Exstinctio Sensus #2

Exstinctio Sensus fanzine, issue 2 (1996)
Interviews:
Solistitium Records
Ildfrost
Nattvindens Gråt
Penitent
Einherjum magazine
Funerary Call
Wintergods
Windir
Inherit
Perunwit
Fimbul
Melek Taus
Dimmu Borgir
Kampfar
Gehenna
Dead Christ Commune
Covenant
Helheim
Near Dark mag & prod.
Hefeystos
December's Fire
Empyrium
Skogen magazine
Forgotten Woods
Articles/Bios/Featurettes:
Silence
Blazing Eternity
The Lord
Dagor
Theatres des Vampires
Apolokia
Prophecy
Beseech
Vladimir
+ lyric/poem "Lethalspell" and a page of reviews, English translations for Nattvindens Gråt lyrics

Mega

I'm going to travel to Nummirock for usual midsummer hijinks already tomorrow morning so I thought I'd leave you with some reading. Remember Exstinctio Sensus issue 1? Well, here is the second issue! Thanks to our comrade Kurgan for contributing this to me, much appreciated. Scan quality can be blamed again on me.

The second issue features a bigger number of interviews as seen above, despite being a solo effort this time, except for some art contributions. I must say with regret that the 'zine follows the typical patters of the time; where the first issue was clearly a black metal fanzine made with certain enthusiasm and drive the second one goes on to expand onto non-metal music (not a bad thing itself, good to see someone other than Mortiis represented) and the editor is all jaded and fed up with the commercial and trendy scene. It's amusing how the editor explains his idea to include non-band interviews (which I think is a bad idea as most are not at all interesting) to do "a more interesting range" and "not counting typical inties with Metalion, Osmose..." and then he has Solistitium which appeared in every other 'zine at the time (nothing against Carsten but enough is enough), possibly more than Herve & Osmose did, and Odinn of Einherjum. I'm rolling my eyes so hard it takes effort to remain seated. And he also goes on about commercialism, popularization of black metal and money-hungry bands (avoiding name dropping though) and then has both Dimmu Borgir and Covenant, how ironic is that?

Despite all my kvetching this is still well above average 'zine, nice and clear (non-computer) layout, actually interesting bands featured among the usual publicity hunters (for example Wintergods and Funerary Call make a "proper" appearance here after being featured with articles in the previous issue). Of the non-band interviews D.C.C. and Sascha of Skogen are most interesting. The band articles are a bit on the short side but at least not just copied bios. Wintergods interview made me want to hear the three tracks that were supposed to be on the EP, apparently they sent it out as advance tape/promo. But enough from me, I must resume packing.

Exstinctio Sensus #1

Exstinctio Sensus fanzine, issue 1 (1995)
Interviews:
Nåstrond
Sorhin
Obtained Enslavement
Mortiis
Forgotten Woods
Einherjer
Manes
Demonic
Satariel
Hades
Setherial
Funeral Winds
Articles:
Gehenna
Graveland
Lord of Evil
Tha-Norr
Osculum Infame
Arckanum
Nauthis
Incitatus
Vergelmer
Sabbathan
Cacophonous Records
Ancient
Liar of Golgotha
Darkwoods My Betrothed
Mastiphal (Katowice)
Ulver
Megiddo (UK)
Vlad
Dark Funeral
Impurity
Illska
Troll (Aafjord)
"From Xmas to Solar Rites..." by Darkarts
Zephyrous
Wintergods
"The Church of Satan or the Pure Evil Swindle" by Se Irim Abrahel
Funerary Call
Prophanity
Aeternus
Murder Rape
Dies Irae (nor)
Abigail
Necromicon
The Helheim Society
Veles
+ "advances" section, "In the Mist of My Grief" poem, Darkthrone press statement, Bathory lyrics, English translations of Varg's lyrics for Darkthrone & Burzum...

