Darkness (UK) - Darkness (Demo Compilation)

Darkness was a black metal project from the UK formed around 2001. Caranthir, the individual behind it, was a regular in a channel I used to run on DALnet with some others.

This is a compilation of the three demos he released before releasing a full-length in 2003 and then putting the project to rest. Released in 2002 on CD-r, distributed solely by Caranthir.

This contains:
Beast of Misanthropy (Demo 2001) - Tracks 1-3
Destruction of Earth (Demo 2001) - Tracks 4 and 5
Eternal Darkness (Demo 2001) - Tracks 6 and 7
Unreleased Work - Track 8
Carnage (Mayhem Cover) - Track 9

Darkness - Darkness (Demo Compilation)

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Wraithen - In the Hour of 11 11 (Demo Compilation) // Azaghal - Black Terror Metal (Demo 2001)

A rather short lived band from Portland, Oregon. Formed in 1998 or 1999, they released two demos and a split with Bethlehem before disbanding. This compilation contains the demos "Legions of Wormwood" (1999) and "Cult of the 11th Dawn" (2001) and a remastered version of "The Law of Hatred" from the first demo. Released by Looking Black Glass sometime around 2004 if I recall correctly.

 Wraithen - In the Hour of 11 11 (Demo Compilation)

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Azaghal from Finland have been around in one form or another since 1995 when they settled on their current name. This tape was ripped by a friend sometime in 2001 shortly after its release on Chanteloup Creations. It contains material recorded between 1997 and 2001 which consists of 4 original songs and two covers; Bathory and Darkthrone. Tracks 4 and 5 on the tape, 'Peto 666' and 'De Vermis Mysteriis' respectively, are combined into one track due to the fact that they almost blend into one another.

Azaghal - Black Terror Metal (Demo 2001)

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Ichneutic - Rehearsal (2002) /// Darvulia - L'odeur du corbeau mort (Demo 2002)

Rehearsal from 2002 for this British one man project. Released on the now defunct Black Abyss Productions label. Raw black metal ripped from the original tape sometime in the year of release. Split up sometime after 2006. Once I get a functioning tape player again I will try to get a good rip of the 'Nightsky' and 'Desecration' tapes up as well.

 

Ichneutic - Rehearsal (2002)

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Darvulia hail from France and are a two piece outfit. Very straightforward, proficiently played black metal with dissonant riff work that works well to craft a sinister atmosphere. Very distinctly "French" sounding, if that makes any sense.

Darvulia - L'odeur du corbeau mort (Demo 2002)

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Ghoult-Cult - Initiation to the Cult (Demo 2002) // Darkthrone - Clamor (Instrumental Rehearsal)

Since it has been a little while I present two new offerings, both hailing from Norway. Ghoul-Cult, formed in 2001 in Asker/Oslo, Norway, play death/thrash. Darkthrone, also from Norway, need no introduction.

The Ghoul-Cult was ripped from the original tape in 2002, while the Darkthrone was ripped by an acquaintance from Australia some years back. I believe this can be found in various Darkthrone torrent packs floating around on the internet, and I am fairly certain it is the same rip done by my associate. It was recorded sometime between the Cromlech demo, and Soulside Journey in 1991 I was told, but I know nothing more than this. If anyone else does, more information would be appreciated. I am uploading it (far to late) to fulfill a request.

Ghoul-Cult - Initiation to the Cult (Demo 2002)

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Darkthrone - Clamor (Instrumental Rehearsal)

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Demoncy - Ascension Of A Star Long Since Fallen (Rehearsal 1995)

Not much to say here. There is no cover, just an insert that lists this as a rehearsal/the track names and seems to indicate it was recorded prior to the release of the demo with the same name. I don't know much more beyond that, nor did I think to ask the friend who passed this along to me. Ripped from the original tape some in 1998 or 1999.

Demoncy - Ascension Of A Star Long Since Fallen (Rehearsal 1995)

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Echoes from the ossuary depths

After a rather long hiatus brought about by a lack of interest, I have decided to be a bit more active with this. Expect to see more frequent postings as well as contributions from some new caretakers in the tower of silence. They will be properly introduced when the time comes.

The new logo is was drawn by a friend who is quite a talented artist.

You can see more of his work here: A N T E D I L U V I A N

Onwards...

