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BLACK METAL NEWS & REVIEWS
Newsletter #60 - May 2nd, 2024
Greetings,

Does anyone remember that little record store that was opened in 1991 on Schweigaards Gate street in Oslo by a guy called Øystein Aarseth? Yes, that Øystein. I am of course referring to Euronymous, and his shop "Helvete", which would later become ground zero, albeit briefly, for the early Norwegian Black Metal scene.

Well, despite all the happenings back then, I was surprised to learn recently that the shop had managed to remain in business all these years, for the most part, under the name "Neseblod Records". The store aimed to preserve the spirit of the early Norwegian Black Metal scene, and presented itself not just as a shop but also as a museum of sorts, retaining many of the original items and artifacts that featured in the original store.

Sadly, circa the 10th of April of this year, a fire started in the basement (the basement of the iconic "Black Metal" graffiti) and ripped through the store, destroying the vast majority of the contents, meaning a lot of Black Metal history and priceless memorabilia went up in flames. There's no real happy ending to this, other than the fact that the owner's fundraising goal was promptly met (presumably for renovating and repairing the building).

You can read more about the early Norwegian Black Metal scene, and the pivotal roles Euronymous and the Helvete store played in its development, here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Norwegian_black_metal_scene

Fast-forward to 2024.

Check out the recently released albums by Darkthrone, Mütiilation, Kawir, Draugnim, Cantique Lépreux and Vorga, as well as the four new EPs released by Minenwerfer last week, which represent the band's remastered material from their four split albums released over the years.

Also, keep an eye open for upcoming albums in the pipeline, namely perennial favourites Akhlys, with their new album, "House of the Black Geminus", which is due for release in July. Other notable bands with new material on the horizon include Alcest, Aquilus, Rotting Christ, Limbonic Art, Sear Bliss and Xasthur, to name but a few. Check it all out.

Until next time.

Regards,
Imperator
News highlights:
- Draugnim release "Verum Malum"
- Minenwerfer release four EPs simultaneously
- Darkthrone streaming two singles from latest album
- Kawir streaming "Kydoimos" in full
- Fire at Oslo Black Metal Museum
- Akhlys reveal details for new album and premiere new track
- Mütiilation returns with "Black Metal Cult"
- Vástígr present new song from upcoming album
- Vorga premiere new music video
- Cantique Lépreux streaming new album in full
- Verberis present "Labyrinthine Privation"
- Lhaäd streaming new album in full

Review highlights:
- Nordreich - Verschlungene Pfade (2007)
- NME - Unholy Death (1986)
- Sepulchral Zeal - Open (2015)
- Onslaught - The Force (1986)
- Ungfell - Es Grauet (2021)
- Fides Inversa - Historia Nocturna (2020)

Forum highlights:
- Question about some of the newer bands
- Help for Neseblod Records
- Letters
- Some free Bandcamp codes if interested
- Ancine: Death Hymns - Book of Desolation
- BM - Questions/Subjects

Draugnim release "Verum Malum"

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 30th, 2024 0 Comments

The release marks the band's first album in over eight years, and their fourth full-length effort overall.

Draugnim release "Verum Malum"

Finnish Black Metal veterans Draugnim have just released a brand new album, titled "Verum Malum", marking the band's first new material of any kind in over eight years, and their fourth full-length studio effort overall. "Verum Malum" was released via Naturmacht Productions on the 26th of April, and ...

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Minenwerfer release four EPs simultaneously

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 30th, 2024 0 Comments

The EPs represent the remastered versions of tracks previously included in split albums released over the years with the likes of Kommandant, 1914, Flak and Sturmtiger.

Minenwerfer release four EPs simultaneously

Californian WW1 enthusiasts Minenwerfer have just released 4 new EPs, which are essentially the remastered versions of tracks that were previously released in the form of split albums over the last decade with Kommandant, 1914, Flak and Sturmtiger. The EPs are titled "Heimkehr", "Ostfront 14-15", ...

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Darkthrone streaming two singles from latest album

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 30th, 2024 0 Comments

The songs "Black Dawn Affiliation" and "The Bird People of Nordland" have been made available for streaming leading up to the new album's release on the 26th of April.

Darkthrone streaming two singles from latest album

Last week, Norwegian Black Metal pioneers Darkthrone released "It Beckons Us All......", their 21st studio album in a career spanning four decades. Leading up to the album's release, two of the tracks from the album were made available for listening in the form of lyric videos, namely "Black Dawn ...

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Kawir streaming "Kydoimos" in full

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 30th, 2024 0 Comments

The new album was released on the 19th of April via Soulseller Records, marking the band's ninth full-length effort in a career spanning over 30 years.

Kawir streaming "Kydoimos" in full

Greek Black Metal mystics Kawir have recently put out a brand new album, "Kydoimos", which was released on the 19th of April via Soulseller Records, marking the band's ninth studio album in a career spanning three decades. To celebrate the release, the entire album is now being streamed online at ...