Mega

How about some reading? Here's another classic-era 'zine, first issue of the Spanish black metal fanzine Exstinctio Sensus who, like was the somewhat unfortunate style of the times, were extremely Norge-centric. Or more fairly Scandinavian-focused since out of the twelve interviews six are Norwegian, four Swedish, one Dutch and then there's Mortiis. My scans, made last summer when I borrowed this 'zine from comrade Kurgan or more specific from his mate. Thanks, gents!

Besides the dozen interviews there are several, usually short, articles/bios of bands and unfortunately once again many of the most interesting names are in this section. How unfortunate but not surprising. And again no support for their local scene in any form, then again there was not much to talk about at that time, in the black metal field. If you don't mind the Norway-worship it is a good 'zine with a pleasant, clear old school lay-out and above average content in general. Notably they have no separate reviews here, but they go over most bands' (most recent) release either in the introduction of the interview or in the article. The interviews range from very good (Nåstrond, Sorhin, Setherial) to usual, okay stuff to underwhelming and really bad (Demonic being once again the worst). Generally you'll notice the usual pattern here how Norwegian bands used to give quite poor answers in interviews, especially with foreign 'zines. Enough talk, read for yourself, despite my usual bitching it's extremely recommendable!

Riding Hellwards: Volume 1 (1999)

Various Artists - Riding Hellwards: Volume 1 compilation tape 1999
1) Moonsorrow - Taistelu Pohjolasta
2) Thorax Serpenti - Hatred Souls (rehearsal)
3) Pandemia - Created Again
4) Nazgul - Celtic Lands
5) Shadowbreed - Path in the Dark
6) Baphomet - Crucifixion
7) Thoronath - Kristet blod
8) Katassamalass - Masticated Human Flesh
9) Svartkrist - Into the Abyss (live)
10) Atavism - Cemetary Cannibalism
11) Impuro - Orgia
12) Diamatregon - Throne to Eternity
13) Bilskirnir - For the Return of Paganism (rehearsal)
14) Demon Realm - Hammer of Hate
15) Unholy Archangel - Foronis
16) Prejudice - Perpetual Pain
17) Grimoria - A Great Sacrifice
18) Gorewinter - Buried by Night
19) Baxaxa - Thorn of Steel

Depositfiles / Rusfolder

I haven't done compilation tapes for a while and since master Sorvali's contributions included these too, I decided to upload this Belgian one today. Thanks to Henri again for the rip and scans! I don't know if more volumes of Riding Hellwards were released, but this one here came with an A4 newsletter and includes almost 90 minutes of mostly black metal bands. To my delight, it also includes a number of domestic bands besides the international cast.

The newsletter is a single A4 sheet, with print on both sides so I suppose I should say two pages. It contains interviews with Black Witchery, Funeral Rites and Moonsorrow, these are all quite short, especially Funeral Rites which is also pretty thin on the information side too. The other two are a better read. As for the main dish, the compilation itself, the sound is good and quite consistent, no extremely drastic volume leaps here. Music ranges from the epic heathen metal of Moonsorrow to raw and fast material like Baphomet to brutal death metal of Katassamalass and bestial blasting of Unholy Archangel. Prejudice's distrubingly modern metal sounding track also stands out like a sort thumb. Quite a varied selection of tracks despite having a black metal focus and several first time listens too. I'm going to need another listen and take some notes, there are a few bands I must inspect further.

Gorthaur - Return to the Truth demo 1995

Gorthaur (spa) - Return to the Truth demo 1995
1) Return to the Truth
2) A Song by the Winter Fire
3) Daughter of the Gods

Yandex / Depositfiles / RGhost

We stick to the sunny Spain but this is an item I actually like. I decided I've had too little black metal here recently. This will be corrected, starting now. Gorthaur was an obscure and short-lived band which either featured members of Beheaded Lamb or was BL after a name change for a while before breaking up & separating into BL and Gothician. Metal Archives reports the events as per latter but I recall a trader comrade giving a different account of the band's background, unfortunately I don't remember what he exactly wrote anymore. As you guessed, this rip of their only demo is from a dub I got from that trader comrade. The reason I hesitated for a long time before posting this is that I actually have two rips of it, the one from my dub posted here and another one, provided years ago by Alhaz of (ex-)Primigenium, at a time I couldn't find the tape. If someone really needs, I can upload his version too, it sounds slightly cleaner. He also sent me the Gothician demo which you should be able to find on the nets. No covers, unfortunately and actually this time nothing else either. Anything would be appreciated, cover scan, band pic/logo, flyer...!

