CD

In order to promote this somewhat underestimated split-release, I will try to give it some additional promotion, because There’s Never Silence In The Mist deserves this. And so does Satanath Records.

I first wanted to introduce this band as a side-project of Dreadlord, but actually they are both so differing from each other, so that I will not do so. Besides, Satanic Assault Division are quite active, in contradiction to Dreadlord lately, which would be denigrating for Satanic Assault Division. Anyway, these Danish guys return with their second album, a year and a half after March To Victory.

Once again I will take care of an ‘old’ album, because that’s my way of showing gratitude to a label that cares about music and bands rather than money (though I am sure each single album they will sell, maybe because of this review (?), might be welcomes with open arms; and why not anyway). No, seriously, Aesthetic Death were so kind to offer me this debut of Dutch formation Ortega as part of a hugely interesting parcel, so there is no reason why not to write at least some words about it.

Norse, hailing from New South Wales (Australia), will celebrate their tenth anniversary this year, but before this party, there’s another reason to celebrate: their newest epos, called Pest, and released this time via India-based Transcending Obscurity, one of the most professional and devoted labels I came in touch with lately.

With a lyrical concept based on the cycle of seasons, Galar return with De Gjenlevende, their third album, which was recorded mainly at the (underestimated) Conclave & Earshot Studio with Bjørnar E. Nilsen (think: Taake, Vulture Industries, Dead To This World, Helheim, Byfrost and many more). Still based on the duo M. Kristiansen (harsh vocals, guitars and bass) and A.B.

Fortid originally hail from Iceland. They were formed as one-man outfit in 2002 by Einar Thorberg Guðmundsson ‘Eldur’ (think: Potentiam, Curse, Thule, and recently also in Den Saakaldte or Midnattsvrede).

It is (almost) always nice to receive unexpected material by a band of a label with the question if undersigned is interested in doing a review for their stuff. Sometimes it’s rather a task, a heavy weight to accept, then again there are hidden treasures that suddenly appear and that do deserve my full attention. And sometimes it is somewhere in between a blessing and a curse.

Chaos Altar are a one-man project by a guy called Executor, formed after the demise of Nir’um’Tuk. Since I never heard the sole EP by Nir’um’Tuk, I can’t compare both projects, but I am pretty sure Chaos Altar can be called the logical successor. As a matter of fact, the lyrics have been written once again by Asphodel, who did the very same for the Nir’um’Tuk-EP.

Italian act A Monumental Black Statue was formed as a more Pagan / NS-oriented outlet for some Criptum-members, but soon they became more active than Criptum. A Monumental Black Statue released three recordings before, and actually this one was originally supposed to be the second Criptum-full length. Yet since the latter did split up…

The scene from New Zealand might not be as big as the Australian one, but there are quite some promising acts dwelling out there lately.