Argentum

An obscure band on the global scale, perhaps, but Mexico's ARGENTUM--from the city of Monterrey--is a major band in that country's black metal scene. I would even go so far to say that only Xibalba Itzaes is more important when it comes to a discussion of Mexican black metal.

Originally formed in 1989 as Burial, like many extreme bands of the late 80s, they played a more death metal-oriented style than black metal. As Burial, they managed to put out a couple of now very hard-to-find demos that showcased their old school sound. But, like many extreme metal bands of this era who were in their early years of existence, Burial experienced several lineup changes that also led to changes in their sound. This, in turn, led to them changing their name to Argentum in 1991.

1993's Matter Misericordiae is the first demo under the name Argentum

Argentum's initial sound still contained elements of death metal, but there was a very mystical, occultic atmosphere to their music. Combining doom metal with this old-school black/death, Argentum had a sound that not too many other bands had at the time (perhaps Mystifier is a fair point of reference?). Their first demo (Matter Misericordiae), above, is a solid example of this sound.

Misericordiae and a live demo later that year (1993) led to Argentum's name becoming more well-known in the underground. Still struggling with finding dedicated musicians, a new demo emerged after additional line-up changes as well as further evolutions in Argentum's sound. On 1994's Exothaernium, Argentum is moving away from the old-school black/death of the Burial years and toward a doom/death style with occultic black metal influences. I would say that the evil mysticism in their sound is reminiscent of some of the slower, more dirge-like elements of classic hellenic black metal.

"Ad postumum" is from Exothaernium 

After their 1994 demo and a noteworthy EP,  Argentum released their true masterpiece: 1996's Ad Interitum Funebrarum. On this album, Argentum's style reached its peak. A doomy, mystical affair that has been compared to Mystifier or even Tiamat, we've got long, gloomy passages with creative keyboard usage. With lots of Latin and eerie vocals, the overall effect is one that calls to mind dark Satanic rituals performed in abandoned temples.

From their 1996 album, this is "Spheram de Tenebras"

After that album, things in the band kind of ground to a halt. They went on hiatus in 1997 before breaking up in 2001. They have, however, re-formed in the past few years and are as prolific as ever.

Select Discography:

Burial  (demo) (1990) (as Burial)

Demo '91 (demo) (1991) (as Burial)

Matter Misericordiae (demo) (1993)

Live in Monterrey (live demo) (1993)

Exothaernium (demo) (1994)

Insious Omnium Rerum EP (1995)

Ad Interitum Funebrarum (full-length) (1996)

Next time: BLACK FUNERAL

Mystifier

After Sarcofago, Salvador's MYSTIFIER is probably the best-known Brazilian black metal band. Beelzeebubth (guitars/bass) decided to form the band after his stint with groups like Death Vomit and Putrefaction, gathering other musicians together to create blasphemous music under the black metal label.  After rehearsals and small local shows, Mystifier put out the Tormenting the Holy Trinity demo.

"Possession" is a song from the Tormenting the Holy Trinity demo

Unlike other old-school black metal bands from Brazil (Sarcofago, Holocausto, etc.), Mystifier's sound was not stereotypically Brazilian.  It was not the raw thrash-influenced style heard on such classics as I.N.R.I. or Campo De Exterminio. Instead, Mystifier's sound was steeped in something more eerie, more occultic, more....mystical. Tormenting the Holy Trinity caught the attention of not just black metal fans in South America, but record labels. But instead of signing with a label, Mystifier kept on toiling in the underground, releasing a single (1990's "The Evil Ascenscion Returns") and another demo (1991's Aleister Crowley).  They then signed with the label Hellion Records to release the 1992 album Wicca.

From Wicca, this is "Mystifier (Satan's Messengers)"

Mystifier's eerie and atmospheric sound continued to gain them attention around the world.  They signed with Osmose Productions and subsequently released 1993's Goetia.  This album was a continuation of their early sound, but showed signs of maturity.  Possessed of a style all their own, Mystifier marched forward with their evil sound.  Following Goetia, they released such cult albums as 1996's The World Is So Good That Who Made It Doesn't Live Here, 1999's Demystifying the Mystified Ones For a Decade in the Earthly Paradise, and 2001's Profanus.

"Caerimonia Sanguilentu (Goetia)" is from 1993's Goetia

From their 1996 album, this is "The Death of an Immortal"

"Superstitious Predictions of Misfortune" is off of Profanus

As can be heard with their somewhat more recent material, Mystifier is not afraid to take chances with their black metal.  They occasionally incorporate clean vocals, odd rhythms, and even riffing that doesn't resemble typical black metal.  That being said, they're still a dark and evil band that has hugely impacted world black metal well beyond the borders of their native Brazil.

Select Discography

Tormenting the Holy Trinity (demo)(1989)

Aleister Crowley (demo)(1991)

Wicca (full-length)(1992)

Goetia (full-length)(1993)

The World Is So Good That Who Made It Doesn't Live Here

(full-length) (1996)

Demystifying the Mystifed Ones for a Decade in the Earthly Paradise EP (1999)

Profanus (full-length) (2001)

Next time: DARKTHRONE'S EARLY YEARS