Vinyl

Gatefold LP (black vinyl) with padded inner sleeve and protection sleeve

LIMBONIC ART are back! Their ninth full-length "Opus Daemoniacal" is black as a raven, fierce as a wolf, majestic as an eagle, and mighty as the legendary Norwegian black metal pioneers that mastermind, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist Vidar "Daemon" Jensen founded in 1993 have always been. "Opus Daemoniacal" continues along the more straightforward black metal path that the Norwegian has chosen for his last releases yet this album also deliberately harks back to the dense atmospheric and cinematic feel of LIMBONIC ART's groundbreaking early works. After having turned into a duo, the debut album "Moon in the Scorpio" was released in 1996 via Nocturnal Art Productions – the label of EMPEROR guitarist Samoth aka Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen. Their at the time quite unique combination of harsh Nordic black metal with cinematic elements inspired by romantic and classic orchestral music proved extremely influential in the following years. With their sophomore full-length "In Abhorrence Dementia" (1997) and the third album "Epitome of Illusions" (1998) LIMBONIC ART gradually reduced the symphonic elements of their sound. In February 2003, the duo broke up, but Daemon reformed the band in 2006. He continued to release the LIMBONIC ART albums "Phantasmagoria" (2010) and "Spectre Abysm" (2017). "Opus Daemoniacal" connects the present to the early sound of the Norwegian cult act, which is bound to appeal to friends of their first albums as well as to a new generation of classic Norse black metal connoisseurs.

Black Vinyl in normal sleeve + Insert &  A2 Poster

LTD to 150 copies worldwide

Dystopia proudly presents their fourth full length album titled: «De Verboden Diepte I: Veldslag op de Rand van de Wereld». An album that takes you on a journey of Black Metal fury mixed with beautiful post-like atmospheric influences and combined with less obvious instruments like the trumpets.

“De Verboden Diepte I” offers a wide variation on sound and goes from fast black metal blasting to mellow atmospheric passages back to devastating headbang moments in an even somewhat pagan style here and there (like Enslaved). The guitars are strong and clear throughout the album giving them moments of beautiful melodies as well as some old school chord riffing. The drums are also a piece of variation from the standard blasting to more extended playful drum parts where the bass is being added like a pounding machine filling up the gaps with some nice bass solos and it gives the drums that extra touch on the low end. The most remarkable instrument on this album must be the trumpet who delivers some very nice background melodies and atmosphere which lifts the album to a whole other level, combined with the wide range of the vocals who variate between different screams and even clean vocals makes the song structures unbelievable majestic!

Dystopia has delivered an album that is simply beautiful, yet aggressive, powerful, yet calming. A masterpiece within its very own genre! A must have to every fan of Old School Black Metal, Atmospheric Black Metal and even Post or Pagan Black Metal.

Recommended if you like: Darkthrone, Emperor, Enslaved, Fluisteraars, Summoning, Wolves in the Throne Room, Elffor, Obliteration, Grey Aura, Terzij de Horde, Dodecahedron, 
 

Black Vinyl in normal sleeve + Insert &  A2 Poster LTD to 150 copies worldwide
Gurthang is back and ready to unleash their 8th studio album entitled: “Martyrium”. Like the 2 previous albums “Hearts of the Hollow and Ascension”, they keep moving forth in the same direction where they mix Black Metal with Doom Metal and a lot of ambient background effects making their sound original and outstanding from any other band.

Martyrium however, gives more depth on the guitar parts and delivers some excellent leads that have strong chords, melodies and even a couple of solos. The rhythm guitar brings the same filthy vile sound like we’re used to, where the bass is once again very powerful, harsh, yet, even got a few moments to shine on its own on this record. The drums are well-executed and elevate each song to a higher level by its ferocious diversity it lays down throughout the record and the vocals deliver the same haunted screams which kind of marks the sound of the band.

With their 8th album, Gurthang shows us that they’re far from done and still have a lot of cards up their sleeve. A solid album for those who love a good portion of Black / Doom Metal. 

Recommended if you like: Behemoth, Hate, Azarath, Blaze Of Perdition, Ascension, Vader, Infernal War, etc..

Opaque Mustard / Black Swirl Vinyl with Insert & A2 Poster  ltd 150
Gurthang is back and ready to unleash their 8th studio album entitled: “Martyrium”. Like the 2 previous albums “Hearts of the Hollow and Ascension”, they keep moving forth in the same direction where they mix Black Metal with Doom Metal and a lot of ambient background effects making their sound original and outstanding from any other band.

