Our e-mail Newsletter for August 27, 2004

Hails BLACKMETAL.COM List Member,

This week we feature New Arrivals and Restocks from Century Media, Mercenary Music and much more!


HOT NEW ARRIVALS IN STOCK NOW:

* HEGEMOON / RUNES OF DIANCEHT (Nokturnal Mortum) "(split)" CD
* SLAYER (Norway) "Issue #17" MAGAZINE
* WATAIN "Casus Luciferi" CD
* WATAIN "Rabid Death's Curse + Bonus Track!" CD
* ANVIL (Attila/Korog, Orcustus, Goatsnake, Khanate, Thorrs Hammer, Place of Skulls, Saint Vitus, Obsessed, Probot) "Issue# 2 (with Bonus Enhanced disc!)" MAGAZINE +CD
* DAWN "Slaughtersun + Naer Solen Gar Niber For Evogher +Bonus Trx!" DOUBLE-CD
* GRAVE (Coercion, Therion) "Fiendish Regression + 2 Bonus Trx!" CD
* XASTHUR "Telepathic With The Deceased" CD
* 1349 (Satyricon) "Beyond the Apocalypse" CD
* SOLITUDE AETERNUS "Into the Depths of Sorrow (reissue) + Bonus Trx!" CD
* INFERNUM (Capricornus, Graveland, Lord Wind, Thors Hammer, Veles) "Taur Nu Fuin (reissue on Supernal, UK)" CD
* BROCAS HELM "Defender of the Crown" DIGIPAK CD
* ANAL BLAST "Battered Bleeding Bitch (+ Bonus Live Trx!)" CD
* INTRUDER "Live To Die... Relived (+ 7 Bonus Trx!)" DOUBLE-LP HEAVY BLUE-COLOURED VINYLS
* DIMMU BORGIR "Death Cult Armageddon (Ozzfest edition)" LARGE POSTER
* RUFFIANS (Vicious Rumors, Villain) "Ruffians (Ltd.-Ed.)" HEAVY RED-COLOURED VINYL LP
* ARAGORN "Noonday - The Aragorn Anthology" CD
* CHAOSBREED (Amorphis, Black League, Gandalf, Sentenced) "Brutal (+2 video-clips, & Bonus compilation disc!)" DOUBLE CD
* DECEASED "Fearless Undead Machines (reissue)" DOUBLE-LP VINYLS
* KING DIAMOND "The Puppet Master" VINYL LP
* TERRORIZER "Issue #122" MAGAZINE +CD
* TERRORIZER "Issue #121" MAGAZINE +CD
* IN FLAMES "Colony" CD
* HAMMERFALL "Legacy of Kings (Deluxe Edition - import!)" CD
* CROWN, THE "Crowned Unholy" CD +DVD
* TYRANTS REIGN "Tyrant's Reign" CD
* INTRUDER "Live To Die... Relived + 6 Bonus Trx!" CD
* SIX FEET UNDER "Live With Full Force" CD +DVD
* SLAUGHTER (Canada) + Chuck Schuldiner (Death) "Fuck of Death" VINYL LP
* DEVILS WHOREHOUSE (Marduk) "Revelation Unorthodox" VINYL LP
* BLESSED DEATH "Destined For Extinction + 7 Bonus Trx!" CD


====================================================
NEW ARRIVALS NOW AVAILABLE at BLACKMETAL.COM for 8/27/04:
(check http://www.blackmetal.com for up-to-the-minute availability)

MORE RECOMMENDED HOT NEW RELEASES IN STOCK:

