Century Media has announced the ultimate box set (anthology) of ULVER. This release will present the formative (metal) years of Ulver, and its title is Trolsk Sortmetall 1993-1997.
It will contain the albums Bergtatt (1994), Kveldssanger (1995) and Nattens Madrigal (1996), collectively known as The Trilogie Three Journeyes Through The Norwegian Netherworlde (released under this title as a 1000 limited edition triple picture vinyl box set in 1997).
Additional contents will be the bands rudimentary but legendary demo tape Vargnatt (1993) plus the rare compilation track Synen (Cthulhu Records 1997) as well as a recently unearthed 4-track rehearsal recording of tracks from Nattens Madrigal, which have been a well-kept secret until this very day.
With the exception of Nattens Madrigal, which is still the ferocious sounding black beast it always was, but now has a slightly more compassionate re-mastering courtesy of Tom Kvalsvoll at Strype Audio, Oslo, all the material has been carefully and considerably re-mastered to analog tape by Jaime Gomes Arellano in Orgone Studios, London and consulted by Ulvers mastermind Kristoffer Rygg.
Mark Pilkington, of Strange Attractor Press UK, will be supplying liner notes offering a hermetic look into the early history and histrionics of Ulver, whilst Jon `Metalion` Kristiansen, author and publisher of Slayer Mag and founder of Head Not Found Records (where Bergtatt and Kveldssanger were originally released), will write his personal reminiscence about his relations with this massively influential band.
Trolsk Sortmetall 19931997 will be released as a brazen 5-CD box set with a canvas-bound slipcase and 100+ page booklet as well as a 4LP box (plus cassette). The entire layout will be done by Metastazis, Paris, who has previously worked with Ulver and has for this design been given access to lots of never before seen archival material.
With a total playing time of nearly three hours, Trolsk Sortmetall 1993-1997 is bound to become an essential epitome documenting the nascent days of these Norwegian (black) metal luminaries.
Important note from Century Media: As many of you might have noticed, the albums Bergtatt and Kveldssanger have recently been bootlegged on vinyl, allegedly by two European labels (one from Belgium, one from the Netherlands). Those bootlegs both look and sound sub par. We highly advise you not to spend a single penny on any of those rip-off releases. If you are one of those who have been waiting patiently for these classic albums to finally get released on high quality vinyl, please wait for a few more months and get the definitive official editions instead, fully supported by the band. We guarantee you good things come to those who wait!
Good if ye don't own any Ulver. In the event that you do not, GTFOoRC!
