BEHEXEN should require no introduction. One of the longest-running Finnish black metal bands, BEHEXEN have patiently spread out their album releases in such a manner that each serves as a tome, a poignant snapshot of that era of its creators, with each being unique in its headspace but undeniably coming from the same visionary minds. But prior to essential early albums like 2000's Rituale Satanum and 2004's classic By the Blessing of Satan, BEHEXEN had recorded a trio of equally compelling demos - and even one prior, under the moniker Lords of the Left Hand, in 1995.
That is where Beyond the Four Gates comes in. Truly titled, this massive double-disc collection conveniently compiles the original three BEHEXEN demos and the preceding Lords of the Left Hand one, making for over an hour and a half of ancient black metal music. Lords of the Left Hand's lone demo, Reality is in Evil..., leads off Beyond the Four Gates, and even back then, the foundation for the first era of BEHEXEN - which culminated in (and concluded with) Rituale Satanum - was in place, all hulking plod and clanging cold guitars. Following on the first disc is BEHEXEN's first official demo, Eternal Realm. Here, the cold clang is suffused with more energy and, more crucially, medieval synths: a poignant snapshot of 1997 indeed. From those sessions is included a cover of Rotting Christ's "Sign of Evil Existence." Come 1998's Blessed Be the Darkness demo, BEHEXEN would begin showing signs of the sound that would come to define that first era. Colder, crueler, faster, and fueled by founding frontman Torog's increasingly inhuman throat, this demo presciently forecasted the filthy & furious idiom of Finnish black metal that would bloom during the looming new millennium. Before that millennium arrived, BEHEXEN recorded the previously unreleased Promo '99, which closes out this collection. Five of the six songs on this promo would be re-recorded for their pivotal debut album, but in comparison to the bass-heavy thrust of Rituale Satanum, it's interesting to hear these tracks with the ripped-yet and yet wide-open soundfield of By the Blessing of Satan four years later...which all underlines the fact that BEHEXEN's vision has been far-seeing for ages now. Enter Beyond the Four Gates and receive wisdom manifold.
Special reissue of the cult classic debut EP from Celestia. Original version released in 1999 on Drakkar Productions. Comes with one studio bonus track recorded during the same session.
From shadows of black magic metal Edged Circle Productions is proud to present the new album from the satanic witches Asagraum. This new offering has been manifested into the realm of flesh under his will by the title "Veil of Death, Ruptured" and features brand new material which has been highly anticipated by the fans for years after the previous album "Dawn of Infinite Fire".
Reprint, revisited layout, 500x 12'LP 140g white & black swirl effect, in a black poly-lined innerbag, gatefold jacket 350g. All assembled in plastic overbag
Erlebe das Meisterwerk von RUNENWACHT jetzt in perfekter Vinyl-Qualität. Dieses exklusive Auflage umfasst zwei besondere Schallplatten: eine klassische schwarze Vinyl und eine einseitig bespielte Iceblue-Vinyl, die jeden Sammler ins Staunen versetzt. Das Set enthält außerdem einen beidseitig bedruckten Einleger, der das visuelle Erlebnis perfekt ergänzt. Für diese Version wurde der Sound speziell neu abgemischt und gemastert, um auf Vinyl ein kristallklares, kraftvolles Hörerlebnis zu garantieren.
“The Struggle for Existence” marks a pivotal evolution, not only consolidating the lo-fi brutality familiar from their earlier releases, but also venturing boldly into new sonic territories. While traces of influences such as Eisenwinter, Rostorchester or Totale Vernichtung can still be discerned, the record distinguishes itself with a noticeably brisker tempo and an infusion of the saccharine Finnish flavor, a refreshing twist that propels the music forward.
It's a dystopian symphony that harkens back to their iconic Tusen år har gått… era, yet it's unmistakably a product of now - a battle cry for the forsaken.
Originally released in various limited editions since early 2019, Burning Banners of the Funereal War began the saga that is WARMOON LORD. Arguably the best-kept secret of the ever-fertile Finnish black metal underground, the band is the sole work of one Lord Vrajitor, a prolific figure in the wider Finnish music underground, but also concurrently the mainman of Old Sorcery. But whereas that band largely/mostly works within the dungeon synth genre, WARMOON LORD is pure & proud black metal of a most fantastical nature - equally medieval, maybe even more so, but burning with icy-hot passion that so fired the second wave during the mythical 1990s.
Reprint, revisited layout, 500x 12'LP 140g white & black swirl effect, in a black poly-lined innerbag, gatefold jacket 350g. All assembled in plastic overbag
It was but 2020 when GRIEVE emerged from the darkness with their self-titled debut EP. Although otherwise meant to exist strictly in that darkness, it was soon discerned that the band included veritable Finnish black metal royalty within its ranks. Nevertheless, the swiftly uncompromising nature of Grieve was felt: Northern Black Metal Exclusively From the 1990s. No more, no less, no progression, no fun.