Dark Space III

Darkspace is an atmospheric ambient black metal project from Switzerland that revolves entirely around the concepts of deep space. Of the three members, Wroth, Zorgh, and Zhaaral, we have "Wroth" also known as Tobias Möckl of the masterpiece black metal project Paysage d'Hiver. Darkspace has just three full length albums which began in 2003, each song progressing in chronological order with the same track titles, Dark 1.1, Dark 1.2, and so on and so forth. This is their third album, from 2008, and in my humble opinion (and the sole purpose of this post) III is their best material to date. Being cautious with my next statement I will say, with an attempt to not say something irrevocable, that "Dark Space III" by Darkspace is nearly a perfect black metal album all the way through. Depending on your sensibilities this could be a masterpiece or a yawn fest, but if your heart and soul thrive in the darkness this might as well lyrically and conceptually revolve around evil, death, mysticism, necromancy, and the blackest forests. Saying Darkspace only writes about space is only relevant to ones perception, the feelings achieved while immersing yourself in these hymns is absolutely majestic and utterly glorious. The guitar riffs featured here are some of the most top notch examples of what black metal is supposed to convey, this is legendary and infinite, the sub zero temperatures of the void of outer space is empathised within this album. Without saying too much, let me just give this my highest recommendation, Darkspace is for anyone who enjoys truly massive atmospheres that are as timeless as they are epic.


1. Dark 3.11
2. Dark 3.12
3. Dark 3.13
4. Dark 3.14
5. Dark 3.15
6. Dark 3.16
7. Dark 3.17

III Part I
III Part II

Conspiracy Against Christianity

This is a split album from 1996, both bands are from Germany and play cold black metal. The main reason I am posting this is for the first band, Nightwolf, the only available material from this artist can be only found on this tape. The first real song is where it's at, "Twilight of the Night (Dusk)" really hits the nail on the head and achieves a very orthodoxical black metal feeling. Nightwolf really surprised me on this release and ended up being very epic sounding in my opinion. As for Ravenclaw, this is technically a side project of the vocalist from Moonblood, it goes without say that Moonblood was his superior project. Ravenclaw isn't bad though, in fact there are a few enjoyable moments by him on here as well (albeit somewhat slower than Moonblood and relying on programmed drums instead), but for the most part I wanted to share this album for the rarity that is Nightwolf. Also, the title track and literal split song shared between both collaborating bands ends up as being one of the albums highlights overall. For fans of raw sounding nocturnal German black metal.

Nightwolf

1. Intro
2. Twilight of the Night (Dusk)
3. Kingdom of Hate
4. Night without Return
5. The Shadows of the ancient Fog are Rising
6. Dawn
7. Outro
8. Conspiracy Against Christianity (Split Song by Both Bands)

Ravenclaw

9. Destroyer
10. On the Throne of Fire
11. The Prophecy Comes True
12. Necromancy
13. White Pigeons Fly Nevermore
14. I Hail the Night
15. An Everlasting Fire Burns our Souls

Conspiracy Against Christianity

Baphe Metis

Black Majesty is an occult black metal band from Norway, formed in 2005, this is his first demo "Baphe Metis" from 2007. Entirely shrouded in darkness, under a veil of death and the sigils thereof, everything offered forth on this album is the quintessence of evil in atmosphere. The psychological haunt of the sounds featured here is reminiscent of that familiar nostalgia received from watching an evocative horror film of an utterly dark aesthetic preference. Thematically Black Majesty deals purely with black magick and sorcery, if it were up to my choosing more black metal bands would align themselves within this form of lyrical content, this is black metal as Satanic ritual. This is lo-fi demonic manifestation, I'll leave you with the lyrics to track two;

"Flesh Altar Unfold, Before the horned portrait, Lit by a single black candle, Through a floating haze, Of incense, Hail Baphomet!, Let the human cranium, Which lieth before me, Serve me as a chalice, To drink the arousing wines, My altar has to offer, Hail Satan! I am thy church!"