ABIGOR "Nachthymnen + Orkblut- Retaliation" CD
ABSCESS (Autopsy, Hexx, Ravenous) "Thirst for Blood, Hunger for Flesh (rarities: demos, 'vinyl-only', + 'previously-unreleased' tracks!)" CD
AGATHODAIMON "Serpent's Embrace" CD
ALGOL / SHROUD OF DESPONDENCY "Whispers from an Empty Room (split)" CD
APOKALYPTIC RAIDS "Return Of The Satanic Rites" CD
AUTOPSY "Dead As Fuck" CD
AVENGER "Godless" CD
BAHIMIRON "Hunting Down the Weak (RED-coloured)" VINYL EP
BATHORY "Jubelium III" VINYL LP
BATHORY "Requiem" VINYL LP
BLACKMETAL.COM CLOCK "BAPHOMET: GOAT OF MENDES" WALL CLOCK
BORKNAGAR "Epic" CD in SLIPCASE
CARPATHIAN FOREST "Skjend Hans Lik" VINYL LP
CRUACHAN "Pagan" CD
CULT OF CATHARSIS / OPUS FORGOTTEN "(split)" DIGIPAK CD
CULT OF DAATH "Logo" VINYL STICKER
CULT OF DAATH "Razor War (LTD. 'DIEHARD' Edition +PATCH, STICKER & POSTER!)" VINYL PIC-DISC EP
CULT OF DAATH "Under the Cover of the Triumphant Holocaust" CD
DAEMONLORD "End Of An Era, The" VINYL LP
DARK FUNERAL "De Profundis Clamavi Ad Te Domine" DOUBLE-LP PIC-DISC VINYLS
DARKEST HOUR "The Mark of the Judas *(SALE: $9.99 only!)" VINYL LP
DEATHSPAWNED DESTROYER (Bloodthirst, Impious Havoc) "First Bestial Butchery" CD
DEFINITION SANE (Lucifugum) "Psychodelirium" CD
DEMON REALM "A Legend Of Power" CD
DERKETA (Nunslaughter) "Goddess of Death" CD
DIMMU BORGIR "Death Cult Armageddon *(OzzFest 2004 Edition with Bonus Disc!)" DOUBLE-CD in SLIPCASE
EXORDIUM (Finland) "Exordium" MCD
FALL TO YOUR KNEES PISSING (Clandestine Blaze, Black Mass Of Absu, Apoptose, Winterblut, Incriminated, Ares Kingdom, Exterminate, Deathchurch) "FTYKP issue# 4" ZINE
FINNTROLL "Nattfodd" CD
HATE FOREST "Battlefields" CD
HATE FOREST "Purity" CD
HELLBOUND / DESPITE "(split)" CD
IMPIOUS HAVOC "At the Ruins of the Holy Kingdom" VINYL LP
INCRIMINATED / TUSKA "Ten Hail Marys (split)" CD
INFERNAL MAJESTY "One Who Points To Death" CD
INFERNAL WAR / WARHEAD (Poland) "Explosion" CD
INIMICAL / SECT "The Other Gods / Wrath of the Lost (split)" CD
LEAVES' EYES (Atrocity, Theatre of Tragedy) "Lovelorn" LTD ED DIGIBOOK CD
LEVIATHAN (Sweden) "Far Beyond the Light" CD
LUCIFUGUM "Stigma Egoism" CD
MAGISTER "(self-titled)" CD
MALDOROR KOLLECTIVE "New Era Viral Order (+ Bonus remix by MZ.412)" CD
MASOKISMI "Hapeallinen Siveysoppi" CD
MASSEMORD "Obscura Symphonia" CD
MERCY (Candlemass) "Underground" CD
MIRROR OF DECEPTION "Mirrorsoil" CD
MUST MISSA "Ma Ei Talu Valgust" CD
NEBEL TORVUM "Fallen Leaves Forgotten" PRO-CDR
NOW "Nowia" CD
NUNSLAUGHTER / CENTINEX "(split)" VINYL EP
PROCREATION "Rebirth Into Evil (1990) / Coming of Hate (1991) + POSTER!" VINYL LP *on Nuclear War Now! Records
REVENGE "Logo" VINYL STICKER
RUNEMAGICK "On Funeral Wings" CD
SABBAT "Logo" VINYL STICKER
SABBAT "Sabbatical Satanachrist Slaughter" T-SHIRT
SABBAT (Japan) "Hamaguri Resurrection" VINYL EP
SARCOFAGO "I.N.R.I. +Bonus Trx! +POSTER & Large Booklet!" VINYL PICDISC LP
SARCOFAGO "I.N.R.I. / Logo" VINYL STICKER
SARCOFAGO "I.N.R.I. Set of 4 (full-color pinbacks)" LARGE PHOTO-BUTTONS
SATYRICON "Volcano + Bonus Video-clip!" CD
SEAR BLISS "Glory & Perdition" CD
SIN ORIGIN "Night Aeternal" CD
SIN ORIGIN / VELONNIC SIN "Beyond the Cemetery Gates / Daemonized Dreams (split)" CD
SYKDOM (Norway) "Intet Liv (Anti-life)" CD
THERION "Lemuria + Sirius B (2 separate albums in 1 set!) LTD-ED. IMPORT!" DOUBLE-CD DIGIPAK
THROES OF DAWN "Quicksilver Clouds" CD
V/A (Anarazel, Battalion, Misery's Omen, Myrddraal, NUCLEAR WINTER, STRIBORG, etc) "PESTILENTIA AUSTRALIS" CD
VON "Satanic Blood Angel" POSTER
WITCHES HAMMER (pre- Blasphemy) "Canadian Speed Metal" POSTER