Craft - Total Eclipse (Demo 1999)

Black metal from Sweden. Ripped from the original tape sometime in 1999.

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Nergal (CH) / P.S.F. (CH) - Rite of Beltane / Grotesque Ecstasy (1992)

 Cover is from the Nergal side of the split. Both bands play black/death metal. Released in 1992 on Wild Rags Records, a phenomenal label which is no longer around.

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Decomposing, but still living

I must confess I have been lacking motivation the past few months, hence the long silence.

I shall be returning soon and plan on changing things a bit.

New flesh, new blood. Something along those lines. We shall see.

Kathonik - Conscious Damnation (Demo 1991)

Kathonik hail from Houston, Texas. Formed in 1991 as a death metal band, their style had shifted to black metal by the time they broke up around 2002. The picture below is taken from metal archives, and while the tape in the picture (and my own copy) say "Demo '91", I have heard that it is actually from 1992. I stuck with what was written on the tape, but if anyone can verify this for certain, it would be appreciated. The band can be seen a black metal video compilation that came out sometime ago features only bands from the U.S.. I have the video in its entirety so if anyone is interested I can send it to you.


This recording is some very raw sounding early 90's death metal. Not the best recording, but still some good stuff. I have one or two more of their demos that I will post at some point that are more black metal in flavor.

Kathonik - Conscious Damnation (Demo 1991)

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Goatrot - Frenetic Goat Worship (Demo 2001)

Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and formed in 2000 as a side project of Belial from Lethal Prayer. Goatrot play filthy blasphemous blackened death metal that I find rather hypnotic and ritualistic. Sadly the project is on hold due to Belial's move to Florida and the inability to find a full time drummer or bassist. This remains their only recording to date, although Belial has been trying to revive the project.

Goatrot - Frenetic Goat Worship (Demo 2001)

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S.V.E.S.T. - France (Rehearsal)

Back after another unexpect hiatus. Suffered some hard drive failure and lost a fair amount of stuff I had ripped but things appear to be working again. 

Provided to me from a friend in Australia sometime ago. I quite enjoy this two track rehearsal. The first track is a rather folky sounding introduction. The second track "The Black Art" was featured on their first demo, but this is a different version of the song that is about 3 minutes shorter. This would lead me to believe this rehearsal is from either before their 1998 demo "Scarification of the Soul" or shortly after. There are other variations to the song as well.

I know nothing of this release to be honest and have nothing else to say. If anyone is familiar with this and knows more about it, let me know.

S.V.E.S.T. - France (Rehearsal)

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Carpe Noctem - Days of Dark Winter (Demo 1998) +(2001 Re-Release Bonus track)

Carpe Noctem was a German black metal band formed in 1997. They released a demo and an albumbefore, for all intents and purposes, becoming defunct. While this is nothing special, I really enjoyed this demo quite a lot despite being nothing terribly new. It is raw, effectively played, black metal plain and simple. I have both the original release and later re-released version with a live bonus track so I added that to the post here.The bassist on both of their recordings left in 2003 shortly after the album was released. A few years later he met an interesting demise which can be read about on the metal archives page.

Carpe Noctem - Days of Dark Winter (Demo 1998)

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Lethal Prayer - Evil Filth (Demo 1994)

Back up and running... sort of. Had some problems with my archives that are now sorted out and things can return to as normal as they will get.

To start it off we have Lethal Prayer. Formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1986, Lethal Prayer play no frills old school blasphemous death metal. A few years back I was involved in trading material with Belial, the vocalist/guitarist. He gave me a copy of this tape when he passed through town while playing with Incantation (vocals/guitar) on a tour sometime in 2002. It has been a few years since we last spoke and at that time the project was on hold as he was in the process of relocating to Florida. I'm sure he has restarted it by now, but I have yet to hear anything new, which is a shame.

Lethal Prayer - Evil Filth (Demo 1994)

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More to come....

Due to some extended travel I have not had the chance to post anything new. I have returned and will begin posting anew once I have recovered, and once I have finished ripping a few things I picked up on my travels. I will also be doing a review of the last 'En Nihil' album as well at some point in the near future. This is rapidly becoming something rather unexpected and for someone as disorganized as myself it is quite a task. I haven't forgotten about it, I am just slow.

Expect new things soon is basically all I am trying to say.

