Darkspace - III (2008)

To begin I am going to steal a review from a fellow Behold the Blogtopus and last.fm user Mr DarkRadu;

"Darkspace are back, doing what they do best: they shut the hatch, depressurize, and eject your ass into space, only to be saved by aliens who want to test their new anal probes on you. It's pretty much the same raw atmospheric black metal, with blunt riffs and hypnotic leads that project your consciousness beyond the Gates of the Silver Key."

This album is an unrelenting assault on the audio receptors, there's hardly any time for rest as this album plows through dark matter. It's not a particularly easy listen and it's not exactly optimistic or uplifting either, so if you're not used to long 10 - 16 minutes tracks that in general keep the same structure, than this may not be the album for you but I suggest you give the album a few spins, just so you can begin to understand it.

However, if this sounds tempting to you then seriously check it out, this really is a surreal album, an album that hypnotizes the listener that grabs you by the hand and leads you into the dark and bleakness of space.

Also little (un)interesting fact for you, the sounds in the background of 3.15 are taken from Danny Boyle's, sunshine.




Download: Megaupload
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG

Boris - Amplifier Worship (1998)

Oh holy shit did I just add a Boris album?! It seems I did, do I get a hipster point?

This album is so special that on the 2003 southern lord re release, inside the spine of the album was a motherfucking gummy worm....... that's trve for you.

This is essentially a drone album for those who are looking to seek knowledge in the genre and in my opinion one of the albums (though you could argue that feedbacker is a better drone album) that tops the genre along with Sunn's Black One and Earth's Hex.

Combining elements of Boris's Drone at heart attitude and including a mixture of the Southern Esq sludge we have come to expect, Boris are one of those few bands that no matter what style they choose to play they have the uncanny ability of managing to still sound like Boris.

Bringing what is generally expected from a drone album; it's heavy, bass is a significant instrument throughout , it's repetitive yet at the same time it's not what you expect from this genre, vocals play a more significant role, the drum beat is much more recognisable and not a consistent beat and guitar riffs have more variation. As the aptly named first track states this album is 'Huge'.

The thing with this album is if you don't like it doesn't necessarily mean you'll dislike Boris, so check it out.

On a side note, I wonder if anyone has eaten the gummy worm?


Download: Mediafire
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.

Appalling Spawn - Freedom, Hope and Fury (1998)

Where's all the death metal at in this blog?!

Well here's my offering from the band that went on to become Lykathea Aflame, with the exclusion of the then drummer Gabriel who was replaced by Tomas Corn, I have to say that Gabriel's drumming as good as it is, is nothing compared to that of Tomas anyway with that said and done let's get on to the actual album in question.

Bringing something fresh to the death metal scene is a hard goal to achieve, one that Appalling Spawns Freedom, hope and fury manages. Switching from fast paced brutality to intricate melodic riffing in the blink of an eye, without sounding awkward. This album is like being punched in the face and fucking enjoying it, pumped full of aggression and sheer power that resonate from the fast riffing, chaotic drumming and the vocalists guttural screams and topped off with a nice display of tight musicianship.

Fans of Lykathea Aflame really should check this album out, if not just to see where it all started.

Enjoy Fuckers

Download: Megaupload
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG

Subheim - Approach (2008)

Now for something completely different. First of all this album contains some amazing artwork that really gives off a sense of what to expect in the music.

Subheim is a one man IDM project from Greek electronic artist Kostas K. The music on Approach is amongst the most peaceful and relaxing music I have ever heard, mixing in soft ambient tones to an overall glitchy IDM sound and accompanied in parts by the ethereal almost world music like vocals of Katja who's vocals bare a similar resemblance to that of Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance. Creating an overall sound that is equal parts depressing as it is melancholic as it is uplifting

I highly recommend this album to anyone and everyone it truly is a wonderful insight into the creative mind of Kostas. The only negative thing I can say about this album is towards the end the album does phase out a bit, it's finer moments definitely come in the first 7 tracks.



Download: Rapidshare
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG

Sólstafir - Masterpiece Of Bitterness (2005)

So here it is, by request Solstafir's Masterpiece of Bitterness.

With this years release of Kold it seems Sólstafir are gaining popularity, which they deserve. However, it seems that a lot of fans of the new album are not recognising Masterpiece of Bitterness.
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Without a doubt this is Sólstafir's best release to date, and in my opinion one of the finest albums to grace my collection. With a much more atmospheric feel to it then any of their other releases this album flows together so perfectly, switching from fast aggressive style riffing to epic drawn out laid back sections in the blink of an eye in a beautifully constructed piece.

Contrary to popular belief this is neither a black metal album or a viking metal album, in fact you can throw a lot of genres on this band and it is very difficult to tie them down just to a single style of music; from the stoner/sludge Esq vocals, there is a psychedelic overall sound mixed in with a huge amount of atmospheric metal and the riffs contain elements of Solstafir's black metal days also it's worth nothing each song has an almost post - rock song structure, huge build ups with crushing endings.

To pick a highlight from this album is nearly impossible as each song really does have it's high points, each song has it's part on the album and it's one of the few albums I feel that nothing should be changed. Also, the second longest song on the album 'Ritual Of Fire', starts with a beautiful piece of music that sounds like it's been lifted straight from Sigur Ros's Takk, both bands are Icelandic and both albums came out in the same year, strange hey?! Well not really, must be an Icelandic thing.

