Eternal Majesty
Wounds Of Hatred And Slavery
(Candlelight)

There is nothing quite like receiving an album that really surprises you. This is exactly the case with Eternal Majesty, whom I – unfortunately – have not been introduced to before despite their impressive back catalogue of split releases, a couple of demos, a live album, the EP Night Shadows as well as the debut From War to Darkness. A list of releases that I will definitely have to make myself acquainted with after the eye-opener that is Wounds of Hatred and Slavery. The band are comprised of members and ex-members from Atrox, Antaeus, Aosoth, Ancestral Fog, Reverence and Deviant, and offer diabolical black metal, which lacerates its listener from start to finish with icy moods and an all-out dismal soundscape. The music is constantly balancing on the borderline between aggression and melancholy while it retains a logical consistency, and Eternal Majesty have really got a hold of something that is just right. Eternal Majesty are a non-compromising, anti-Christian war machine, who have released an album that you cannot allow yourself to ignore.

Bo

Ljå
Til Avsky For Livet
(Aftermath Music)

First off I would like to thank Aftermath Music for releasing this album, because it is by all means quite a debut we are talking about. Regrettably, I have not heard the band’s split 7” EP with Koldbrann, but I intend to make up for it. Ljå picks up where the majority of the Norwegian scene left off in the mid-90’s. This is necro black metal as it should sound like – and then some. The title Til Avsky For Livet sums up in all simplicity what it is exactly that you will find on this album: misanthropic black metal that calls up associations to bands like Gorgoroth and Marduk. Chaos, hatred, Satan and misanthropy from first to last note; just like black metal should and is meant to sound. Til Avsky For Livet gets all the recommendations I can possibly give it, and I am looking forward to their next album with high expectations.

Bo

Motörhead
Kiss Of Death
(SPV)

Holy fuck, it is impressive beyond belief that Lemmy et al. are not only living up to their own standard from album to album, but are also able to outdo themselves. The last couple of albums have been first-rate, and with Inferno fresh in mind Kiss of Death has quite a few things to live up to – and that it does in every way. Motörhead are at their very best on Kiss of Death, and with songs like “Under the Gun”, “God Was Never on Your Side” and “Sucker” they demonstrate that after more than 30 years they still have the ideas and the fire. There is really not much to say about Kiss of Death, because we all know that Motörhead deliver the goods every time they release a new album. So buy it, dammit!

Bo

Nebelhexë
Essensual
(Candlelight)

There were probably a few people who were surprised when Andrea Haugen laid the neo-folk band Hagalaz’ Runedance to rest in order to tackle a wider and more nuanced style with Nebelhexë. The debut album Laguz, Within the Lake introduced influences from new wave and gothic, but at the same time it stuck to the heathen moods and characteristic dreamy themes from Hagalaz’ Runedance, and for that it worked well as a bridge between the two bands. With the new album Essensual Andrea Haugen once and for all manifests her visions with Nebelhexë, as it takes a great step forward from her previous works. The old vibes are still present but are now integrated into a thoroughly more electronic sound structure, and it is refreshing to hear her work in this way. In retrospect there is no doubt that this step has opened up for a whole lot of possibilities which she did not have with Hagalaz’ Runedance – Essensual is evidence of that – and fans of Hagalaz’ Runedance should by no means let themselves deterred by the fact that Andrea Haugen is exploring new territories. All in all a solid effort that you can safely write into your budget.

Bo

Various Artists
Phoenix Rising
(Candlelight)

There is no doubt that Candlelight are one of those labels that have taken a front position when it comes to delivering extreme metal for the masses – extreme metal of a generally high level, that is. Emperor made the snowball roll and since then Candlelight have made a profile with an impressive list of bands, such as 1349, Grimfist and Zyklon to mention a few, and the label continue to push the envelope of extreme metal in all its various forms. Maybe you have missed out on a few of their releases for one or the other reason (money is most likely the main issue for most of us), but Candlelight are now offering us a service in the form of the 2CD release Phoenix Rising. We are presented to 27 tracks from their latest releases, which is a perfect opportunity to explore the Candlelight roster as well as being introduced to tracks from She Said Destroy, Spektr and Mannguard, whom Candlelight are representing through their partnership with Nocturnal Art and Appease Me. A decent release that serves as a perfect introduction to the latest offerings from Candlelight Productions.

Bo