Demoncy - Commencement of the Dark Crusades (Demo / Rehearsal 1996)

Recorded in 1996 as a rehearsal,  sometimes credited as a demo. My understanding when I received this from Ixithra was that it was the former. Contains songs that would later appear on the "Within the Sylvan Realms of Frost" album released in the same year. I must admit I slightly prefer the ones on this recording to the album versions.

Demoncy - Commencement of the Dark Crusades (Rehearsal 1996)

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Murdergod Pack (Promo 1995 / Demo 1995 / Demo 1996)

Death metal from Portland, Orgeon. Currently split up with no plans (to my knowledge) of reforming. Members play in various bands in the death/black metal scene in the northwest of the US and Canada.

Murdergod - Murdergod (Promo 1995)

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Murdergod - Torturechrist (Demo 1995)

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Murdergod - God Destroyer (Demo 1996)

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En Nihil - Death Keeps (1997)

En Nihil is a ritual/dark ambient project from California. Formed in 1994 by Adam Fritz, "Death Keeps" was recorded between October 1995 - October 1996 and released by Red Stream in 1997. Excellent atmosphere and best digested, like most things, in its entirety. Still available for purchase from Red Stream if you are so inclined. His newest release, "The Absolute" was released in 2010 by 'Love Earth Music' and is also highly recommended. It is less ambient and more focused on power electronics but equally as excellent.

En Nihil - Death Keeps

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Akitsa / Song of Melkor Split (2001)

Released in 2001 on Heavy Distorpion Records and limited to 70 copies, this tape was sent to me by O.T. of Akitsa upon its release. Both bands play straightforward black metal, but Akitsa (CAN) is noticeably more listenable than Song of Melkor (USA). SoM is another creation of Sado-Stan Dementor, one of the people behind Sadomaniac, which was posted earlier.  The Akitsa tracks were later release on a 'Best of...' album. Sado-Stan Dementor discontinued Song of Melkor sometime in 2002. Rip done from the original tape sometime in 2001.

Akitsa / Song of Melkor - Aube de la Misanthropie

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Mysticum - Piss Off (Promo 1995)

Since Mysticum was mentioned in the post below, and I am feeling particularly charitable this weekend, here is another promo tape. "Piss Off" was released in 1995 strictly as a promo tape for labels/friends and found its way into the vaults thanks to a former acquaintance in Sweden who obtained it from the band. The tracks can be found on the 1996 album "In the Streams of Inferno" and on their demos preceding this release, but the incarnations presented here are my favorite versions. There is a slight skip in track 3 "Wintermass" thanks to a hiccup during the encoding of the raw files. Unfortunately I do not have the ability to re-rip it at the moment. Take it or leave it.

Mysticum - Piss Off (Promo 1995)

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Manes - Promo 1993 (pre-Ved Buens Ende)

Here we have 'Promo 1993', released by the band Manes from Norway (Askim). Not to be confused with the more well-known Manes also from Norway (Trondheim), this one evolved into Ved Buens Ende in 1994 shortly after the release of this promo. I'm sure these tracks are floating around out there somewhere since they were bootlegged on a split with Mysticum, but these are ripped from the original self-released tape. The track times are different from those listed on Metal Archives and that is because MA is wrong. The second track is  longer than the 1:07 credited on the website. Enjoy.

Manes - Promo 1993

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Mayhem - I Love Transylvania / Random Morbid Live Tracks

Ripped from a bootleg vinyl, "I Love Transylvania" is a 7" released in 1999. It contains two unreleased rehearsal tracks with Dead on vocals. Recorded sometime between 1989 and and 1991, there is no date listed on the 7" and no information on who released it.

Mayhem - I Love Transylvania

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Next up are three tracks from Morbid, also with Dead on vocals. Ripped by K88, and taken from a live recording. K88 did not provide me any information on the origins of this recording, but it bears the title "Deathexecution", also the title of a Morbid LP which contained some live tracks. There was no track list provided on the bootleg, but the titles of these tracks appear to be different from what people have been able to determine form listening to the LP. It may be the live tracks from that LP, or they might be different. This is not the same as the "Live in Stockholm" LP which contains a live show from 1987. Recorded on February 26, 1988 in Stockholm.

Morbid - Deathexecution (Live 1988)

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