What is the music like you must be wondering by this point. To put it bluntly, it's very Burzum-sounding, raw but melodic black metal. Not really original, the Isengrim editor would hate this, but I never cared about that drivel as long as it works. And it works for me. Not as intense as Nidhoggr (first Burzumish band that came to mind) nor lethargic like the worst depressive black metal projects, Gorthaur operates mostly in midtempo, from the quite brisk pace of the title track to the slightly slower second song and ending up, logically, with the actually slow and quite torturous "Daughter of the Gods". Vocals are shrieks and screams of the Varg-school, naturally, some synths are sparingly used for effective touch here and there and the rest of the musicianship is proficient enough, nothing leaps out to either bother or amaze you. The sound is a bit messy but very listenable by my standards and the little murkiness adds to the appeal of the music, at least I feel like that. I have to admit this gets quite a few nostalgy points from me so I'm not sure how an objective listener, jaded with today's overflowing black metal market and the thousand bands doing/having done similar music, will react to this. And I don't really care. Those who enjoy this do so and the others can again wait for another upload.

Deface - Tears demo 1995

Deface (spa) - Tears advance tape for demo 1995
1) Absorbed by Homesickness
2) Unforgettable Moments
3) Inextricable Memories (Part I)
4) The Field of Glory
5) Inextricable Memories (Part II)

Mediafire

Time to post another a bit older contribution. I'm not 100% if I simply forgot this one to sit in my download folder or had Mikael aka Vaalkoth posted this in their short-lived blog, whatever the reason may be it was left there for quite some time. Anyways, this is an advance version of Spanish death metal band Deface's only (?) demo from 1995 which Mikael had gotten from them and ripped and sent to yours truly along with some other items. Includes a pic of the cover, which is unfortunately not a scan but a digicam pic. You can see what needs to be seen on that too. Thanks for sharing!

Mikael's rip had tracks 3 & 4 together, I separated them. Otherwise I haven't meddled with his work here, it's a little lower bitrate than I usually go for (CBR 160) but it sounds ok. Note that of the 5 tracks here, roughly 15 minutes of music, only tracks 2 and 4 might be what we call "proper" tracks as the others are intro and interlude sort of pieces. The sound is kinda weak, or more like unpowerful and the music is not certainly the average sort of death metal you might've expected from Spain early 90's - it's kind of complicated mix of technical death metal with gothic influences, rather than death/doom which might seem more likely when you look at the titles here. In a way the sound supports their complex, serpentine meanderings as a heavier, cavernous or a dirty, muddled production would make them a complete mess. Vocals are death growls, gothic moans and assorted less used sounds. I don't like this. Well, the instrumental interludes are ok. Other than that the main dish is too complex and twisty for my palate, most of the time it just makes me sort of annoyed. But you have to note I'm not into Ved Buens Ende and the like either so you might find this fascinating and actually enjoy it. After all, some people enjoy eating things which make me grimace and spit them into a napkin for stealth disposal at first opportunity... I better quit now and prepare some food.

Dark Drakkar - La Creación demo 1997

Dark Drakkar - La Creación demo 1997
1) Intro (Dark Drakkar)
2) Ley Vikinga
3) La Creación
4) Einheriar (Guerreros del Valhalla)
5) Ragnarok (El Ocaso de los Dioses)
6) Blasfemia al Dios Cristiano
7) Utgar (Instrumental)

Reuploaded

Here's something you don't see everyday, another odd, twisted warped thing from the 90's uncovered. Dark Drakkar were a Spanish viking black metal band who released a couple of tapes and changed name several times. Yes, that's right, Spanish viking black metal. With Spanish lyrics to boot. This demo is the only product I've heard from them under any of the various monickers they went and was sent to me by a tape trader who didn't have the cover. But I happened to have a flyer of theirs which seemed to include the cover image so I used that. See below for the complete flyer, apparently they spread their gospel only in the homeland.

