Cold Ways

On behalf of the entity known as Malefic Mist, I present to you a split with Apathia, titled Cold Ways. Released in August of 2009, and limited to 333 tape copies. I don't care so much for the second side, but the first side of this split rules, hence where this review is going. A sir Mors Taetra from Italy is the sole individual behind this project, focusing on lyrical themes such as fog, winter, necrophilia, and depression, with a sound to match. The quality of this tape is fucking superb, as it obtains all of those warping and textural but subtle nuances that create the overall magic we have come to love when it comes to atmospheric demos such as this. A melodic but repetitive black metal demo that is as full of despair as it is necrotic anguish... A must.

Malefic Mist
1. Funebre Notte Di Ghiaccio
2. Lupi Nella Nebbia
3. Richiamo Di Nebbia Invernale
4. Inverno Di Zyklon-B
Apathia
5. Lost Memories
6. Daylight
7. Lifeless
8. Sepulcrum
9. Daylight (Live)

Cold Ways

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

Somber Deathwinds

Morthond is a one man black metal project handled by a figure known as Thorstadt, located here in the U.S., formed in 2001 this is his first full length from 2002 entitled Somber Deathwinds. Contrary to the majority of what I choose to post here on the blog, Morthond revolves lyrically around paganism and depression, yet the music featured on here is very suitable to the tastes of Nacht und Nebel. This is one of those bands that ride the fine line between black metal and depressive black metal in a way that is as adequate as it is appropriate. Originally I heard the title track "Somber Deathwinds" from the 2003 Empire of Hate/Morthond split, from which at that point I was sold, so I traced the bands steps backwards to discover this. The quality from the split is much more lo-fi, surprisingly, than this full length as the production is fairly clear. To me this is all about the title track, it's very catchy and simply beautiful to my ears... This release will be particularly favored over the black metal community whom enjoy tasting despair...

1. Prelude
2. Somber Deathwinds
3. The Wandering Apparition
4. Descending...
5. Lost in the Fog of Dissonance

Somber Deathwinds

Ézléýfbdréhtr Vépréùb Zùérfl Màzàgvàtre Érbbédréà

Surprisingly this is my first Moëvöt post thus far, and for those unfamiliar to the name Moëvöt or even the French black metal circle known as the Les Legions Noires, I bring you Ézléýfbdréhtr Vépréùb Zùérfl Màzàgvàtre Érbbédréà. When it comes to Moëvöt you realize that not only is this an acquired dark taste but people either consider this to be one of an extreme, it either comes off as scary to some, dumb to others, crazy to few, and genius to the initiated... I happen to be the ladder. This particular demo tape was released December 11th of 1994, also referred to as "The Coma Tapes", there is also a 24 track version of this album (both of which are included). In my opinion you can't really go wrong with Moëvöt, and once you become familiar with his style, aesthetic, and approach, you will come to hunt down all of his demos. Yet with that said, if I were to make an initial sort of first impression on anyone dealing with Moëvöt, I am immediately finding myself leaning more towards this release than any other. There are some really amazing moments here, some of these songs are just pure gems. I absolutely and highly recommend at least giving The Coma Tapes a chance, this is the occult.

1. Der Glockenturm I 2. Reflexion/Abjuration 3. Yatr Mazagvatre Erbbedrez 4. Fin De Nuit 5. Tagesanbruch 6. Larmes Crepusculaires 7. Die Dämmerung 8. Yatr Vazbagraehbbe 9. Brumes 10. Nie 11. Der Glockenturm II Ézléýfbdréhtr Vépréùb Zùérfl Màzàgvàtre Érbbédréà