Burzum - Burzum / Aske [Comp] (1995) Reissue [2008]

Burzum is a music project that began in 1991 by the Norwegian musician and writer Varg Vikernes. It became a part of the early Norwegian black metal scene and is considered to be one of the most influential acts in black metal.

Vikernes began making music in 1988, but it was not until 1991 that he recorded his first demos as Burzum. The word "burzum" means "darkness" in the Black Speech, a fictional language crafted by Lord of the Rings writer J. R. R. Tolkien. Vikernes recorded the first four Burzum albums between January 1992 and March 1993. However, the releases were spread out, with many months between the recording and the release of each album.

In May 1994, Vikernes was sentenced to 21 years in prison for the murder of Mayhem guitarist Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth and the arson of three churches. While imprisoned, Vikernes recorded two dark ambient albums using only synthesizers, as he did not have access to drums, guitar or bass. Since his release from prison in 2009, he has recorded several more albums. Although Vikernes is known for his political views, he does not use Burzum to promote those views, and his lyrics are non-political.

Varg Vikernes began making music in 1988 with the band Kalashnikov. The following year, the name was changed to Uruk-Hai, after the creatures from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. In 1990 and 1991, Vikernes played guitar for the death metal band Old Funeral, which also consisted of members who would later form the band Immortal. He appears on the Old Funeral EP Devoured Carcass. Vikernes left Old Funeral in 1991 to concentrate on creating his own musical visions. He had a short lived project called Satanel, along Abbath Doom Occulta. He then began a solo project under the name Burzum. The word "burzum" means "darkness" in the Black Speech, a language crafted by Tolkien. Soon after recording two demo tapes, he became part of the Norwegian black metal scene. With his demo tapes, he had attracted attention from Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth of Mayhem, who had just recently formed Deathlike Silence Productions. Aarseth then signed Burzum to the label, and shortly after, Vikernes (under the pseudonym of Count Grishnackh), began to record Burzum’s self-titled debut album. According to Vikernes' autobiography on his website, he had intended to record the album in the worst recording quality possible (due to this being a typical trademark of the early Norwegian black metal scene), while still making it sound acceptable. Burzum's eponymous debut album was released in 1992, being the second album released on Deathlike Silence Productions. The song "War" from this album had a guest appearance from Euronymous, playing a guitar solo "just for fun", according to Vikernes.

Vikernes has stated that he had never played any live shows with Burzum, though at one point was interested in it, so Samoth of Emperor joined the band as their bassist, though only appearing on the Aske EP. Additionally, Erik Lancelot was hired to be the band's drummer, though did not record on any Burzum material, and along with Samoth did not play a live show. Vikernes had by then lost his interest in playing live concerts, and stated that he "didn't even need session musicians anymore". Therefore, Samoth and Lancelot had parted ways with Burzum. Det som engang var was released as Burzum's second album in 1993, recorded in 1992.

15 May 1994 saw the release of Hvis lyset tar oss, a new album of previously recorded material from 1992. Burzum remained as a solo project until 1994, when Vikernes was arrested for the murder of Euronymous and the burnings of several churches in Norway. During his time in prison, Vikernes released his next album, titled Filosofem, on 1 January 1996. Recorded in March 1993, Filosofem was the last recording Vikernes made before his imprisonment. Burzum / Aske, a compilation comprising the Burzum album and Aske EP, was released in 1995. While imprisoned, Vikernes managed to record two other albums in a dark ambient style. They were released as Dauði Baldrs (1997) and Hliðskjálf (1999).

In 1998, all Burzum albums released up to that point were re-released as vinyl picture discs in a special box set called 1992–1997; however the Filosofem album didn't contain "Rundtgåing av den transcendentale egenhetens støtte" due to its length. The regular vinyl issue of Filosofem on Misanthropy had tracks 1–4 plus "Decrepitude II" on side 1 and "Rundtgåing av den transcendentale egenhetens støtte" on side 2.

Soon after being released, Vikernes started writing new tracks (nine metal tracks and an ambient intro and outro) for an upcoming Burzum album. According to Vikernes' recounts, several record companies were interested in releasing his first album in eleven years. He stated about the new album, "I want to take my time, and make it the way I want it. It will be metal, and the fans can expect genuine Burzum."