1. Intro - Mount Purgatory Rises
2. Flesh Altar Unfold
3. Black Rituals of the Cain-Cult
4. A Sphere of Death and Crimson Candles
5. Through Deathwomb Daath (Ero Sicut Satanas!)
6. Le Possede (C. Baudelaire)

Baphe Metis

Cryptic Temples of the Ancient Cult

Kathaarian is a raw black metal band from Germany, Crpytic Temples of the Ancient Cult is their first and only full length thus far. Kathaarian plays a very traditional form of black metal, with harsh and blackened screams over various harmonies and rhythms. There are no slow tracks featured on this album with the exception of the last song, there are the expected occasional breaks in tempo, yet it remains as a consistently aggressive and hate filled black metal tribute. Song after song they serve up very energetic and majestic riffs, accompanied by the blazing spirit of the wrathful drums being carried by the night winds. This is fucking cult black metal.

1. Fullmoon Rises
2. Murder
3. Black Abyss
4. Ancient Cult
5. Mayhem
6. End Of Mankind
7. The Cold Grip Of Darkness
8. The World Will Sleep

Cryptic Temples of the Ancient Cult

Ambre Zuerkl Vuordhrevarhtre

Bèlkètre of the infamous Les Légions Noires released Ambre Zuerkl Vuordhrevarhtre in 1996 as their last demo and then split up. Bèlkètre plays a very raw and lo-fi form of black metal, sometimes intensely fast and other times plodding to a more depressive beat. Themes of despair, disgust, and hatred truly shine forth from this release in a genius and authentic way, the sound here on this demo is unique enough to say that Bèlkètre is a one of a kind. At first listen this album may be confusing at points, but after some time to digest the contents you will find appreciation for the wickedness within the shrieking and you will succumb to the overall evil and loathsome energies presented in this demo. This album is a perfect example of these "gems" that I consistently mention here on this blogspot, this has been under appreciated and overlooked for many years now, and you've overlooked it long enough. To the Dark War.

1. Voarmtre Zuèrkl Vuorhdrévarvtre
2. The Dark Promise
3. Demzreyavbtre Belketraya
4. Marbatreéèpreb
5. Aapr Dgyarveurtre
6. Brearmdreb
7. Damae, Dzlebaeryavtreéèpreb
8. Verhzleyavbtreleambreb
9. Eepreb, Vagezaryavtre Zuèrkl
10. Goebtrevoryalbe
11. Emvandreoatr
12. Twilight of the Black Holocaust

Ambre Zuerkl Vuordhrevarhtre

Paragon Impure

From Belgium came Paragon Impure, a now defunct black metal band who conceptually dealt with the personifications of evil. Before they split up they released two demos and eventually a full length, this is the compilation of those first two raw demos in all of their glory. Really consistent and energetic black metal fueled by blasphemous hatred, the guitar and drums are really top notch, the vocals always strained and cold sounding. This is really solid black metal, I highly recommend checking this out if you have never heard the name Paragon Impure, especially if you hate jesus christ.

1. A Man Of Karioth, Praised
2. The Ballad Of Judas Iscariot
3. Key To The Void
4. Where The Laughter Of Angels Is Inaudible

Paragon Impure

Shabattu, Danse Lunaire

Darvulia is a French black metal band formed since 1999, consisting of Kobal handling the vocals and all instruments and with Akhron on Drums, this duo pursues the route of occult black metal via witchery, drugs, and death. It goes without say that Darvulia are one of my favorite black metal bands, let alone the entirety of all French black metal out there with their abundance of amazing material that consistently comes out of that country, I could easily name a list of "favorites" that all originate in France. Shabattu, Danse Lunaire is Darvulia's second demo from 2001, it was still during this era that Darvulia relied on a drum machine, Darvulia eventually evolved and now involve highly talented drum work. The main thing that gets me in this particular demo is the guitars and bass, they are highly prominent in these recordings, and are especially nice during the title track. Entrancing you into a spell via the monotony of the repetitive beat and the wickedness of the morphing riffs, Darvulia can be compared to the likes of the Les Légions Noires, and can be associated accordingly. If you enjoy this release, this is more or less the beginning days of Darvulia, and unlike most bands today they actually got better through time. This is a true dark working of sinister intent and esoteric desire.


1. Pacta Conventa Daemononiorum
2. Ainsi soit-il
3. Shabattu, Danse Lunaire
4. La Sorciere Des Bois Opaques
5. Suellam

Shabattu, Danse Lunaire