For more New Arrivals go to:
http://www.blackmetal.com/new.html

====================================================
RESTOCKS NOW AVAILABLE at BLACKMETAL.COM for 8/27/04:
(check http://www.blackmetal.com for up-to-the-minute availability)

Many featured RESTOCKS have very special LOWERED PRICES but are available in LIMITED QUANTITES - so hurry!

* BEHERIT "Drawing Down the Moon" CD
* FROST (Anaal Nathrakh) "Cursed Again" CD
* ENTHRALL "Subterranean Movement" CD
* MELECHESH (Absu) "Sphynx" CD
* PENTAGRAM (Chile) "Reborn 2001 +Bonus Videoclip!" DIGIPAK CD
* KOVENANT (COVENANT, Norway), THE "Animatronic" CD
* SAMAEL "Eternal" VINYL LP
* DARKTHRONE "Transilvanian Hunger (Ltd-Ed.) +Bonus interview videoclip!" DIGIPAK CD
* DIMMU BORGIR "Stormblast" PIC DISC VINYL LP
* MAYHEM "Deathcrush (reissue)" PIC-DISC VINYL LP
* EMPEROR "IX Equilibrium" CD
* EMPEROR "Anthems To the Welkin at Dusk (Re-Mastered) +Bonus Trx!" CD
* EMPEROR "Emperor + Wrath of the Tryant" CD
* IMMORTAL "Sons Of Northern Darkness" CD (in Jewel-Case)
* THERION "The Crowning of Atlantis" CD
* IRON ANGEL "Hellish Crossfire + Bonus-Trx!" CD
* BATHORY "The Return..." CD
* BATHORY "Under the Sign of Black Mark" CD
* BATHORY "Blood Fire Death" CD
* BATHORY "Twilight of the Gods" CD
* BATHORY "Hammerheart" CD
* BATHORY "Jubileum (Best Of...) Vol. I" CD
* BATHORY "Nordland I" CD
* BATHORY "Nordland II" CD
* BURZUM "Hlidskjalf (USA Version)" CD
* CRADLE OF FILTH "Vempire" PIC DISC VINYL LP
* CRADLE OF FILTH "Principle of Evil Made Flesh" PIC DISC VINYL LP
* EDGE OF SANITY "Nothing But Death Remains" CD
* ENSLAVED "Live Retaliation +6 Bonus Trx!" DVD
* ENSLAVED "Frost" CD
* ENSLAVED "Blodhemn" CD
* ENSLAVED "Monumension + HOV Bonus Trk. (LTD. Osmose import!)" CD in SLIPCASE!
* ENSLAVED "Viking Ligr Veldi" CD
* GREEN CARNATION "Journey To The End Of The Night" CD
* IMMORTAL "Pure Holocaust" CD
* LEGION, THE (MARDUK) "Unseen To Creation" CD
* STYGGMYR "World Massacre" CD
* ANGEL CORPSE "The Inexorable" CD
* BEHEMOTH "Conjuration" DIGIPAK CD
* RUNEMAGICK "Requiem of the Apocalypse (enhanced!)" CD+
* DISSECTION "Somberlain, The" CD