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Fire at Oslo Black Metal Museum

NEWS

Posted by 2ADHD4DØØM on April 13th, 2024 3 Comments

Rare Black Metal archive at Neseblod Records in Oslo, originally known as the famous "Helvete" shop owned by Euronymous, was mostly lost in the blaze.

Fire at Oslo Black Metal Museum

Neseblod Records, originally 'Helvete' in Oslo, Norway, was damaged by fire. The blaze apparently started in the record store’s basement. The late Euronymous (Mayhem) used to own it back in the day. The current owner turned it into a black metal archive, a museum of sorts, and keeping the historical ...

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Akhlys reveal details for new album and premiere new track

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 7th, 2024 0 Comments

The new album will be titled "House of the Black Geminus", with a scheduled release date for the 5th of July.

Akhlys reveal details for new album and premiere new track

Colorado-based Black Metal spectres Akhlys have recently unveiled the details for their next album, which is to be titled "House of the Black Geminus", and will be released on the 5th of July via Debemur Morti Productions. The album will mark the band's fourth studio release, and features six new ...

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Mütiilation returns with "Black Metal Cult"

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 7th, 2024 1 Comment

The legendary French Black Metal act has returned to activity with a brand new album, "Black Metal Cult", released at the end of March via Osmose Productions.

Mütiilation returns with "Black Metal Cult"

William "Meyhna'ch" Roussel, mastermind behind the legendary French Black Metal act Mütiilation, has resurrected the band with a brand new album, titled "Black Metal Cult", marking the first Mütiilation album in almost 17 years, and seventh studio album overall. The album was released on the 29th of ...

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Vástígr present new song from upcoming album

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on April 7th, 2024 0 Comments

The song is titled "Plunge", and is the opening track from their upcoming album, "The Path of Perdition", due for release next month.

Vástígr present new song from upcoming album

Austrian Black Metal act Vástígr are getting ready to release what will be their second studio album, titled "The Path of Perdition", which is due for release on the 24th of May via Avantgarde Music. Meanwhile, check out the album's opening track, "Plunge":

The label commented:

A perfect ...

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Vorga premiere new music video

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on March 28th, 2024 3 Comments

The video is for the song "The Sophist", and is taken from the band's upcoming sophomore album, "Beyond the Palest Star", which is due for release tomorrow via Transcending Obscurity Records.

Vorga premiere new music video

German Black Metal spacefarers Vorga have been working on a brand new album, titled "Beyond the Palest Star", which is scheduled for release tomorrow via Indian label Transcending Obscurity Records. Ahead of the release, the album's second track "The Sophist" is now available for listening in the ...

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Cantique Lépreux streaming new album in full

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on March 28th, 2024 0 Comments

The album's title is "Le Bannissement", and will mark the band's first full-length release in six years, and third album overall.

Cantique Lépreux streaming new album in full

Québecois Black Metal act Cantique Lépreux will be releasing a brand new album tomorrow, titled "Le Bannissement", and featuring seven new tracks. The album marks the band's first album in six years, and will be their third full-length effort overall. To celebrate the release, the entire thing is up ...

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Verberis present "Labyrinthine Privation"

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on March 28th, 2024 0 Comments

The song is taken from the band's upcoming third studio album, "The Apophatic Wilderness", due for release tomorrow.

Verberis present "Labyrinthine Privation"

Ahead of tomorrow's release of "The Apophatic Wilderness", New Zealanders Verberis have made the album's second track available for streaming via the Norma Evangelium Diaboli channel. Check out "Labyrinthine Privation" below:

The label commented:

‘Do you not recognise the trials requested of ...

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Lhaäd streaming new album in full

NEWS

Posted by Imperator on March 28th, 2024 1 Comment

The album is titled "Beneath", and marks the solo project's second full-length studio album.

Lhaäd streaming new album in full

Last week, Belgian Black Metal project Lhaäd released a brand new album, titled "Beneath", and marking the project's second full-length release overall. To celebrate the occasion, the whole thing is available for streaming via the Amor Fati Productions channel:

More info here: ...

Read full news item »

Nordreich - Verschlungene Pfade (2007)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 27th, 2021

Overlooked.

Review for Nordreich - Verschlungene Pfade

93%

4.7 star rating

Nordreich is one of the overlooked names among the Pagan front bands. Their early demos and first albums were incredibly true to the early Burzum/Graveland sound, but because of their poor production, they are not that recommended. However, in 2007 this band finally found it's sound, and made two stellar releases in the same year! That album ("Auf Heimischen Pfaden") is very much another recommended album, but since it is not as original as this ...

Read full review »

NME - Unholy Death (1986)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 26th, 2021

A heavier, more scary and more dirty version of a Venom live show!

