whichever version you listen to, the change in sound from their first album is apparent. It's still a (mostly) death metal foundation, but with some black metal riffs and drumming. Sound-wise, it's as if old-school Swedish death and black metal collaborated. 

From their second full-length album, this is "V Okovech"

As the years passed, Avenger's sound began to incorporate more and more black metal elements. They've become known in metal circles for their blackened death metal style, but they call themselves "Bohemian dark metal" (even going so far as to release an album with that title in 2012). After the release of a sixth album in 2017, they disbanded--only to reform as a new band, Bohemyst.

From 2003's Godless, here is "Execution of the Soul"

Bohemian Dark Metal gives us "Fales a apatie"

Select Discography:

Pandemonium (demo) (1993)

Eternal Voices of Hell (demo) (1993)

Minister of Madness (demo) (1994)

The Black Zone (demo) (1995)

Shadows of the Damned (full-length)  (1997)

Fall of Devotion, Wrath and Blasphemy (full-length)  (1999/2001)

Godless (...Assuming the Throne of Immortality...) (full-length) (2003)

Feast of Anger, Joy of Despair (full-length)  (2009)

Bohemian Dark Metal (full-length) (2012)

Next time: FRANCE'S LES LÉGIONS NOIRES - VLAD TEPES

Gorgoroth

 

The early 90's Norwegian black metal scene is positively bursting at the seams with great bands. One band that got its start a little later than many of the classic bands is Bergen's GORGOROTH. 

Citing Bathory, Venom, and Celtic Frost as influences, Gorgoroth was formed in 1992 by Goat Pervertor, Hat (Norwegian for "Hate"), and Infernus--who would be the main force driving the band over the course of the years. They debuted with the now-classic demo, A Sorcery Written in Blood. This demo would earn them a record deal and be the start of their notoriety.

Off of their '93 demo, this is "Sexual Blood Gargling"

The band's limited contact with the members of the Inner Circle allowed them to perform at a live show in Oslo in tribute to Euronymous. It also allowed them to pick up Samoth (of Emperor fame) as a session bassist when they recorded their debut album, Pentagram.

Pentagram was a solid slab of Norwegian black metal. With a sound that holds its own next to early 90s Mayhem and Burzum, Pentagram has rightfully become a classic. Highlighted by Hat's demonic screeching, the album is 30-plus minutes of blazing evil black metal. Compared to some of the advances in black metal songwriting of more recent years, however, the album might sound dated to some, but it is crucial to the founding of the classic Norwegian sound. 

Pentagram gives us this classic, "Ritual"

After the release of Pentagram, Satyricon's Frost joined on drums, and Infernus took over on bass. The resulting album--1996's Antichrist--was a more varied, more atmospheric sound. With a dedication to Euronymous in the liner notes, this album pushed the classic black metal sound forward in a way comparable to Burzum's quartet of 90s albums.

The follow-up album (1997's Under the Sign of Hell) was perhaps the strongest and most well-received of Gorgoroth's so-called "classic trilogy". Featuring a more punishing production style than its predecessors, Under the Sign is now revered as a landmark in Norwegian black metal. 

"Heavens Fall" is off of Antichrist

From their 1997 album, this is "Krig"

The years immediately after the release of Under the Sign were chaotic ones for Gorgoroth. For one, they struggled to keep a stable line-up. Also, they struggled in the songwriting department as well. For example, their 1998 album Destroyer (with the Nietzschean subtitle About How to Philosophize With a Hammer) contained old songs that had never been put on record alongside newer ones. The personnel involved totaled ten individuals--including outgoing vocalist Pest and incoming vocalist Gaahl. The resulting album was a sloppily produced mess that has divided fans to this day. 2000's Incipit Satan wasn't much better, with electronic and industrial elements, and songs that didn't meet the exacting standards of many a fan. Both of these albums are considered among Gorgoroth's weakest. 

Here is the title track to 2000's Incipit Satan

Over the next few years, bassist King ov Hell would emerge as the primary song writer for Gorgoroth. This resulted in two albums that were a huge improvement over Destroyer and Incipit, but still had their own unique sound. Vocalist Gaahl served prison time for assault, and this delayed release of their albums, but he was still fully committed to Gorgoroth as well.