The album was going to be originally titled Den hvite guden ("The White God"), but he later decided to change it to Belus, which was released by Byelobog Productions (byelobog is the transliteration of "белобог" in Slavic languages, meaning "white god") on 8 March 2010. It was also announced that a movie would be released in 2010, based on Varg Vikernes' life in the early 1990s. The movie would mainly draw inspiration from the book Lords of Chaos, with the film being of the same name. Vikernes expressed his contempt towards both the movie and the book upon which it is based.
A second new album of original Burzum material, Fallen, was released on 7 March 2011, followed by a compilation album, From the Depths of Darkness, containing re-recordings of tracks from Burzum's self-titled album and Det som engang var, on 28 November 2011. A third new studio album of original material, titled Umskiptar, was released in May 2012. Sôl austan, Mâni vestan ("East of the Sun, West of the Moon"), Burzum's first electronic album since 1999, was released in May 2013. On April 27, 2013, a song was posted on the official YouTube channel of Vikernes, titled "Back to the Shadows." In a blog post, Vikernes stated that "Back to the Shadows" will be the last metal track released by Burzum.
The album ''The Ways of Yore'' was released on June 2, 2014.

Burzum's music features characteristics common in black metal, including distorted, tremolo-picked guitar riffs, and harsh vocals. Earlier Burzum albums feature very low production quality, which has improved in albums created after Vikernes' release from prison. Burzum's early music shows heavy Tolkien influence; for example, Vikernes' early moniker "Count Grishnackh" is taken from an orc character called Grishnákh in Tolkien's works. The choice of the name for the project reflects both this influence and the desire for anonymity: Burzum is a word of the Black Speech of Mordor meaning "darkness" (though Vikernes views what Christians consider "darkness" as "light"), and is one of those found on the Ring-inscription of the One Ring (the final part of the Ring inscription being "...agh burzum-ishi krimpatul", or "...and in the darkness bind them").
Musically, Burzum has progressed from black metal to classical-influenced ambient music characterised by minimalist tendencies and dark atmospheres. Vikernes' music is characterised by hypnotic repetition and simple song structures; this trademark sound has been present on Burzum's black metal and electronic albums alike. Vikernes has described Burzum as a kind of "spell" or recreation of an imaginary world tied in with Pagan history. Each album, he claims, was designed as a kind of "spell" in itself, with each beginning song intending to make the listener more susceptible to "magic", the following songs to inspire a "trance-like state of mind", and the last song to carry the listener into a "world of fantasy" (dreams, for the listener would fall asleep-Burzum was supposed to have been evening music). Vikernes claims the intent to create this fantasy world came from dissatisfaction with the real world. He has stated the "message" of Burzum can be found in the lyrics of the first song of the first album ("Feeble Screams from Forests Unknown").

-Tracklist:

A1 Feeble Screams From Forests Unknown     7:28
A2 Ea, Lord Of The Depths     4:51
A3 Spell Of Destruction     5:39
B1 Channelling The Power Of Souls Into A New God  3:26
B2 War     2:30
B3 The Crying Orc     0:57
C1 My Journey To The Stars     8:10
C2 Dungeons Of Darkness     4:52
D1 Stemmen Fra Taarnet     6:09
D2 Dominus Sathanas     3:01
D3 A Lost Forgotten Sad Spirit     11:09

-Line up:

  • Varg Vikernes:  All instruments, vocal.

Label: Back On Black.

Released in a gatefold jacket.
Recorded in Grieghallen Lydstudio, January (Burzum) and August (Aske) 1992 a.y.s.p.
Tracks 1-8: recorded in Grieghallen (Bergen, Norway), January 1992 during the full moon.
Track 10: recorded in Grieghallen, April 1992.
Tracks 9, 11: recorded in Grieghallen, September 1992.
All tracks published by Amazonian Music Publishing (UK).

Under license from Misanthropy Records. Cymophane Productions.

Back on Black is a division of Let Them Eat Vinyl Ltd.

Fantoft Stave Church, Norway.