I really could go on and on about this release, but for now I'll just say check it out. Even if you do dislike this album it deserves to be heard.


Download: Mediafire
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.



- RTG

Klimt 1918 - Secession Makes Post - Modern Music (2000)

Klimt 1918 (named after the famous painter) are an Italian band that play a sort of progressive melancholic doom pop rock hybrid very much in the vein of bands such as Katatonia and Amorphis, the band were originally called Another Day where they played a progressive death/doom style of music similar to that of Katatonia's earlier days. Each member has had his claws in the metal scene at some point, playing in death, doom and thrash metal bands and that general metal vibe can be heard Klimt's music.

Secession makes post - modern music is their first and most metal release, after this release they have gone down the catchy melancholic route, though they carry on making good music. Consisting of a mere 5 tracks this album manages to, or at least it did with me, make it's mark on you on just the first listen.

From the second this record begins the inspiration of bands like Katatonia is undeniable, but Klimt 1918 are much more than a Katatonia tribute act. Every track on this album has something to shout about, from the catchy riffs of the opening track Schmerzwerk 1976, to the absolutely amazing closing of Passive, to the great doom metal atmosphere represented in both the music and vocals on Swallow's Supremacy and finally the melancholic ending presented in April.

Granted the lyrics on this album might not be great and the vocalists English even worse but are you going to let that deter you from a great release, I suggest you listen to this NOW.



Download: Rapidshare. Sorry this the only website I could find with an upload.
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG

Agatus - The Weaving Fates (2002)

Agatus play a style of black metal that is very reminiscent to 90's black metal while including elements of Iron Maiden Esq heavy metal.

In Depth Review coming soon.


Download: Mediafire
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG

Anaal Nathrakh - Total Fucking Necro (2002)

Total fucking Necro is a compilation of Anaal Nathrakh's long forgotten demos and covers, tracks 1 - 4 are taken from the 1999 demo 'Anaal Nathrakh', tracks 5 - 9 track are taken from the demo that goes by the same name 'Total Fucking Necro' and the last track on the album entitled 'necrogeddon' is taken from the previously unreleased demo 'We Will Fucking Kill You', this track later went on to become 'The Necrogeddon' which is the closing track on 'Eschaton'. Two tracks from this album 'The Supreme Necrotic Audnance' and 'The Technogoat' were re -released on their first full length, 'The Codex Necro' and finally track 4 and 8, 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' and 'Carnage' are Mayhem covers.

This album is one of those tragically overlooked masterpieces from a band who over the years have made a steady incline in popularity, featuring two of the best covers I have ever had the pleasure of hearing, and with the fear of having my head ripped off by trve Mayhem fans, they not only meet the quality that Mayhem produced, they surpass it by quite a long way. This album is an unrelenting assault on the ear drums from the second it begins to the final second played, with very little time for melody and zero tolerance for everything that exists, this record is perfect for those days when you just need to vent anger.

Total Fucking Necro also holds one of those hidden gem tracks, that to this day I am still bemused as to why Anaal Nathrakh have not re-recorded for a recent album, the track 'Satanarchrist' is the one track that utilises some degree of melody and it really is the stand out track on the album, a track that would have slotted in so perfectly on The Codex Necro.

The only thing that could probably work against the release is the somewhat sketchy production in places, I'm not talking Xasthur sketchy mind you.


Download: Mediafire
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.
Though you may have difficulties getting this album as it's pretty damn rare!!

- RTG

Aäkon Këëtrëh - Dans La Forêt (1996)

Probably the most significant and interesting element of the LLN (Les Légions Noires) movement comes from Lord Aäkon Këëtrëh.

With the use of just the guitar and a single song that incorporates some chanting and screams this demo has a very minimalist overall sound, creating a feeling of despair and depression much more so than 90% of the self proclaimed DSBM bands out there.

The album consists of 8 songs and clocks in at just over the 20 minute mark, in fact this album is more like a single piece of music that has been split into eight singular tracks. What Aäkon Këëtrëh has created is not an album that will be liked by many and loved by less, yet for those who can, a great piece of dark and dreary ambient awaits.


Rating: 83/100
Genre: Dark Ambient
Download: Rapidshare
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.

- RTG

Drudkh - Autumn Aurora (2004)

Quite often this album gets voted as the second best album in the Drudkh discography next to their first offering 'Forgotten Legends', a sentiment I just can not share.

This album is one of a very few black metal albums that I can refer to as beautiful, the sense of melancholy and the representation of the change of seasons, the depressing yet uplifting feel of Autumn is presented through a series of long atmospheric repetitive guitar riffs and synths that bring forth an organic and fresh sound to the music of Drudkh and to that of the atmospheric black metal genre.

The defining moment on this album comes in the form of 'sunwheel' a surprisingly optimistic and joyful black metal track with a very melancholic undertone that really highlights all the key things I have mentioned about this album, a track which earns it's place as one of my favourite if not my favourite black metal song.


Genre: Black Metal
Download: Rapidshare
Disclaimer: None of the albums I add are uploaded by myself and are intended for promotional purposes only, if you enjoy the album please support artists by buying records.


- RTG