Lower Silesian Stronghold

ashes to ashes, dust to dust…

As mentioned in previous reviews, Concreteweb is a channel to promote and support (anti-commercial) Music that dwells in spheres of Aural Underground Art. Sonic Supremacy for the Elite, you see… It is not a page to discuss political, ideological, religious, societal or ethic subjects. We all know that our planet is sick – ruined by the human kind – and this trespasses questions about good and evil, or about tolerance versus extremist opinions of any scope. This said…

Welcome to nekrotronic nightmare and terror of your pathetic artificial illusion of life!

Location: East-Anglia, Albion, U.K. (Sacred Dominions) / Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. (Hadak urA)

Members: Shadows (song-writing & lyrics, instruments & vocals, mix; Sacred Dominions) / Koppany Geczy (instruments & vocals, song-writing & mix; Hadak urA)

Mix: Shadows & Koppany Geczy

Mastering: K (master-mind behind the label)

First this: ashes to ashes, dust to dust! No politics, just Mu-sick!

‘Ayyadieh’ refers to a hill where the ‘noble’ King Richard I aka ‘Lionheart’ did massacre hundreds, maybe thousands ‘enemies’ (women and kids included) at the end of the 12^th century. This vengeful thing did happen for real, even-though there is a certain ‘legendary’ veil that covers this story, that glorious expression of revenge against the Muslims (led by the famous sultan Saladin) in a period of conquer and rivalry. It’s a bloodred chapter in history at the time of crusades, marking the blood-thirsty competition of religious fanatism.

A totally new entity from Polish soil came my way very recently. When I noticed that this release was a mutual effort of that new act in collaboration with Lower Silesian Stronghold, it did trigger my attention even more.

One of the many (solo) outfits by English gentleman Nox, here known as Shadows, is called Sacred Dominions. You might recognize this guy as well from projects like the productive duo Wolves Eyes, sadly defunct Forest Grave, Sinisterite (which also includes Molestor Kadotus and Shatraug; unfortunately put on hold), Martial Dungeon Synth act Folcriht or Dark Autumn, amongst several others.

I have never hid my appreciation (I was about to call it ‘passion’, but that sounds way too, eh, friendly, does it not) for the Polish (Black Metal) label Lower Silesian Stronghold. This label might have a specific philosophy, but from sonic point of view – or better: point of listen – they do house some excellent bands on their roster; and therefore some great releases too.

Do you smell it? It’s the scent of transience, the sweet perfume of decay and putrefaction. This is the odour of death…

Hailing from Silesia, Poland, Severe Storm is an outfit by Kolan, whom you might know from bands and projects like Antisemitex, Odour Of Death or Defenders Of Europe, amongst some others.