AFTER FOREVER "Decipher" DOUBLE-LP VINYLS
AGATHODAIMON "Chapter III" CD
ALGHAZANTH "Subliminal Antenora" CD
ALTAR "Ego Art" CD
ALTAR "Youth Against Christ" CD
ANAAL NATHRAKH "Codex Necro, The" CD
ANGEL CORPSE "The Inexorable" CD
ANNIHILATUS "Blood & War" CD
ANTON LAVEY (Church of Satan) "SATANIC MASS" CD
ASGAROTH "Red Shift" DIGIPAK CD
AUBERON "The Tale of Black" CD
BATHORY "Blood Fire Death" CD
BATHORY "Blood On Ice" VINYL LP
BATHORY "Destroyer Of Worlds" VINYL LP
BATHORY "Hammerheart" CD
BATHORY "Jubileum (Best Of...) Vol. I" CD
BATHORY "Jubileum (Best Of...) Vol. I" DOUBLE-LP VINYLS
BATHORY "Nordland I" CD
BATHORY "Nordland II" CD
BATHORY "Octagon" VINYL LP
BATHORY "The Return..." CD
BATHORY "Twilight of the Gods" CD
BATHORY "Under the Sign of Black Mark" CD
BEHEMOTH "Conjuration" DIGIPAK CD
BEHERIT "Drawing Down the Moon (original import!)" CD
BETHZAIDA "LXXVII" CD
BURNING INSIDE (Acheron, Black Witchery, Death, Control Denied) "The Eve of the Entities" CD
BURZUM "Hlidskjalf (USA Version)" CD
CALL, THE (AD HOMINEM, Germany) "The Call" MCD
CENTINEX "Hellbrigade" CD
CRADLE OF FILTH "Principle of Evil Made Flesh" PIC DISC VINYL LP
CRADLE OF FILTH "Vempire" PIC DISC VINYL LP
CULT OF DAATH "Razor War" VINYL EP
DARK AT DAWN "Crimson Frost" CD
DARK SANCTUARY "De Lumierre et d'Obscurite" DIGIPAK CD
DARKTHRONE "Transilvanian Hunger (Ltd-Ed.) +Bonus interview videoclip!" DIGIPAK CD
DIABOLICUM (Dissection, Setherial, Enslaved) "The Dark Blood Rising" CD
DIMMU BORGIR "Death Cult Armageddon" STICKER
DIMMU BORGIR "Stormblast" PIC DISC VINYL LP
DISSECTION "Somberlain, The" CD
DR. SHRINKER "Grotesque Wedlock" CD
DRUDKH (Hate Forest) "Forgotten Legends" CD
EBONY TEARS "Evil As Hell *(original import version from Sweden!)" CD
EDGE OF SANITY "Nothing But Death Remains" CD
EMPEROR "Anthems To the Welkin at Dusk (Re-Mastered) +Bonus Trx!" CD
EMPEROR "Emperor + Wrath of the Tryant" CD
EMPEROR "IX Equilibrium" CD
EMPEROR "In the Nightside Eclipse (+2 BONUS TRACKS!)" CD
ENSLAVED "Blodhemn" CD
ENSLAVED "Frost" CD
ENSLAVED "Live Retaliation +6 Bonus Trx!" DVD
