Burial Hordes - Incendium (2014) Review

Album | Incendium
Country | Greece
Genre | Black Metal
Label | Hellthrasher Productions

I could not envisage the evolution of this band from their previous material the last eight or nine years, judging mainly from their other two full length albums. They are raw and unforgiving, ravaging upon the familiar patterns of the genre and leaving the expected, used but still welcome impact. However, the last split release with Enshadowed had something to show for the band and with their new album Incendium it's in broad daylight. They have changed their sound into something more orthodox and Scandinavian, adopting a couple of their most classy characteristics that really work any time / any place, if played honestly.

The musical structure of the album does not stray from the path that was hatefully conceived by the legendary, colossal bands of the genre, the ones that I dare not say their name. Powerful and melodic riffing is dominant in every song, very much flourishing from Swedish melody and Deathspell Omega intelligence kind of roots and there is not a single non-intense moment in it's entirety. Apart from the highly toxic guitar lines, the ghoulish vocals are are also skillful and competent, focusing on harsh screams as well as deep growls. For the most part, they differ from the regular and really high pitched screaming of black metal, even though they have the correct tone.

As I already said, the feeling Incendium leans a lot towards northern black metal of the twenty first century, in terms of sound and compositional variety. To that conclusion aids the fact that the mixing and mastering of the album was done at Endarker Studio in Sweden, it seems like more and more bands choose certain locations for their album's editing, we all now the Swedish know the way like the palm of their hand. Since the tracks probably sound like something else you have already heard, I guarantee they don't grow boring any time during the album, as they are still wealthy and well written. As for the drums, they're systematic and accurate, filling the parts with pleasing blasts when needed.

Incendium lasts as much as I enjoy an album in terms of length, which is mostly between forty and forty five minutes. The first three tracks are fast paced and aggressive, except for a part in "Nailed Curse" which is slower brutally painful, such as the parts I really like. There are also middle paced moments like in "Path of Bloodshed" while there is a priest prayer in "Scorned", the longest track in the record. The slow moments of the self-titled track were something I enjoyed quite a lot from the whole album, and the tracks "Abomination and "Black Shrouds of Depravity" contain riffs that remind a lot, maybe a bit more than the rest, of Swedish black metal.

Lastly, this is one hell of an album cover. That baphomet figure at the top of the wretched building and all the demons torturing mortals is really wonderful and people should not ask for anything less than such and associated concepts, we're not in the -take a photo and make it ridiculously black and white to be used as a cover- era anymore. You are neither Transylvanian nor hungry, artistic covers are appreciated and I thank Burial Hordes for that. Incendium is a solid album that gains in entertainment what it lacks in originality, it's respectfully atmospheric and I consider it a step up from what the band had us used with.

DAMAGE: 8/10

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Blodsgard - Monument (2013)

September 30th, 2013
The Oath

| Imploding stars and all life devoured |

Many have disproved the notion that the Norwegian scene still holds the king's scepter of European black metal, especially with the rising artillery of countries like Germany and France these years, or the ongoing, steady quality scene of Sweden. Most of the old bands have transformed into something alternate, they have chosen other musical paths or simply lost the flame that burned their young souls twenty years ago, whereas the new bands don't always deliver something as captivating as their ancestors, with few but significant exceptions.

One exception is this band from Oslo, which mainly consists of two members and their debut full length album Monument appears to be one of the very best albums of the year. I first came across Blodsgard with their 2010 Promo and more importantly, the Solve Et Coagula EP/demo they released in 2011. I remember being blown away by their prodigious sound and I was eager to listen to more by them, which sadly led to a dead end, since they had not released anything else apart from a 2008 demo which was nowhere to be found then.

In Solve Et Coagula, there are tracks that describe the very definition of the genre, with tremendous, hammering power at full extent and therefore I gave it spins all the time, to supress my need for something complete by them. My eyes bled happiness when I saw the cover of Monument (and what a nice cover that is, done by Mark Cooper) several months before it's release date, when they announced that they had almost finished the long, five year work on the new album.

A work that included re-recordings, rearrangements, remixings, small improvements on various parts of the album, since the band had all the time they needed in their own studio, with no rush or anxiety. Monument contains eight tracks, four of which are remastered versions of the ones in the EP, while all the drumming in here is programmed, even though they do have found a drummer by now. Lyrics are all in Norwegian by Stein Akslen, but English translations are provided by the band.

The ceremony begins with a sample introduction of rain and thunder, into the first track "Pakallelsen", which blasts into the angry, agressive and furious ear assault via a pure Norwegian aesthetic. The production is phenomenal, offering the perfect instrument balance and a demolishing, cutthroating sound. I adore the devastating vocals of Fredrik Rex, which are not simple, studio made screams. They hold a definitive rage, showing wonderful competence and character. The next two tracks, "Mentalt minefelt" and "Sjeler vil brenne", are both very precious gemstones.

I can't remember the last time I was overwhelmed that much by new extreme music of their country, if not extreme music in general. It's black metal executed with precision and profound care. The fourth "Hagalls sirkel" continues on the same cataclysmic pace, adding a beautiful synth-like melody in the middle of the song, something that defines its supremacy. There is a relentless bombardment of amazing riffs and blast beats everywhere and it is intense as it can be. The second half of the album, tracks 5 to 8, is notably slower, without missing it's speedy and energetic parts.