From their 2003 album, here is "Forces of Satan Storms"

In addition to Gaahl's jail time for assault (and the resulting publicity), two other major events in these years caused Gorgoroth's infamy to grow. First off, they recorded a concert in Poland in 2004 with the intent of marketing it as a live concert DVD, but things went sour. The authorities seized the footage because they alleged it violated Poland's "religious sensibilities" law. Of course, a blasphemous black metal band  performing live SHOULD violate people's "religious sensibilities"! The DVD did eventually go on sale as Black Mass Krakow.

Second, a rift developed in the band with Gaahl and King ov Hell on one side and Infernus on the other. Each side claimed to be the true Gorgoroth, with the dispute eventually going to court. The courts decided for Infernus, and he recruited new members and has continued the band to this day.

"Satan - Prometheus" is a song off of the first album of Infernus-driven/post-Gaahl Gorgoroth, 2009's Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt

Select Discography:

A Sorcery Written in Blood (demo) (1993)

Pentagram (full-length) (1994)

Antichrist (full-length) (1996)

Under the Sign of Hell (full-length) (1997)

Destroyer (full-length) (1998)

Incipit Satan (full-length)  (2000)

Twilight of the Idols - In Conspiracy With Satan (full-length) (2003)

Ad Majorem Sathanas Gloriam (full-length) (2006)

Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt (full-length) (2009)

Next time: AVENGER

Abigail

 

Heading back to the far east, let us talk about the Japanese black metal scene. In the tradition of great black/thrash like Sabbat, we have the ever-irreverent ABIGAIL. Taking their name from a King Diamond album and song, Tokyo's Abigail is primarily the brainchild of metal maniac Yasuyuki (who also goes by the name Barbatos).

Formed around 1991-92, Abigail originally played covers of bands like Venom, Mötorhead, and Slayer. Other than those bands, they cite as their influences older bands like Bathory, Sodom, Hellhammer/Celtic Frost, NME, and Bulldozer. Even on their early demos (a 1992 untitled demo and 1993's Blasphemy Night), their raw black/thrash bore the mark of those influences. Heck, two of the tracks on Blasphemy Night are covers (Sodom and Bathory).

Here is 1993's Blasphemy Night

In 1993 Abigail entered the studio to record their first official release. The result was 1994's Descending From a Blackend Sky, on Heretic Supremacist Records. A 7-inch, this EP showcases that raw, in-your-face black/thrash of their early years. Stylistically, it's got thrash metal structure, but with lo-fi second-wave black metal intensity. Check it out, below: 

And here's where things began to get interesting. In 1996, Abigail churned out their first full-length album, Intercourse & Lust, on Modern Invasion records. This began Abigail's obsession with sex. To them, part of the appeal of black metal was its transgression of so many social norms: its Satanism, its evil, its non-conformity, its lustiness. In fact, Yasuyuki has said in multiple interviews that he sometimes uses porn as inspiration. One interviewer has gone so far as to call them "the sluttiest band in black metal".

"Confound Eternal" comes from that first album

Since that first album, Abigail has been very prolific. EPs, 7-inches, live albums....Abigail has released it all. One reason for so many smaller releases and live albums is that, even by Yasuyuki's own admission, the band says yes to pretty much every offer from record labels.

2003's Forever Street Metal Bitch gives us this track, "Black Metal Thunder"

To this day, they are known for their raw, vicious black/thrash (even though they call their own music "street metal"). Fast, intense, and unapologetic, fans of well-executed black/thrash owe it to themselves to check out Abigail.

"Satanik Metal Fucking Hell" is off of 2005's Ultimate Unholy Death

2016's The Final Damnation gives us "Open the Gates of Hell"

(Very) Select Discography:

Demo (1992)

Blasphemy Night (demo) (1993)

Descending from a Blackend Sky EP (1994)

Abigail (split EP with Funeral Winds) (1995)

Intercourse & Lust (full-length)  (1996)

Confound Eternal 7" (1996)

Welcome All Hell Fuckers EP (2001)

Sexual Metal Holocaust 12" (split with Barbatos) (2002)

Forever Street Metal Bitch (full-length)  (2003)

Fucking Louder Than Hell (full-length)  (2004)

Ultimate Unholy Death (full-length) (2005)

Next time: GORGOROTH