ENSLAVED "Monumension + HOV Bonus Trk. (LTD. Osmose import!)" CD in SLIPCASE!
ENSLAVED "Viking Ligr Veldi" CD
ENTHRALL "Subterranean Movement" CD
FROST (Anaal Nathrakh) "Cursed Again" CD
GORGOROTH "Antichrist" CD
GORGOROTH "Pentagram" CD
GORGOROTH "Under the Sign of Hell" CD
GREEN CARNATION "Journey To The End Of The Night" CD
HELLKULT (Azaghal, Wyrd) "The Collection" CD
IMMORTAL "Pure Holocaust" CD
IMMORTAL "Sons Of Northern Darkness" CD (in Jewel-Case)
IMMORTAL FATE "Beautiful (red vinyl!)" RED-VINYL LP
IN AETERNUM "The Pestilent Plague (Gatefold!)" VINYL LP
IRON ANGEL "Hellish Crossfire + Bonus-Trx!" CD
KOVENANT (COVENANT, Norway), THE "Animatronic" CD
KRIEG (Judas Iscariot, Weltmacht) "Church, The" MCD
KRIEG (Weltmacht) "Destruction Ritual" CD
LEGION, THE (MARDUK) "Unseen To Creation" CD
MASSEMORD (Norway) "Skogen Kaller" CD
MAYHEM "Deathcrush (reissue)" PIC-DISC VINYL LP
MELECHESH (Absu) "Sphynx" CD
MOR DAGOR (Belphegor) "Human Execution" CD
NAGLFAR (Sweden) "Ex Inferis" CD
NOCTURNAL RITES "Sacred Talisman" CD
NOKTURNAL MORTUM "Goat Horns" CD
OLD PAGAN "Menschenverachtung" CDR
OPERA IX "Maleventum" DIGIPAK CD
OPERATION WINTER MIST "Winter Warfare II" CD
PENTAGRAM (Chile) "Reborn 2001 +Bonus Videoclip!" DIGIPAK CD
PRIMAL FEAR "Nuclear Fire + Bonus Track! (import!)" CD
RUNEMAGICK "Requiem of the Apocalypse (enhanced!)" CD+
SALTUS "Slavonic Pride" VINYL LP
SAMAEL "Eternal" VINYL LP
SATHANAS "Black Earth (1996)" CD
SATHANAS "Thy Dark Heavens (2001)" CD
SEAR BLISS "Forsaken Symphony" CD
SEAR BLISS "Grand Destiny" CD
SHINING (Mayhem) "III - Angst" CD
SLAYER "God Hates Us All" DIGIPAK-CD
STRIBORG "Misanthropic isolation / in the Heart of the Rainforest" CD
STRIBORG "Nocturnal Emissions / Nyctophobia" CD
STYGGMYR "World Massacre" CD
THERION "The Crowning of Atlantis" CD
ULVER "Madrigal of the Night (Nattens Madrigal)" CD
UNCREATION'S DAWN *(Northern Heritage, Finland!) "Deathmarch Over... +Bonus Trx.!" CD
V/A (Annihilatus, Bloodhammer, Clandestine Blaze, Incriminated) "Primitive Finland" CD (Flat)
VON "Logo / Pentagram" Cloth PATCH
VON "Satanic Blood Angel" CD
WASP (W.A.S.P.) "Crimson Idol" CD