Burzum - Filosofem (1996) Reissue [2008]

Varg Vikernes recorded the first four Burzum albums between January 1992 and March 1993 at the Grieg Hall in Bergen. However, the releases were spread out, with many months between the recording and the release of each album. During this time, Vikernes became a part of the early Norwegian black metal scene and met Mayhem guitarist Euronymous. He also allegedly took part in burning down four churches, along with other members of the scene. In August 1993, Vikernes stabbed Euronymous to death outside his apartment in Oslo. He was arrested a few days later and, in May 1994, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for both the murder and the church arson.
The opening track on Filosofem, "Burzum", was the first song Vikernes wrote as Burzum. It had been recorded in September 1992 for the Hvis lyset tar oss album, but Vikernes was unhappy with it and re-recorded it for this album six months later. According to a statement made by Vikernes on burzum.org, the master tapes for the version of "Burzum" meant for Hvis lyset tar oss were lost by the Norwegian prison system.
The album was recorded under purposefully bad conditions in order to retain a raw lo-fi sound. No guitar amplifier was used; instead Vikernes plugged his guitar into the amplifier of his brother's stereo and used old fuzz pedals. For the vocals, he asked a sound technician for the worst microphone he had, and ended up using an old helicopter headset.

The music of Filosofem continued Vikernes' experimentation with minimalism, repetition, and ambient music within black metal. The tracks are all quite long (the shortest being just over seven minutes), and are typically composed around very few musical motifs. For instance, "Jesu død", a track of over eight-and-a-half minutes, is primarily based around variations of a single riff. The epic "Rundtgåing av den transcendentale egenhetens støtte", Burzum's longest ambient song to date, repeats a simple melody for nearly the entirety of the runtime, switching from a bass ostinato to a harmony ostinato midway through the piece. Furthermore, the first three songs are in the key of E minor.
"Burzum", the opening track, features a prominent melody played by a synthesizer that sits atop the distorted guitars and vocals. The two "Decrepitude" tracks compliment each other, with ".i." featuring vocals and keeping the guitars in the foreground; while ".ii." is instrumental and instead focuses on the sound effects and keyboard melody in the background of ".i.".
The album cover and booklet contain artwork by Theodor Kittelsen. The front cover is named Op under Fjeldet toner en Lur (Norwegian for "Up in the Hills a Clarion Call rings out").

2 × Vinyl, Reissue, Gatefold.

-Tracklist:

Disc 1

Side A:
1.  Burzum     07:05
2.  Jesu Død   08:39

Side B:
3.  Beholding the Daughters of the Firmament     07:53
4.  Decrepitude I     07:53
         
Disc 2

Side A:
1.  Rundtgåing av den Transcendentale Egenhetens Støtte     25:11 

Side B:
2.  Decrepitude II     07:52

 

-Line up:

  • Varg Vikernes: All instruments, vocals, lyrics 

 

 

Label: Back On Black.

Recorded at Breidablik Studio in March 1993 (actually recorded by Pytten in Grieghallen, but this fact was not credited until the Byelobog Productions 2010 reissue).

Here is the German tracklisting as printed:

1. Dunkelheit

2. Jesus' Tod

3. Erblicket die Töchter des Firmaments

4. Gebrechlichkeit I

5. Rundgang um die transzendentale Säule der Singularität

6. Gebrechlichkeit II

However, contrary to popular belief, the more accurate tracklisting is the "Norwegian version", in which the Norwegian-titled tracks have Norwegian lyrics and the English-titled tracks have English lyrics. This is the version found on the back of the booklet, and the version that Varg considers to be correct, as reflected in an interview:

"The "Filosofem" ("Philosofem")* album: this album contains the first real Burzum track, titled "Dunkelheit" on the album (but the real title of the track is "Burzum". "Dunkelheit" is just the German translation of "Burzum"), that I originally wanted to include on the Hvis lyset tar oss album (but the recording was very poor, so I didn't use it). I changed the name to Burzum from Uruk-Hai when I made this song (I think in August 1991). The album is a bit weird, and far from perfect, but it is okay. Unfortunately, this is the album that sounds the most like the new Burzum music."

* correct English should be "Philosopheme".

