Lower Silesian Stronghold

Tolkien freaks will recognize the name ‘ohtar’ as being an esquire of King Isildur, who brought the broken pieces of the king’s legendary sword to the elfish city of Rivendell after some cowardly attack. But it is the name as well from a Polish band which was formed more than two decades ago. Ohtar, the band, recorded some demos and split contributions during the late Nineties and the early 2000’s, and in 2003, Supreme Art released the impressive debut full length album When I Cut The Throat (re-released afterwards on vinyl and tape).

[since the scroll-down menu does not go any farther than 2017, you can't see the actual release date, but this album saw the light, sorry, unlight, in 2012]

I have no idea whether Chadenn are still active, or whether they did split up. In each case, they did not release anything anymore since 2012 – and it’s that release that this review will deal with. Why reviewing such an old recording? Well, it is never too late to promote or support older stuff, in honour to the band or, like in this case, to the label involved.

One of the many things I like on Polish label Lower Silesian Stronghold is their quest for new ‘talent’. On their roster, they house quite some artists / projects / bands that are sort of eternally related to each-other. This loyalty is remarkable and must be hailed. Yet then again, Lower Silesian Stronghold do not mind giving opportunities to completely new acts either. And what’s more, artificial boundaries are neglectable.

Lyon is a very old French city (founded by the Romans more than two millennia ago), at the feet of the Alpes, and not that far away from the Swiss border. The city has a beautiful centre, several acceptable wine houses (it’s there where Rhône and Saone ‘melt’ together), and it houses the head office of Interpol. Lyon also is home to LeibStandarte (not the Greek one), a young formation that recorded and independently released a very limited three-track demo in 2017. FYI: the tracks from that demonstrational recording return on their debut.

Muruth was formed in 2008 by a guy from Slovakia, known as von Ulfhednir. That very same year, a short demonstrational recording was released digitally (with assistance of a session singer), but then things turned into silence.

A short one, for this review is meant as a preview on an upcoming one for the very same band…

[release date: March 25th 2014]

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

Nachtfrost is the name for a young project from Macedonia (the Greek part, not the FYROM! Krieg!), started by Lord Konrad aka Orthanc. There were some demonstrational recordings, which Orthanc created and performed himself, occasionally helped out by some guest musicians. The very same goes for the first full length album, Spectral Domains Of Dusk, which he wrote in 2016 and 2017, and which he recorded in between Summer 2017 and Winter 2018.

At the feet of the Alpes, covered in snow and veiled by icy winds… A Beautiful area, unspoiled nature, nice food, splendid wines (though…) and Walküre… Welcome to Saint-Etienne…

I used to be a ‘fan’ of Sol Invictus, but then I am talking about the project by Death In June’s Tony Wakeford (and apparently they reformed once more – but that is another thing). Another band with this moniker will be my next Sol Invictus adoration.