Sterrenpracht

Ghremdrakk is a Belgian black metal band formed in 2002, Sterrenpracht is their first demo from 2005, the title translating to "Splendour of the Stars". This is another demo I could have posted months ago when I first started this blog, regardless, Sterrenpracht has to be one of my favorite demos. Without a lengthy introduction the album immediately kicks off with the highlight track, "De Sfeer Van Daath", a nearly thirteen minute journey into death and glory. There are some amazing moments to be found in this album, but I can't help to be so partial to the first song, there are two other tracks to follow that I find to be successful as well. With lyrical themes dealing with Satanic devotion and death worship, the focus of this group is very concentrated and pure, the way black metal is supposed to be. I highly recommend this album to all fans of black metal wide and far, especially those with occult interests and an undying devotion to Satan... As quoted from the text in the inlay: "Black Mystic Art Glorifying His Mystery And Embodying Sacred Darkness".


1. De Sfeer Van Daath
2. Doodsbidders
3. Geselvaart
4. Doorheen De Nevel Der Sterren
5. Nachtelijke Fanfare
6. Wegen Onzer God
7. Naar De Kring
8. Craeyeveld

Sterrenpracht

Dawn That Shall Never Be Seen

When it comes to demos, especially those pertaining to the initial debut of the artist, you end up with either a mistake or an experience that stays genuine to the spirit it was meant to portray. In this case, Kadotus released this demo in 2002 as their first, and in my humble opinion it may as well be their best demo to date. Three really quick songs featured here, the first and last of which being my personal favorites, with emphasis on the final track. I've featured Kadotus earlier on this blog, but in retrospect I found this to be a better display of their sinister aura, a solid demo.


1. Vulture
2. Dawn That Shall Never Be Seen
3. Ikuisuuden Surma

Dawn That Shall Never Be Seen

Ungeziefer

Sadly, I avoided posting this for the sheer fact that I can name about five different blogs that have already featured this, yet at the same time I have been listening to this demo for so long that I couldn't avoid it any longer. "Ungeziefer" is the only demo thus far for Cendres, a one man black metal project from France, Cendres is French for "ashes". This is a very trance inducing demo and accomplishes such through decadent atmospheres that range from warping darkness to beautiful isolation, in particular the outro to the title track is quite stunning. The album immediatelty catches you from the start, and the entire journey is filled with nightmares that are both rotting and breathing with sickness. This is seriously a must for fans of misanthropic and obscure black metal.

1. Aliénation
2. Libération de l'âme
3. Ruine
4. La troublante danse du pendu
5. Ungeziefer

Ungeziefer

Some Thousand Lies

It isn't often that I post an album from this year, but considering how goddamn good this is, I have to introduce this 2010 release. Winter Funeral is a two piece black metal band from France, formed in 1996, this is their newest full length titled Some Thousand Lies. An idealistic display of French black metal that is both provoking and epic, if you can't hear the power behind these riffs, than you're... just an idiot, really. This is what I desire in black metal anymore, and honestly Winter Funeral really pulls it off and makes the whole experience shine with force. The inside of the booklet states: "We are nothing, nobody, we do not exist! Do not try to contact us!" Those words alone exemplify their worth, as the proof is here within these tunes, this is true underground the way it was meant to be... for Satan.

1. Some Thousand Lies

2. The Curse of Annihilation

3. Messe for a Mass Grave

4. Ceremonial Prologue

5. Ceremonial Part I

6. The One Against Christianity

7. Ceremonial Part II

Some Thousand Lies