Review for NME - Unholy Death

93%

4.7 star rating

NME's sloppy musicianship in the early days was an intentional result of being too fucking BM rather than being shitty musicians! Their later career showed us that they can be quite professional, but those albums are not the NME that everyone in the Underground loved!

This album, and the first NME demo, are among the most obscure pieces of music EVER written. And for once, this obscurity was genuinely intentional. The vocal performance, the ...

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Sepulchral Zeal - Open (2015)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 26th, 2021

Majestic Cosmic Black/Death

Review for Sepulchral Zeal - Open

90%

4.5 star rating

The first (and so far only!) release by Germany's Sepulchral Zeal, is truly jaw-dropping! If you thought Bølzer's Aura was badass, wait and see what these German boys have in store for you!

Even though it's a demo tape, it sounds incredibly crisp. The guitar tone and riffs are simply devastating. The atmosphere is epic and space-y.

There are only two songs, so let's not waste time with highlights and technical shit, and say that this is a ...

Read full review »

Onslaught - The Force (1986)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 26th, 2021

[Visible headbanging, shouting and satanic laughter]

Review for Onslaught - The Force

91%

4.6 star rating

The second album by Onslaught is much more technical compared to the primitive first album, but it still has a bit of old school Satanic Thrash Metal feeling left in itself. After this album, the band changed the lineups and turned into an straight Thrash Metal act, but on this album they showed us what they could do one last time! Unlike the first album, which had an early Sodom, Bathory feeling to it, on this album they move towards less ...

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Ungfell - Es Grauet (2021)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 22nd, 2021

The Swiss Peste Noire is developing it's own sound.

Review for Ungfell - Es Grauet

89%

4.5 star rating

After the somewhat mediocre (but rather nice), Peste Noire plagiarism of the debut Ungfell album, the second album brought a kind of unique approach. Even though that album was not that original or groundbreaking, it was interesting enough for me to wait for further releases.

The lyrical theme here is still about Swiss folklore. The overall riffing style is still very melodic (albeit with a little more harmony than before). Also, there is not ...

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Fides Inversa - Historia Nocturna (2020)

REVIEW

Reviewed by PeaceThroughAnarchy on May 20th, 2021

How to make Satanic Art; 101

Review for Fides Inversa - Historia Nocturna

95%

4.8 star rating

Fides Inversa's first album was a milestone in Black Metal history, although a forgotten and underrated one at that! The second album was a bit of a step down compared to the first, but it was still hugely enjoyable. I didn't really know that they had released an album in 2020, so naturally when I found out about it I wet my pants with excitement, and instantly got it and listened to it.

And boy oh boy, I'm glad I did! What a masterpiece. People ...

Read full review »

Question about some of the newer bands

FORUM

Posted by Groothertog Antares on April 27th, 2024 0 Comments

What I've noticed a lot in a lot of Metal styles like Thrash and the "NWOTHM" scene is this emphasis or even reliance on older music for inspiration, sometimes to the detriment of the artists. What I've noticed a with some newer Black Metal bands as well is their use of the term "old-school black ...

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Help for Neseblod Records

FORUM

Posted by Lord Darkside on April 10th, 2024 0 Comments

On Tuesday 9th of April 2024 Neseblod Records in Oslo was consumed by fire. Lets help to rebuild this iconic and historical shop.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/neseblod-records-funds

https://www.gofundme.com/f/neseblod-records-fund

Please share.

Read full forum thread »

Letters

FORUM

Posted by Vermin58 on April 10th, 2024 1 Comment

I'm looking for some black metalheads to write to. I love black metal and I live in the United States, I'm hoping to meet some more people who enjoy this music as much as I do, and who also enjoy writing like I do. If anyone is interested let me know, I'd like to see who is interested.

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Some free Bandcamp codes if interested

FORUM

Posted by 2ADHD4DØØM on April 10th, 2024 0 Comments

Here are some random codes I received from Transcending Obscurity records. They give you a bunch when buying CD's I already own these albums so here you go. Good luck first in gets the cheese.

- Once a code has been used once it will no longer be valid - If the code is valid you will receive the ...

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Ancine: Death Hymns - Book of Desolation

FORUM

Posted by Ancine on March 28th, 2024 0 Comments

Not black metal in sound but black metal in atmosphere, tone, and imagery. Ancine's Death Hymns is a gothic americana / dark folk album, and I mean really DARK. Anti christian murderballads. Here's the single, and if you like what you hear and would like to check out more, you can find everything at ...

Read full forum thread »

BM - Questions/Subjects

FORUM

Posted by cl3m_frd on March 25th, 2024 5 Comments

I just have a few questions for all Lycanthropia comunity, not only to keep it active but also because I'm concerned about my preferences and i also wonder if it's just me. Here are the questions ;

1) Am i the only one who prefers some albums to be on Vinyl/CD/Tapes rather than CD/Tapes/Vinyl ? ...

Read full forum thread »

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