What Are You Listening To Now - The North Edition

Bathory - "Blood Fire Death" (1988)

Revisiting the place where my black metal journey first began back in the late 80's.  Blackened thrash meets Viking metal. I adore this record.

4.5/5

For some reason I didn't get on with this when I first played it, the avante-garde rhythms are a little confusing but not grating as such.  Anyway, let's see how the mood takes me today.

For some reason I didn't get on with this when I first played it, the avante-garde rhythms are a little confusing but not grating as such.  Anyway, let's see how the mood takes me today.

I've always felt that it's a little underrated, but then I'm pretty open to bands experimenting and trying new things. There are a couple of very impressive moments, particularly View From Nihil.

Aoratos "Gods Without Name"

Naas Alcameth's (Nightbringer, Akhlys, Excommunion) latest musical creation.

Aoratos "Gods Without Name"

Naas Alcameth's (Nightbringer, Akhlys, Excommunion) latest musical creation.

I've liked what I've heard of Nightbringer, so I might have to give this a go sometime.

1349 - Demonoir

The superb melodious new album from Sinmara 'Hvísl Stjarnanna'

Coldworld 'Melancholie2' - never really seen the requirement for the effusive praise this gets.  I have always found it decidedly average.

I completely agree. Ben seems to think it's amazing though which is disappointing as the family had such high hopes for him early on.

Coldworld 'Melancholie2' - never really seen the requirement for the effusive praise this gets.  I have always found it decidedly average.

This album just happens to be one of my absolute favourite! I'm also a big fan of its follow-up. Each to their own I guess. 

I completely agree. Ben seems to think it's amazing though which is disappointing as the family had such high hopes for him early on.

Well, you know, a LOT of people love it. So it appears the family was determined for me to have bad taste in music. I feel sad that I disappointed them, but then, they've always got you to be proud of.

Ritual 'The Summoning' 1995

Ritual 'The Summoning' 1995

Haven't heard this one. Worth checking out?

Deathspell Omega - "Paracletus" (2010)

Fucking supreme avant-garde/dissonant French black metal. This album pretty much went over my head when I first encountered it back in 2010 but once it clicked it's absolutely nailed me. It's pure genius in many ways.

4.5/5

Bathory - "Twilight Of The Gods" (1991)

4/5

Bathory - "Under The Sign Of The Black Mark" (1987)

The first truly great black metal record in my opinion.

4.5/5

Easily one of my favorite albums, and the album that got me into Black Metal! 

Bethlehem - Sardonischer Untergang Im Zeichen Irreligiöser Darbietung

Easily one of my favorite albums, and the album that got me into Black Metal! 

Bethlehem - Sardonischer Untergang Im Zeichen Irreligiöser Darbietung

That's a pretty out there album to be your first black metal album, particularly with the extreme vocals. I guess if you come in through that doorway, then a lot of more typical black metal would sound conventional.

Weakling - "Dead As Dreams" (2000)

Possibly the most celebrated US black metal release ever. It's certainly pretty strong & also quite diverse. Kinda like Satyricon meets Wolves In The Throne Room with post-rock & My Dying Bride influences scattered around. The vocals have a fair bit of Burzum about them while the immensely long song durations don't seem to bother me too much. Perhaps due to the unusual song structures.

4/5

Wolves In The Throne Room - "Two Hunters" (2007)

Superb atmospheric black metal from Washington USA. Mixes the classic Scandinavian black metal sound of Burzum, Darkthrone & Emperor with the post-metal of Neurosis & Isis & the analogue ambience of Gas & Popol Vuh. Quite possibly the best US black metal release ever recorded.

4.5/5

Wolves In The Throne Room - "Two Hunters" (2007)

Superb atmospheric black metal from Washington USA. Mixes the classic Scandinavian black metal sound of Burzum, Darkthrone & Emperor with the post-metal of Neurosis & Isis & the analogue ambience of Gas & Popol Vuh. Quite possibly the best US black metal release ever recorded.

4.5/5

Couldn't agree more. Definitely my favourite WitTR album.

Deafheaven - "Sunbather" (2013)

I've never been able to understand the hatred for this record. It's very close to being a masterpiece as far as I'm concerned & is clearly the best example of the blackgaze subgenre that I've experienced. Sure there are some sweeter melodies than you'd usually associate with black metal but they're nicely counter-balanced by some searing aggression. The musicianship is excellent & those screeching vocals really do it for me. It's just such a professional package all round.

4.5/5

Impaled Nazarene - "Motörpenis" E.P. (1996)

An eight & a half minute E.P. featuring two new original songs as well as three hardcore punk covers; two of which come from bands I've never heard of before. The two originals also see the band drawing on hardcore punk for influence so this was clearly the intended theme for the release. Unfortunately the intensity isn't quite potent enough to keep my interest despite the band having created a reasonably strong sound. I guess I don't really see the point in this release. 

3/5