I am also experimenting with the Russian Narod service as I don't trust Mediafire anymore at all. Let's see how this works.

But let us discuss the music, how do they sound like? Well, the intro is fitting and promising enough, synth and sound effects, pretty standard fare. I like how they transfer to the first proper track, the sudden keyboards sound like something off a 20's film. Unfortunately the black metal that follows isn't as exciting. Quite fast and with a rather weak guitar sound which takes much away from the overall experience. They do slow down and add some synth to the background which I suppose works okay. Notably the bass is very audible as well. The drums are too loud compared to the guitars. Main voice is a hoarse scream/yell of average quality, you should be able to figure out at least part of what he's screaming if you understand Spanish. They use some death metal support vocals which don't really fit too well. A different sort of a scream would've been better, or maybe even clean vocals though we've seen how well they work for demobands before, haven't we? There are also some female voices employed, these are of spoken word variety and most likely a band member's girlfriend/sister/school mate, but that's ok as she's not trying to sing. In the end their take on viking black metal is quite fast, melodic and often more in common with melodeath than black metal. It's not as bad as you probably think from the initial shock (Spanish viking black metal! In Spanish!) but I can't say I'd really enjoy it either. Have a listen and decide for yourself, it won't kill you, only steal half an hour of your life.

Denken - Tristes Melodias unreleased demo 1996

Denken - Tristes Melodias unreleased demo 1996
1) Dentro de Mi
2) No Existes
3) Triste Final
4) Nube de Sueños
5) El Ente
6) La Opresión del Terror
7) Cancíon de Hadas
8) Sinfonia Homicida
9) Unknown Title I
10) Unknown Title II

Reuploaded

Once again an obscure item, the unreleased 1996 demo and also the only release I know of from Spanish Denken who appear to have no online presence yet. It is of course possible they could have changed name and released a whole bunch of releases, if you happen to have any info on the band I'd be interested to read it. I got this tape from one of my traders and he didn't seem to have much to tell either, just the seemingly incomplete tracklisting which had 8 titles while the demo seems to have 10 and the country of origin.

So what's the content of this mysterious demo like? It's mostly slow black/doom sort of material that brings old Katatonia to my mind, up till the 1994 EP I'd say. You know, funereal and mournful blackened doom dirges rubbing shoulders with gothic metal or even rock. Not as good as old Katatonia, mind you, but not bad either. The sound quality is of obvious demo level but personally I've no problem with it, the slightly thin, echoing sound sort of fits with the content. Main vocal is an effect-laden black metal rasp which is not bothersome if not awesome either. An interesting item if you're into early Katatonia but it overstays it welcome a little with the 40+ minutes duration.

Demonlord - Unsacred Soul demo 2000

Demonlord (spa) - Unsacred Soul demo 2000
1) Intro
2) Sinister Queen of the Forest
3) Rapture of the Ancient Times
4) A New Age Comes
5) Mankind's Decay
6) Under a Serpent Sun (At The Gates cover)

Mediafire

Another Spanish black metal demo, this one was released first as a CDr and then two cassette editions, later of which had a bonus track. My rip is of the CDr-version which probably does not differ from the first tape edition, the cover of which is seen above. I didn't have a proper copy of the CDr, with cover art I mean, so I used the tape cover. The band later changed their name to Daemonlord and has released some albums and EPs under that name, most recent album actually just this year.