For more Restocked Items go to:
http://www.blackmetal.com/restocks.html

====================================================
VINTAGE ANNEX:
Don't forget to check our VINTAGE ANNEX for hard to find & OOP NWOBHM,
Heavy Metal, Death Metal and more vintage metal-related items! Looking
for a specific out of print album? Try our VINTAGE ANNEX today!
(check http://www.blackmetal.com/vintage/ for up-to-the-minute availability)

RECENT ADDITIONS to VINTAGE ANNEX for 8/27/04:

* ANVIL "Metal On Metal" VINYL LP
* ANVIL BITCH "Rise To Offend (used: NM)" VINYL LP
* ATLAIN "G.O.E. + Bonus Trx.!" CD
* BUFFALO "Volcanic Rock" 180gm VINYL LP
* BUFFALO (Australia) "Dead Forever" 180gm VINYL LP
* CAPITALIST CASUALTIES "Disassembly Line" VINYL LP
* CULPRIT "Guilty As Charged +3 Bonus-Trx!" CD
* DAMIEN (Ohio) "Every Dog Has Its Day (used: VG+/EXC.) WHITE-LABEL promo!" VINYL LP
* DAMIEN OMEN II "A Black Mass - Original Soundtrack *(NEW / SEALED!)" VINYL LP
* DED ENGINE "Ded Engine (NEW, Sealed: punched)" VINYL LP
* DOKKEN "Back For The Attack" CD
* DOKKEN "Beast From The East" CD
* EMERALD "Iron On Iron" CD
* ENGLISH DOGS "All The World's A Rage" CD
* ENGLISH DOGS "Bow To None" CD
* ENGLISH DOGS "I've Got A Gun - Live" CD
* EXPLOITED, THE "Troops of Tomorrow" VINYL PIC DISC
* FATES WARNING "Parallels" CD
* FIFTH ANGEL "Time Will Tell (used: EXC./NM) gold-stamped promo" VINYL LP
* HEATHEN "Recovered" CD
* HELLION "The Live Uh Oh Album (autographed!)" CD
* INTRINSIC "Intrinsic *(used: NM; gold-stamped promo)" VINYL LP
* INTRUDER "A Higher Form Of Killing" CASSETTE*
* JUDAS PRIEST "Electric Eye" DVD
* MORIFADE "Possession of Power" CD
* NERGAL / PSF "(split)" VINYL EP
* PILEDRIVER "Metal Inquisition" CD
* RAVAGE "Wrecking Ball *(NEW / Sealed!)" VINYL LP
* RIISTETYT "As Prisoner Of State" VINYL LP
* RIISTETYT "Skitsofrenia" VINYL LP
* RUNAWAYS "Cherry Bomb" VINYL LP
* TATTOO "Blood Red *(New / Sealed)" VINYL LP
* TORTURE (USA) "Terror Kingdom" VINYL LP
* TT QUICK "Metal Of Honor *(New / Sealed)" VINYL LP
* VENDETTA "Brain Damage *(Used: EXC+) promo" VINYL LP
* W.A.S.P. (WASP) "Live... In The Raw *(NEW / Sealed) gold-stamped promo" VINYL LP
* WARLOCK (Doro Pesch) "True As Steel (Used: VG/EX)" VINYL LP
* WRATHCHILD AMERICA "Climbin' the Walls (used: EXC.) promo" VINYL LP

For more Vintage Annex items go to:
http://www.blackmetal.com/vintage/

====================================================
BOOK ANNEX:
Don't forget to check our BOOK ANNEX for hard-to-find occult classics new and
old! We are adding new books almost daily - so check back often!
(check http://www.blackmetal.com/bookannex/ for up-to-the-minute availability)

RECENT ADDITIONS to the BOOK ANNEX for 8/27/04:

* LIGUORI, MICHAEL (VELONNIC SIN) "Thrones of Magic: Nightmoor Fantasy" Paperback BOOK
* Anton LaVey "The Devil's Notebook" Paperback BOOK
* DuQuette, Lon Milo "MAGICK OF ALEISTER CROWLEY - A Handbook of the Rituals of Thelema" Paperback BOOK
* I. REGARDIE "GOLDEN DAWN (Complete in One Volume)" Paperback BOOK
* Nikolas Schreck "SATANIC SCREEN, THE - An Illustrated Guide To the Devil In Cinema" Paperback Book
* Lady Sheba "The Grimoire Of Lady Sheeba" HARDBACK BOOK
* Pat & Chris Zalewski "Z-5 Secret Teachings of the Golden Dawn" Paperback Book
* Arthur Edward Waite "Book Of Spells (Wordsworth UK import edition!)" Paperback Book
* Cicero, Chic & Sandra Tabatha Cicero "MAGICIAN'S ART - RITUAL USE OF MAGICAL TOOLS" Paperback Book
* Ed Fitch "A GRIMOIRE OF SHADOWS - Witchcraft, Paganism & Magick" Paperback BOOK
* Denning, Melita & Phillips, Osbourne "FOUNDATIONS OF HIGH MAGICK" Hardback BOOK
* Konstantinos "GOTHIC GRIMOIRE * (DISCOUNT SALE!)" Paperback BOOK
* Arthur Edward Waite "The Pictorial Key to the Tarot" Paperback Book

Click here for more BOOK ANNEX items!
For more Book Annex items go to:
http://www.blackmetal.com/bookannex/


++++++++METAL NEWS++++++++

~ WINDIR: Final CD Details Revealed ~
Norwegian black metallers WINDIR will be joined by Vegard Bakken, the older brother of the band's late frontman Terje "Valfar" Bakken, during their final concert on Friday, September 3 at the Rockefeller Arena in Oslo, Norway. "Vegard wants to honour his brother's memory by doing some of the singing this evening," reads a posting on the group's web site. "Cosmocrator will also be joining WINDIR again and [doing] some of the clean vocals." The band will perform the show as a tribute to the singer, who tragically passed away in January.