"Burzum" (meaning "darkness") is a word from the black speech of Mordor, a language created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The album cover and booklet contain extensive artwork by Theodor Kittelsen. The front cover is titled 'Op Under Fjeldet Toner en Lur' (Norwegian for 'Up in the Hills a Clarion Call Rings Out'), which features a woman playing a birch trumpet.

"Rundgang um die transzendentale Säule der Singularität" is one of the songs on the Gummo soundtrack (as an edit).

 

Morbid Macabre - Nails Of Lust [EP] (2011)

This side project of Alex Okendo born at the beginning of last year 2008 was always a latent idea to create a sound of the old Death Metal that brings memories all those good times of the 80 South American metal this idea was even discussed at some point by Victor ex-drummer for Slaughter and Alex Okendo to do this project,but because of lack time it was never materialized.

During search of a drummer for Slaughter Alex decided to concentrate and create some compositions that were the fruit of nine tracks and then record it with the help of Alvaro Alvarez on guitars and bass all compositions and lyrics are by Alex Okendo Álvaro was responsible for the recording in his studios Nebuloza prod the city of Medellín, it is good to note that the guitar solos in this work are executed by guitarist Jorge Londoño Slaughter, a good job. Morbid Macabre is called "Hell and Damnation "and its lyrics are a serious critique consent to any religion or belief dogma human labor also brings a cover of the old Colombian band Astaroth CD comes out April 26 on the market in Colombia, as a limited edition of 300 copies also be coming out in United States under the label Blood Ritual in Japan under Obliteration Records, and in Germany under the label vinyl Iron Bonehead, work for these editions contain a band cover the Sarcofago (Christ Death).

 

-Tracklist: 

A1. Domecq     2:45
A2. Muere Predicador     3:24
B. The Black Vomit (Sarcófago cover)  2:33

 

-Line up:

• Alex Okendo: Vocals, songwriting, lyrics. 

•  Daniel "Hell Avenger" Hernandez: Drum.

  • Jonatan Slaughter: Bass. 

 

 

Label: Chalice Of Blood Angel.

Limited to 500 hand-numbered copies.

 Includes an insert with lyrics and credits.

 The vinyl comes in a black sleeve.
Recorded and mixed in April 2011 at Nebuloza Prods., Medellin - Colombia, April 2011.

Cover artwork by Alex Okendo.

 

 

 

 

 

Death - Leprosy (1988) [Remastered] (2014)

 

Leprosy is the second studio album by American death metal band Death, released on November 16 1988, by Combat Records. Notably different in tone and quality from the 1987 debut, it is the first example of Scott Burns' work heard on many of the death metal and grindcore albums of that era. The cover is featured in Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. It is the first album to feature drummer Bill Andrews and the only one to feature guitarist Rick Rozz. 

-Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Leprosy     06:19
2. Born Dead     03:25
3. Forgotten Past     04:13
4. Left to Die     04:35

Side B:
5. Pull the Plug     04:25
6. Open Casket     04:53
7. Primitive Ways     04:20
8. Choke on It     05:54

 

-Line up:

• Chuck Schuldiner (R.I.P. 2001):  Guitars, vocals, bass, lyrics
• Bill Andrews:  Drums
• Rick Rozz: Guitars.

 

 

 

Label: Relapse Records.

2nd riff for "Choke on It" was originally used in a rare "Rigor Mortis" song, which was released as a demo in 1985.
US version comes in gatefold cover with lyrics and band photos on the inside.
Canadian version comes in non-gatefold cover.
Despite being both credited and pictured on this album, Chuck Schuldiner said that he handled the bass parts not Terry Butler, who only joined the band right after the recording sessions of Leprosy were completed. So, this means that Spiritual Healing was Butler's only proper recording with Death.

Recorded at Morrisound Recording, Tampa.
Mastered at Fullersound, Miami.

Originally mastered by Michael Fuller.
 Remastered by Alan Douches.

 Cover artwork by Edward J. Repka.

Includes download card and insert with band photos and lyrics. 

Limited to 2500 copies.