I'm not familiar with their later material so I'm not going to make any comparisons to that. All the proper tracks on this demo are quite short, coming to an average duration of little less than three minutes. As you might guess, the music is fast and in your face, still quite melodic with the occasional background synths. They use two vocals, of which one is a little deeper than the slightly drier croak of the other. There's no human drummer and the machine is quite obviously that. It would sound better with a real drummer, or if the drumsound was different but it's not bad enough to ruin it. Kind of reminds me of some old Greek bands. I didn't much care for this when I first heard it but now after a few years (well, 11) it sounds better than I remembered. Give it a shot, at least it's not sugary and fluffy! I think I should check out their later releases.

Gorplough - In Valle Tenebrarum demo 1996

Gorplough - In Valle Tenebrarum demo 1996
1) Cruces Blancas
2) Señor de los Sueños
3) El Horizonte de los Sentidos
4) Los Hongos del Placer

Reuploaded

I'm back again and here's an item I ripped quite a long time ago, it's been lying on my desktop so I decided to start with it. Spanish black/doom/death/whatever hybrid here, as far as I know their only recording, dubbed by a tape trader back in the 90's. He did not send me a cover so I'm using the image from M.A. which looks strangely like a CD cover, was this released on tape or CD(r) or both? I've very little info on the band myself... I must note my trader comrade wrote this to be a 1996 release while M.A. says 1995. I'm sticking with my comrade's description until proven wrong.

Four songs of gloomy and heavy black/doom hybrid which has an old school vibe to it, making me compare it to bands like Mortuary Drape, Opera IX, Countess, Barathrum, Nebiros (col), Xantotol, Filii Nigrantium Infernalium, old Necromantia et cetera. Old school southern black metal spirit is strongly present without being a carbon copy of anyone in particular. There's some synth included, but it is used quite tastefully and adds to the atmosphere. The main vocal is a raw half-scream, but other styles pop up time to time. Notable example is the retard chorus on second (or was it third?) track! All lyrics are in Spanish, which sounds cool with this style. A good demo, give it a try.

Witches' Sabbath - The Beginning of a New Age (demo 1998)

Witches' Sabbath - The Beginning of a New Age (demo 1998)
1) The Arrival
2) Evil Behind You
3) Nocturnal Beings
4) At the Gates of the End
5) An Empty Heart
6) Hail to the Ancestral Wars
7) Black Tales (The Tale of the Dark Fairy)
8) Witches' Sabbath (The Beginning of a New Age)
9) Wizard of Time
10) The Invocation

MediaFire

Another post of European metal, still southern lands as we travel to Spain to confront Witches' Sabbath and their debut demo. This is symphonic/melodic "black" metal with heavy Cradle of Filth influence. And of course other later 90s acts but COF was the first one to pop into my mind. This isn't really my sort kind of music. But don't let that discourage you, try for yourself.

Ripped from an original tape I got from some vague distro (why? I don't remember, was probably an alternative for something) so the rip and sound are ok. Kind of, in an authentic and listenable non-damaged sort of way. That's enough for now.

Ouija - Rehearsal 1996

Ouija - Rehearsal 1996
1) Untitled I
2) Untitled II
3) Untitled III

Reuploaded

Moving from Portugal to Spain, this time we have a three song rehearsal tape from the black metallers Ouija. Spain isn't really known for black metal bands, Primigenium though should be quite familiar to many readers and some might know Blazemth, Nazgul, Xharathron, Gorthaur (very good demo, I should post it) and Witches' Sabbath. That's about all that comes to my mind now - of course browsing Metal Archives would conjure more names, but anyways back to the point and this release. I got this tape from a Spanish trader comrade and he didn't unfortunately have a tracklisting for it and I haven't managed to identify any of the tracks as something from the band's so-far only album "Riding Into the Funeral Paths". I have to admit I haven't listened to the album too many times either. So I've just named the tracks Untitled I - III. Feel free to share your info if you know the titles!

The sound on these tracks is obviously somewhat rough as it is a rehearsal recording, but I think it is very audible and quite clear for one - I've heard demos with worse sound! The quality of the dub and my rip is ok too. Music is melodic black metal similar to their album, not bad nor really great either. Give it a shot if you enjoy 90s melodic black metal.