WINDIR's final CD, a two-disc set entitled "Valfar, ein Windir", is scheduled for release on September 3 through Tabu Recordings. The first CD will include new material, unreleased material, tribute songs from other bands and live tracks, while the second CD will be a compilation of the music made by Valfar. It will include tracks spanning the group's entire careeer - from the first demo, "Sognariket", to the last album, "Likferd". All proceeds from this CD will go directly to Valfar's family.

- - - - -

~ DARKTHRONE's FENRIZ Explains Lack Of American Bands On 'Black Metal' Compilation ~
DARKTHRONE's Fenriz recently spoke to Denmark's Antenna website about his upcoming compilation of "the most influential and most unholy sounding tracks" of the black metal genre, due on September 20 through Peaceville Records. Entitled "Darkthrone's Fenriz Presents… The Best Of Old School Black Metal", the album features classic contributions from the likes of VENOM, BATHORY, SODOM, HELLHAMMER, BURZUM and MAYHEM backed up by sleeve notes from Fenriz providing an insight into each track, its relevance to him and its impact on the scene in general.

"It was my idea," Fenriz said of the collection. "As I am very interested in music generally, I of course find various compilations very helpful. It is a sturdy way to get to know a new musical style, to let a veteran guide you. I have always been making compilations for friends, arranged thrash metal nights etc, but the number one dream was to release a guide like this upon newer generations that are curious about what we black metal maniacs of the nineties listened to for our inspiration. And any others. If I can make one soul get into TORMENTOR after hearing my compilation, my work is already done".

Asked what criteria he used to select the tracks for the compilation, Fenriz responded, "I select from personal taste, experience, respect, diversity, and the fact that the style on this compilation is what you need to embrace to understand black metal. Otherwise, you are baking a cake without flour".

With regards to why American bands, such as SLAYER, have been excluded from the compilation, Fenriz said, "GOATLORD was impossible to track down - a very common problem concerning compilations. You can't always get what you want, as the ROLLING STONES sing. Larry Lalonde is sceptical about spreading the old vibes of POSSESSED to the black metal crowd, so we had to let that one go. SLAYER's first album is definitely an inspiration, but I rather prioritise them for my (eventual) thrash metal compilation. NECROVORE would be difficult to track down. VON should have been included. But as you see, suddenly half the CD would have been American bands. And that was not what we mostly listened to".

- - - - -

~ Former EMPEROR Drummer Faust Talks About Passing Of BATHORY Legend QUORTHON; Upcoming Projects ~
Former EMPEROR drummer Bård "Faust" Eithun has answered a number of fan questions via his official web site. Several excerpts follow:

On the passing of BATHORY frontman Quorthon:

Faust: "Anyone who have had a relationship to extreme music in one form or another will have come across the death of Quorthon, the mastermind of Swedish forefathers BATHORY. After his death, the hailing texts have been many. I will not be one of those who glorifies Quorthon and say how much he has meant to me. I never liked idolizing people. I happened to love the music of BATHORY and the creepy and eerie aura that surrounded the band, but to idolize is not for me. Anyway, there is no doubt that one of the originators of the true black metal movement has died. As a result of this I will appear in an all-star (!) cover band on the Bergen Hole in the Sky festival in August. Featuring people like Samoth, Apollyon, Grutle, Satyr, Abbath, Gaahl, Nocturno Culto and Ivar it is clear that it will be an honourable moment to perform the old BATHORY classic tracks."

On upcoming projects:

Faust: "I am still striving to get myself occupied musicwise. I am tired of people announcing different projects and name dropping the biggest stars just to get a 15 minutes of attention themselves. I don't care about 'stars' as long as I know I cooperate with a bunch of good guys. The era of rock- and metal stars ended with the 80ties."