 

 

Archgoat - The Light-Devouring Darkness (2009) [Reissue] (2016)

Archgoat is a Finnish black/death metal band formed in 1989 by brothers Ritual Butcherer on guitar and Lord Angelslayer on bass and vocals. The members of Archgoat openly identify with the philosophy of Satanism and the Occult as expressed in their lyrical content, which also consists of anti-Christian themes.
Archgoat formed in 1989 in Turku, Finland, though they did not release their first recording, titled Jesus Spawn, until 1991. Then in 1992, the band landed a record contract with Necropolis Records. In 1993, their EP, Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration), was released. Later that year, Archgoat entered into a full-time studio deal with Necropolis. However, after their recording sessions, a disagreement with terms of their contract resulted in the band refusing to release the finished material to the public.
In 1993, Archgoat began an extensive hiatus, citing their belief that they did not belong in a “commercial” black metal scene. The band did not reform until 2004, when they released their 1993 material as a 7″ EP, titled Angelslaying Black Fucking Metal, through Hammer of Hate Records. Their show, First Live Black Mass, concert was recorded in Finland in 2005.  Drummer Sinister Karppinen became the band’s permanent drummer in this time. Their debut LP Whore of Bethlehem was released in September 2006, and they embarked on a European tour in spring 2007 with Black Witchery. A live split of this tour was released as Desecration & Sodomy in 2008.

-Tracklist:

Side A:
1. Intro: 3rd Invocation   01:04    
2. Apotheosis of Lucifer   02:43    
3. Tribulation of the King of Worms  02:49
4. Goat and the Moon     03:58    
5. Sodomator of the Doomed Venus   02:35

Side B:
6. The Light-Devouring Darkness   03:41
7. Blessed in Beast's Blood     03:03
8. Worms Born of Martyrdom     02:58
9. Fornicated Messiah     03:34
10. The Dawn of the Antichrist     03:32

-Line up:

 • Lord Angelslayer: Bass, Vocals
• Ritual Butcherer: Guitars
• Sinisterror: Drums.

Label: Debemur Morti Productions..

This reissue, on black vinyl,with A2 poster of the original artwork and 12"x12" booklet glued inside the gatefold. 

 Comes with revised front cover according to Archgoat's instructions

 Artwork by Chris Moyen.

 

Mortician - Hacked Up For Barbecue (1996)

The early days...

Mortician was founded by Will Rahmer (bass/vocals) and Matt Sicher (drums) under the name of Casket. They wrote their first song called Mortician and decided to change the band's name to that. A rehearsal tape was recorded in December 1989 for promotional purposes. In February 1990 the same songs were recorded for our first demo which John McEntee of Incantation played guitar for. John remained a member of Mortician throughout most of 1990 which coinsided with Will's singing in Incantation. This demo went on to be pressed up by Seraphic Decay Records (dick!) and was Brutally Mutilated.

Temporary becomes permanent...

In January 1991 Roger J. Beaujard joined Mortician as a permanent guitarist. After getting great responses at several shows all around the North East US, Relapse Records contacted us to record a 7" EP. This later went on to become the Mortal Massacre 7" and CD EP. Mortician continued to play various shows and festivals and were getting prepared to record thier first full-length CD. At this point in the band's history, we made a critical decision. We had to let Matt Sicher go as drummer due to his excessive harsh drug use and lack of commitment.

Enter Drum Machine...

In early '92, because of the lack of a drummer, Will and Roger began to experiment with drum machines. We recorded several private tapes for our own benefit just to get an idea of what sound we were going to go for. We had about 15 rehearsal tracks recorded for a full-length project which was sent to Relapse. 3 of those tracks were taken from that recording and put on Corporate Death Compilation CD which was released in 1993.

Failed attempts...

After the compilation came out, we spent most of our available time trying out drummers, which never really worked out. We only played a few local shows in our area with various stand-in drummers. These were the dark years when all hope was lost and the end seemed near. Individually Will & Roger experienced many personal ordeals such as jail, fights, work, financial problems and life's general bullshit. So needless to say not much was accomplished until summer of 1994. By this time most people thought we had broken up, but the band was just on hold. Shortly after this break period ended, Relapse contacted us to record a song for the "Death is Just the Beginning III" compilation. The song, "Blown to Pieces", was recorded in August of 1994 with the aid of a drum machine. At this point we decided to continue using the drum machine as far as recording was concerned.