The self-titled track starts off with a sorrowful, clean guitar introduction and whispering vocals, before a church organ and distorted guitar are ventilated into it. The drums are almost non-existent here, making the track a chanting hymn that adds to the overall darkness. The beginning of "Livet er avlyst" is pure dungeon-like ambient, before exploding into a ferocious attack of blast beats, cutting riffs and merciless vocals. The song is a coalescence between dreamy ambient with agonizing black metal, as if the calm and the storm were fused into one piece.

"Kaoskonstruksjorn" sets off with a sound of horns and it's as savaging as the previous tracks, consisting of two heavy and two calmer parts. The last track "Svart blod flyter" was originally called "Mitt blod flyter" but changed, and it's the longest on the album, clocking up to nine minutes. It's middle paced and dreadful, with various piano / synth lines, clean singing and piteous melodies, while the lyrics are equally depressing. It ends with rain and thunder sounds, similar to the way it started, as a farewell to the listener.

I would not be exaggerating if I said that this will be the best black metal album of the year. It's sophisticated, well-constructed, diverse and rich in musical variety, with a fascinating mixture of ideas that makes them shine among lookalike bands. It gives them their own sound, which not only touches brilliance, but also makes them memorable and unique.

Coming from the dark, northern corner of the earth, from the solitary minds of two indivuals possessed by the essence of their craft, they have sculpted a masterpiece with enough screaming anger for you to embrace, as well as ambient passages to bemoan upon. This band is young and full of ideas, it has the means and the tools to create music, it's shimmering potential can't go unnoticed.

DAMAGE: 9.75/10

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Bohemian Grove - Age Of Retrogression (2008)

Album: Age Of Retrogression
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Hyperblasted Records
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Myspace

There are some greek bands like this (or this, for example) that have kept their personalities in the down low, very few people know what's up with them. And since i can't find information about the band itself, here is the definition of Bohemian Grove:

Bohemian Grove is a 2,700-acre (1,100 ha) campground located at 20601 Bohemian Avenue, in Monte Rio, California, belonging to a private San Francisco-based men's art club known as the Bohemian Club. In mid-July each year, Bohemian Grove hosts a two-week, three-weekend encampment of some of the most powerful men in the world. (Wikipedia)

The music is really good though, and that's why i crawled out of my room to look for the album. They have also released an EP and its interesting as hell. Both albums are available for download at their label's website, which is apparently their label. You can follow this link.

Ps:  1. The tag is wrong for the fourth track, the name is "Age of Retrogression" and not "Upon A Human Grove". I would be sorry about it, but hey, "never be sorry".
       2. Only 17 days to the new Game of Thrones season. You should check a new series called Vikings as well.

Borgne - IV (2009)

Album: IV

Genre: Ambient / Depressive Black Metal

Label: Sepulchral Productions

Website: Facebook

Interesting project by the guy that also plays drums at the greek band Kawir, they have put out some albums but i think this and their last two are the shit. The music follows the yawning black metal style, where the songs are long and deeply atmospheric, it generally is the best music to put at a gathering of friends or a party. Still, i enjoy listening to the good bands when i get in the mood to. I don't think its their best release, but its a great way to start listening to them.

Bathory - Blood On Ice (1996) [2003 Pressing]

Album: Blood On Ice 

Genre: Viking Metal

Label: Black Mark Production
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Myspace

For the record, Dead had met Quorthon but he didn't like him that much because he was a poser. Furthemore, Quorthon later stated that the first Bathory albums were failures and the real Bathory started after Hammerheart. Just some interesting facts to look back to now, about twenty years later or something, knowing how everything happened.

Tagging this album was a pain in the ass. I was aware of the fact that i had the re-press that was done in 2003, with the same compositions as 9 songs instead of the original 10 The Woodwoman and The Lake are contained in one song, same with Intro and Blood On Ice). However, my rip had 10 songs with completely wrong titles, so i retagged the whole album. I double checked it afterwards, still if you notice something weird, give a shout.

As for "Blood On Ice" itself, it is one of my favourite Viking era Bathory albums, if not my favourite. It has some classic songs in it and provokes this epic and cold atmosphere without a whole zoo animal orchestra and all kinds of extraordinary musical instruments behind it, as.... Well, as every viking metal band does today.

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Abazagorath & Blood Storm - Ancient Entities Arise (2008) [Split]

Country: USA
Genre: Black Metal
Label: Elegy Records
Website: Myspace / Myspace

I grabbed this EP mainly for Abazagorath, in the long run i figured out im glad i checked Blood Storm too. Their debut "The Atlantean Dragon" is really a piece of art, the fact that its pretty unknown makes even more amazing, you should listen for yourselves.

As for this EP, it is american black metal, with its good moments and downsides, in case you already have an opinion on the subject, ignore this. Both sides are equally listenable, there is nothing horrible in here, they are not taking things to the edge, instead they stick to the typical lines for black metal and succeed.

Behemoth - Evangelion (2009)

Country: Poland
Genre: Black / Death Metal
Label: Nuclear Blast
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Facebook / Myspace

Behemoth have worked very much through the years, they have created their own unique sound, they are one of the biggest names in the industry, i think they deserve it. "Evangelion" is a brilliant album that lacks nothing, it follows all my preferences in extreme music, in terms of lyrical content, artwork, music etc...

Nergal's anti-religious attitude has caused a lot of talking around them, his views haven't changed despite the attacks of random churches and their followers, its nice to see bands that annoy them so much to get that popular.