Ok I'm mailing the CD tomorrow with these notes, and that will be it.
Limbonic Art – “In Abhorrence Dementia” (Norway)
Just to warn you, this will be the most frightening track on this compilation, so I’m getting out of the way first. This is symphonic black metal at its finest. Atmospheric guitars, lightning fast drumming (this band uses a drum computer) and screamed vocals are the core elements of black metal. However, the symphonic aspect shines through with multiple layers of keyboards and synthesizers later in the track there are what’s called “clean vocals” (actual singing).
Mercyful Fate – “Evil” (Denmark)
This is from an album that came out in 1983, while metal was in its early adolescence (Black Sabbath conceived the genre in 1969).
Satyricon – “Dark Medieval Times” (Norway)
This is from the album that pioneered Medieval Metal. Satyricon compose standard black metal with medieval-ish melodies and combine it with folk instruments like acoustic guitars and flutes.
Summoning – “Where Hope and Daylight Die” (Austria)
This is a two-man project who base their theme on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Summoning compose symphonic black metal with minimalist guitar and drum lines, overlaid with atmospheric synthesizers and keyboards. On this song, my favorite from the band, a guest female vocalist interplays with an emotive guitar lead.
Pentagram – “Broken Vows” (USA)
Back to the 1980’s, where this Texas band helped develop the genre of Doom Metal, which is basically heavy metal with a slower tempo and a guitar tone that more the bass.
Nokturnal Mortum – “Perun’s Celestial Silver” (Ukraine)
These Slavs combine folk music with symphonic black metal to paint an impressive picture. A common practice in this genre is to use a keyboard melody and beef it up from beneath with guitar harmonies (which happens about a minute into this song).
Arcturus – “Evacuation Code Deciphered” (Norway)
This song is from one of the first metal albums I ever bought. Arcturus dabble in the avant-garde, and this album represents their “outer space” phase. The singer on this tracks, Simen Hestnaes, is my idol and favorite vocalist of all time.
Countess – “Lof Der Gemaskerde” (Netherlands)
Dutch metal! This one-man project showcases the more rock n’ roll side of black metal.
Alatyr – “Hviezdy” (Slovakia)
Nick Adams discovered this band’s debut album on his trip to Europe. It’s black metal that uses rich sense of atmosphere and melancholy folk melodies to deliver its affect.
Opeth – “Face of Melinda” (Sweden)
This band is hard to classify, but it is one of the more “popular” bands I listen to. Most call it Extreme Progressive Metal.
Borknagar – “The Winterway” (Norway)
This is the band on the sweatshirt I had you get me for Christmas. Borknagar was one of my first bands, which I discovered late in 2005. It remains to this day my favorite band of all time (though Limbonic Art and Emperor are close).
did you even read the interview? It contains nothing re: genre implications. Vomit Remnants calls themselves "hyper groove brutality." They're quite clearly just brutal death metal. What bands classify themselves as doesn't fucking matter because they just play the music. It's not up to them nor is it their obligation at all (as artists) to know "where they stand" in reference to a style or genre.