Martyrium however, gives more depth on the guitar parts and delivers some excellent leads that have strong chords, melodies and even a couple of solos. The rhythm guitar brings the same filthy vile sound like we’re used to, where the bass is once again very powerful, harsh, yet, even got a few moments to shine on its own on this record. The drums are well-executed and elevate each song to a higher level by its ferocious diversity it lays down throughout the record and the vocals deliver the same haunted screams which kind of marks the sound of the band.

With their 8th album, Gurthang shows us that they’re far from done and still have a lot of cards up their sleeve. A solid album for those who love a good portion of Black / Doom Metal. 

Recommended if you like: Behemoth, Hate, Azarath, Blaze Of Perdition, Ascension, Vader, Infernal War, etc..

A classic death metal album from 1992 repressed!!

Along with Feretrum's From Far Beyond and Necrophiliac's Chaopula: Citadel Of Mirrors, Nest of Affliction is one of the very first death metal albums to come out of Spain.
 

Re-issue with original cover art of the 1st album from '92 by this swedish Death Metal band in the vein of SORCERY, NECROPHOBIC, DISMEMBER, MORPHEUS...

***GBH's debut album is the near perfect example of what happened after the promise of 1977 punk and post-punk petered out: faster, fuzzier tempos that incorporated lightning-fast guitar licks and a greater volume to put the point across. The mingling of Marshall stacks and "screw you" attitudes lead to the creation of one the best UK Punk/Hardcore albums of all times. The PNV version features deluxe loaded packaging: Newly redesigned heavy gatefold sleeves, liner notes, extensive period photos and poster.

Death metal, atmospheric dissonance, tech brutality and much more from Vancouver band

Follow up to the successful full length debut Apexapien from 2021

For fans of Ulcerate, Suffocation, Gorguts, Afterbirth, Dying Fetus, Decapitated

Uncompromising black/death metal from Copenhagen

The follow-up to 2022’s breakout debut A Mother’s Curse

Features a guest appearance by Michael Poulsen (Volbeat, Dominus)

Odium is a name that hasn't been talked about much in the symphonic black metal scene. Formed in 1994, the Norwegian band didn't release much besides a demo, a single, and their only studio album "The Sad Realm of the Stars". The 1998 album received little recognition when it was first released since it was seen as more of a Limbonic Art knockoff. However, when you give the album a listen, you'll see that it's more than just a cheap ripoff of Limbonic Art. Not only does it expand upon the Limbonic Art sound, but it also stands out in its own ways.

Let's start off with the instruments. As I've stated before, the instrumentals take large inspiration from Limbonic Art, but it does have its own merits. The guitars sound more raw, but still maintain a clean production to fit the symphonic themes. Speaking of which, the symphonic elements are easily one of the strongest elements on this album. The keyboards sound beautiful with its melodic tunes, and gives the overall atmosphere a grand theatrical tone. One instrument I find a bit weak though is the drums. It's decent it terms of the blastbeats it plays, but the production softens the loud banging a bit, so it feels weak. Some of my favorite instrumentals come from the tracks "Towards the Forest Horizon", "Thy Eternal Nightfall", and "The Sad Realm of the Stars", since those tracks execute the symphonic themes the strongest and have some powerful riffs. While the drumming can feel weak, every other instrument does not fail in bringing in an epic and dramatic atmosphere.

Another great thing about the album is the vocals. Sechtdaemon does the vocals here, and he stands out in his own ways. Sechtdaemon's high shrieks sound very angry, and the occasional demonic screams only further enhances the evil personality in him. One of the stronger vocal moments is from the track "Through the Sorrowfilled Forest". The album goes for a more abrasive and chaotic tone, so the guitar riffs have more darker sounds and the symphonic synths have a more grim tone in them. This fits perfectly well with the vocals, as the shrieks flow well to the cold instruments and further execute the grand atmosphere. Sechtdaemon's vocals are excellent in flow and delivery, and his vocal skills are right up there with Ihsahn of Emperor.

Overall, this is an album that will surprise a lot of people, especially since it's a lot more than just Limbonic Art worship. The symphonic elements strengthen the cold and dark atmosphere, and the vocals have a strong delivery and execution. Odium would go on a hiatus shortly after the release of the "Altering the State of Being" single, and they only just recently reignited the band. It's unknown of the band is gonna make new music, but as of now, "The Sad Realm of the Stars" is an album I highly recommend for those seeking an unique take on the Limbonic Art sound.

Slater922, July 8th, 2021 - METAL ARCHIVES

Reprint, 500x heavyweight neon violet 12" in a black poly-lined innersleeve, gatefold jacket full-color printed on 350g carton, all assembled in a plastic overbag.

Reprint, 500x red opaque with heavy white & black splatters 12" (140g) in a microtene innerbag, printed innersleeve, full-color on 220g, jacket, full-color printed on 350g, lyrics sheet, all assembled in a plastic overbag.