A classic born in one night...

Relapse then approached us about another 7" to let fans know we were back in action. In September of 1994, we recorded 5 songs which resulted in the "House by the Cemetery" 7". "House" was released in early 1995 and received a great response. This led to Relapse asking us to record bonus tracks for a CD EP release. Before the recording of the bonus tracks we were asked to record the title track for the home video "Traces of Death III". This track is completely exclusive to the video and its soundtrack, it is available nowhere else. In July 1995 the bonus tracks were completed which included covers of "Scum" by Napalm Death and "Procreation of the Wicked" by Celtic Frost. The rest of 1995 was spent playing various NYC shows with stand-in guitarists and Roger playing drums.

The first full length...

In January 1996, the "House by the Cemetery" CD was released. This marked the beginning of a new era for Mortician as far as coming across as a serious project. During this time we recorded many rehearsal tapes for private evaluation in preparation for our full-length CD. At this time we signed our contract with Relapse for this recording. Around April 1996 Will & Roger began preparation of songs to be recorded for the CD. Desmond Tolhurst, a bass player from one of Roger's other projects, Malignancy , offered to assist in the production and contribute equipment to the recording of this CD. We readily accepted his offer, and were looking forward to recording the project digitally. The only thing missing from "House" was the frequency response found in digital recordings. We recorded and mixed the CD in July 1996 and were very please to say the least with the outcome. This CD features 16 songs dating as far back as 1990 to 1996 that were never released before and 8 songs rerecorded, 3 from the 1st demo, 1 from Mortal Massacre EP and 4 Compilation tracks.

The first tour...

Mortician went on its first tour with Incantation and Anal Cunt from October 1996 to mid November from Texas up through the mid west and finished up in eastern Pennsylvania. Nine shows were played all together and the response was excellent. At this time Roger was unable to leave the state due to a legal matter and did not make the tour. At this time Relapse released "Hacked up for Barbecue" for mail order. At the end of the year we started recording rehearsal tapes of brand new songs for our next release which will be completed by October 1997. You can expect even more of the Mortician brutality on this future release of 20+ songs!

Mortician records for New Line Cinema...

At the very beginning of 1997 we recorded a track titled "Skin Peeler" for the New Line Cinema release "Gummo" which should be out in the summer of 1997. The movie is a continuation of the themes set in the film "Kids".

-Tracklist:

1. Bloodcraving     5:15
2. Embalmed Alive     0:53
3. Cremated         1:37
4. Three On A Meathook     3:08
5. Brutally Mutilated     0:42
6. Deranged Insanity     2:31
7. Cannibal Feast     1:43
8. Blown To Pieces     1:01
9. Fog Of Death     3:15
10. Brutal Disfigurement     1:28
11. Apocalyptic Devastation     3:15
12. Inquisition     1:23
13. Hacked Up For Barbecue     4:21
14. Abolition        0:53
15. Necrocannibal     4:01
16. Ripped In Half     0:26
17. Morbid Butchery     2:03
18. Decapitated     1:04
19. Drilling For Brains     0:52
20. Eaten Alive By Maggots     1:53
21. Witches' Coven     3:21
22. Worms           0:55
23 Annihilation     1:05
24 Mortician           3:22

 

-Line up:

• Will Rahmer: Bass, Vocals
• Roger J. Beaujard: Guitars, Drum programming. 

 

Label: Relapse Records.

 Recorded and mixed July 1996.

 Mastered August 1996 at M Work Mastering Studio, Cambridge, MA.

 Track 1 intro movie sample from "When A Stranger Calls."
Track 3 intro movie sample from "Three On A Meathook."
Track 7 itro movie sample from "Cannibal Ferox."
Track 9 intro movie sample from "The Fog."
Track 11 intro movie sample from "Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior."
Track 13 intro movie sample from "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre".
Track 17 intro movie sample from "Maniac".
Track 20 intro movie sample from the trailer for "Mortuary".
Track 21 intro music from the movie, "Suspiria,"
Track 24 intro movie sample from "Phantasm," and outro movie sample from "Phantasm III: Lord of the Dead."

Co-produced by Mortician.

 Cover art by Wes Benscoter.