Horde Hellig Usvart
Rowe Productions Re-release 2004
By Jason Jordan
So, its been a full decade since Hordes one and only full-length was unleashed, and Rowe Productions is beefing up Hellig Usvart for another momentary lapse. Your allegiance probably lies in one of two camps: 1. you love the band and lament on a daily basis that another record will never see the light of day, or 2. you thought and still think that the group sucked.
First of all, its impressive to note that Anonymous practically orchestrated all of Hellig Usvart, including music, art, production, layout, and mixing; this same person was later discovered to be none other than Jayson Sherlocke (ex-Mortification, ex-Paramaecium). A Church Bell Tolls Amidst the Frozen Nordic Winds is a short introduction, and relays exactly what the title foreshadows. Blasphemous Abomination of the Satanic Pentagram blasts in with fury, but only lasts the better part of forty-five seconds. Immediately, Behold, the Rising of the Scarlet Moon comes in with its black metal ramblings. It sounds as if Sherlocke listened to early Darkthrone and decided to put out an album in the same vein. Thine Hour Hast Come, as mentioned in the previous sentence, is strikingly similar to a number Darkthrone might coin. In other words, a captivating riff coupled with standard drumming and excellent black metal vokills. Do I hear cowbell?! Release and Clothe the Virgin Sacrifice begins as most other tracks do: blastbeats, ornate guitar musings, distorted vocalizations. Drink from the Chalice of Blood has some nice guitar leads, which are punctuated by a simplistic-yet-fitting drumbeat. Silence the Blasphemous Chanting is rather ordinary. Invert the Inverted Cross, which is definitely in the running for worst song title of all time, features arresting double-bass rhythms; the song has a formidable groove.
Moreover, An Abandoned Grave Bathes Softly in the Falling Moonlight commences by utilizing familiar schemes, but Sherlockes rants become more necrotic here. Crush the Bloodied Horns of the Goat, Weak, Feeble and Dying Antichrist, and The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust finalize Hordes portions. But included in this explicit 10th Anniversary Edition is a bonus track, which was recorded under the name of Beheadoth for inclusion within a compilation. The aforementioned retains an even rawer format from Hellig Usvart, and is enjoyable in its own right. More cowbell ensues. Its sort of endearing, though.
Overall, Im going to highly recommend this album, because its an exemplification of what I like my black metal to be. Sherlocke definitely isnt as talented as, say, Emperor, Immortal, or [insert early 90s black metal band here], but his compositions reek of musical quality and are interesting to boot. Plus, the cover art of Hellig Usvart is one of my very favorites. The sprucing up of Hordes only output should further entice you to give a listen, if you havent already.
9/10
Official Rowe Productions website
Rowe Productions Re-release 2004
By Jason Jordan
So, its been a full decade since Hordes one and only full-length was unleashed, and Rowe Productions is beefing up Hellig Usvart for another momentary lapse. Your allegiance probably lies in one of two camps: 1. you love the band and lament on a daily basis that another record will never see the light of day, or 2. you thought and still think that the group sucked.
First of all, its impressive to note that Anonymous practically orchestrated all of Hellig Usvart, including music, art, production, layout, and mixing; this same person was later discovered to be none other than Jayson Sherlocke (ex-Mortification, ex-Paramaecium). A Church Bell Tolls Amidst the Frozen Nordic Winds is a short introduction, and relays exactly what the title foreshadows. Blasphemous Abomination of the Satanic Pentagram blasts in with fury, but only lasts the better part of forty-five seconds. Immediately, Behold, the Rising of the Scarlet Moon comes in with its black metal ramblings. It sounds as if Sherlocke listened to early Darkthrone and decided to put out an album in the same vein. Thine Hour Hast Come, as mentioned in the previous sentence, is strikingly similar to a number Darkthrone might coin. In other words, a captivating riff coupled with standard drumming and excellent black metal vokills. Do I hear cowbell?! Release and Clothe the Virgin Sacrifice begins as most other tracks do: blastbeats, ornate guitar musings, distorted vocalizations. Drink from the Chalice of Blood has some nice guitar leads, which are punctuated by a simplistic-yet-fitting drumbeat. Silence the Blasphemous Chanting is rather ordinary. Invert the Inverted Cross, which is definitely in the running for worst song title of all time, features arresting double-bass rhythms; the song has a formidable groove.
Moreover, An Abandoned Grave Bathes Softly in the Falling Moonlight commences by utilizing familiar schemes, but Sherlockes rants become more necrotic here. Crush the Bloodied Horns of the Goat, Weak, Feeble and Dying Antichrist, and The Day of Total Armageddon Holocaust finalize Hordes portions. But included in this explicit 10th Anniversary Edition is a bonus track, which was recorded under the name of Beheadoth for inclusion within a compilation. The aforementioned retains an even rawer format from Hellig Usvart, and is enjoyable in its own right. More cowbell ensues. Its sort of endearing, though.
Overall, Im going to highly recommend this album, because its an exemplification of what I like my black metal to be. Sherlocke definitely isnt as talented as, say, Emperor, Immortal, or [insert early 90s black metal band here], but his compositions reek of musical quality and are interesting to boot. Plus, the cover art of Hellig Usvart is one of my very favorites. The sprucing up of Hordes only output should further entice you to give a listen, if you havent already.
9/10
Official Rowe Productions website
