deathinaugust

 "Trying to please everyone, Candlelight ends up displeasing them."

 "They burned three discographic releases and tarnished the Emperor’s name for unknown reasons."

The review critiques Emperor's 'Scattered Ashes' Best-Of album as a failed attempt to celebrate their decade-long career. The first disc offers little new for dedicated fans and lacks clarity for newcomers, while the second disc's rare tracks and covers disappoint in rarity and impact. The release is seen as a misguided marketing move by Candlelight Records, ultimately tarnishing the band's legacy rather than honoring it. Discover why Emperor’s ‘Scattered Ashes’ stirred controversy—read the full review and explore the band’s true masterpieces.

 "Disguised Masters is essentially Garm’s whim, a lover of electronics... the other members were involved more forcibly."

 "The most successful examples are the reinterpretation of La Masquerade Infernale and the expanded version of Ad Astra with female vocals."

Disguised Masters, released a year after Arcturus' La Masquerade Infernale, is a collection of remixes that divided critics and fans. While some tracks show interesting reinterpretations blending black metal with electronics, others feel disjointed. The album is viewed as a brave experiment but lacks consistent quality to justify purchase. Highlights include unreleased tracks and better reinterpretations by band members Hellhammer and Valle. Discover the daring fusion and bold reinterpretations in Arcturus' Disguised Masters—listen now to experience a unique chapter in extreme music history.

 Perhaps the worst album in all of Black Metal history.

 The cover... depicts Dead’s corpse photographed by Euronymous just after the suicide... a certain disgust from the awareness that the suicide scene was probably altered and 'beautified' by Euronymous.

This review critically examines Mayhem's bootleg 'Dawn Of The Black Hearts,' highlighting its legendary yet contrived status in early Norwegian black metal history. While the recordings capture important live moments, their poor quality and comparison to official releases reveal mediocrity. The controversial album cover and Euronymous's manipulation of Dead's suicide scene add offense to the release. Overall, it is regarded as one of the worst albums in black metal history despite its notoriety. Discover the dark history behind Mayhem’s notorious bootleg and explore early black metal’s raw legacy.

 The structure of the first disc is unsettling.

 World Misanthropy casts a sinister light on the relationship between Art (the band) and the Media World (the label).

The World Misanthropy DVD by Dimmu Borgir offers impressive live performances intertwined with backstage and interview material, though the presentation is uneven. Disc one features high-energy P.E.M. tracks with additional behind-the-scenes clips, while disc two includes older live footage and video clips. The review criticizes the emphasis on newer, less captivating material and highlights the tension between the band's artistic integrity and the label's commercial strategy. Explore Dimmu Borgir's powerful live moments and behind-the-scenes insights in the World Misanthropy DVD now!

 ‘Anno Domini’ is the pinnacle of that first wave of extreme music labeled the '80s, no longer thrash, not yet black metal.

 The average technical quality of the group is much higher than the majority of black metal bands and stands at the level of Satyricon, Dissection, Limbonic Art.

Tormentor's 'Anno Domini' album is a seminal 80s black metal work blending thrash and atmospheric elements, influencing many iconic bands. Despite initial underground release struggles, its unique sound and musicianship, led by Attila Csihar, secured its cult status. The album's variety and maturity distinguish it from contemporaries, making it a key milestone in black metal history. Discover the roots of black metal—listen to Tormentor's 'Anno Domini' and experience the pioneering sound that shaped a genre.

 "'Mother North!' is the center of the album, its synthesis: an anthem on par with 'Inno a Satana' and 'Freezing Moon,' yet more cerebral and complex."

 "There’s no room for -isms in the latest great Satyricon... only sentiment."

This review praises Satyricon's 'Mother North' from 1996's landmark album Nemesis Divina as a seminal black metal anthem. It highlights the complex composition, blending fast riffs with melodic and ethereal keyboard passages. The lyrics convey emotional and patriotic themes without nationalist overtones. The song and its music video offer a unique mix of black metal aesthetics and playful humanity. The analysis situates the track as a cornerstone in the evolution of Norwegian black metal during a key transitional period. Discover the epic atmosphere and legacy of Satyricon's 'Mother North'—listen now and delve into black metal's iconic anthem!

 The singing in Italian perfectly matches the slower mid-tempos, clashing slightly with the rapid rhythms, creating an 'unpleasant' recitative effect.

 The references to Fascism, even if veiled with D'Annunzio-style romanticism, are still clumsy and irritating.

This review offers a measured critique of Spite Extreme Wing's album Non Ducor, Duco. While the album reflects early 90s Norwegian black metal with raw and epic elements, it falls short in vocal coherence and thematic originality. The political and ideological references are seen as clumsy, and compared to peers, the album lacks intensity and polish. Despite good moments, the reviewer finds the album overrated and recommends other Italian black metal acts. Explore Spite Extreme Wing's Non Ducor, Duco and form your own opinion on this raw Italian black metal release.

 If it weren’t for the fact that the guy is Dead, the historic singer of Mayhem and an unfortunate symbol of that generation of musicians, there wouldn’t be much to be pleased about.

 You understand why Mayhem were a cut above the competition—these legends were just boys, with their quirks and taunts... a humanity that is not easy to find in the booklet of 'De mysteriis' or in the lyrics of 'Deathcrush.'

This rare 1990 rehearsal DVD captures Mayhem during a pivotal phase, showcasing the legendary vocalist Dead's intense yet surprisingly human side. The footage reveals candid moments between iconic band members Euronymous, Hellhammer, and Necrobutcher, highlighting their camaraderie and raw musicianship. Though the video and audio quality are modest, the performance remains powerful, illustrating the band's evolution within black metal's history. The DVD offers a unique glimpse beyond the myth into the personalities behind the music. Explore this rare Mayhem rehearsal DVD and witness black metal history in its rawest form.

 The album is a slow and gradual departure from traditional Metal, reflecting the arduous path of ascension from Matter to Spirit.

 One of the most evocative moments is the adaptation of Rachmaninov’s 'Elegiacus in Re Minore,' blending classical piano with soprano vocals.

Inner Shrine's 2004 album Samaya is an elaborate and dark ethereal gothic metal work, blending ambient, classical, and traditional metal elements. The album features thematic depth focusing on spiritual ascension, enhanced by Gregorian and Tibetan chants, and intricate instrumentation. It stands out in the Italian metal scene with intellectual nuance and original iconography, rewarding patient listeners with its rich textures and emotional intensity. Dive into Inner Shrine's 'Samaya' and experience a profound journey through ethereal gothic metal and haunting classical influences.

 "Roswell 47" is one of the group’s anthems: it is a harsh attack on the system, guilty of having concealed the landing of the alien race on Earth.

 "Peter sings in the chorus 'Bury the pain/ As I bury the knife in my body/ Slowly slippin’ away/ To another dimension of virtue.' Detachment from life that may perhaps never materialize.

Hypocrisy's 1996 album Abducted stands out in the Swedish death metal scene by combining UFO and alien themes with deep societal reflections. The album balances fast-paced death metal with melodic and emotional tracks, showcasing the band's technical skill without excessive virtuosity. Key songs like "Roswell 47" and "The Arrival Of The Demons (part 2)" provide powerful narratives of alien contact as metaphors for hope, horror, and alienation. The closing tracks introduce rock elements inspired by Pink Floyd, rounding out a must-have album. Dive into Hypocrisy's Abducted – a compelling fusion of death metal and alien stories. Listen now and experience this unforgettable journey!