On the possibility of a reunited EMPEROR with him in it:

Faust: "I don`t think so. Firstly, a reunion in itself is unlikely to happen. Secondly, if a reunion should happen by any chance it would be more right that it would be Trym because he can after all play the entire set of EMPEROR classics. Me, I can just do the tracks I participated on. Sometimes it`s better to let sleeping dogs still sleep. Why concentrate on the past when there is so much happening now?"

On whether he will become a full-time member of any other black metal projects:

Faust: "It's unlikely I will take part in a 100% black metal project, since the music and lifestyle doesn`t excite me as it once did. However, I like dark music with a twisted approach so something in the similar lines would be likely."

- - - - -

~ DIMMU BORGIR Guitarist Rejects 'Sellout' Accusations ~
DIMMU BORGIR guitarist Silenoz recently spoke to The Grand Rapids Press about the group's main-stage slot on this summer's Ozzfest and their status as the most visible representative of the European black metal scene. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

On criticism from their peers that they've sold out:

Silenoz: "It was never the intention or motivation to make money on the music, or we would never have played this style of music. That in itself is a huge achievement. Other people can bitch and moan as much as they want, but we're here, and they're not, so they can all (expletive) off."

On recording "Death Cult Armageddon" (2003) with the Prague Symphony Orchestra, prompting comparisons to movie soundtracks as grandiose as John Williams' "Star Wars":

Silenoz: "We take pride in the traditional black metal attitude and mythology, but we have never been really a straightforward black metal band. Ever since we started, we always felt like underdogs, and that's good motivation to not sound like anyone else.

"We've always felt that, whatever we come up with that sounds cool, we use it and try to incorporate it with the traditional stuff as well.

"As we evolve, everything gets more and more varied -- and that's good, especially for us as musicians, because it's more challenging."

On DIMMU BORGIR's lyrical approach:

Silenoz: "It's cool that people have their own opinion about (the subject matter), and ask questions about it. Especially with the religious aspect of the world -- people just go along with whatever is said and told, and don't ask questions about things. Especially in Scandinavia and Norway, we've had Christianity shoved down our throats for 1,000 years, and, for some of us, that's something we feel is totally wrong."

On being signed to an "indie", the Germany-based metal label Nuclear Blast Records:

"We'd rather be a priority at a smaller, independent, full-on-metal label than at a major label that doesn't have the same (worldwide) distribution. We're really happy with where we are at the moment."
~ DIMMU BORGIR Singer Shagrath Says Jumping Up And Down On Stage Is Not Right Way To Play Metal ~
DIMMU BORGIR frontman Shagrath recently spoke to Jeff Brinn about the group's participation in this year's Ozzfest and the band's general view of their standing in today's music scene. Several excerpts from the interview follow:

Jeff Brinn: With the release of the new Ozzfest edition of "Death Cult Armageddon", you guys have a blistering cover of a BATHORY song. Was Quorthon (the late lead singer of BATHORY) a huge influence on DIMMU BORGIR?

Shagrath: "Not directly influenced, but we are fans of BATHORY, we have always been into BATHORY, at least most of the band. We did a cover song to pay our tribute to BATHORY, of course, but we never directly took inspiration from BATHORY. We have always been a band that, even if we have favorite bands, we don't try to copy our favorite bands. We always go our own direction. So many people make mistakes when they start a band, they try to sound like or try to copy their favorite bands and that is not the right way to go. That's all the reason for our success is basically because we have always been a band that doesn't listen to what people say, we don't give a fuck; we do our own thing. Like it or hate it, either way we don't care."

Jeff Brinn: Do you think your genera of music has gotten as big as it will get in the states or is there a lot of potentional still to be a larger force in metal?

Shagrath: "There's a lot of potentional still. The difference between us and a lot of other black metal bands from Europe is that I don't think so many bands want to come to the States because you have to work so hard. You have to start from scratch playing some of the worst clubs ever, no showers, no food, nothing, driving around in vans. It's very hard for bands to come over. We did it, we worked our way up and that is what you have to do to sell records in the States. I think a lot of bands in Europe are happy where they are, I don't think they concentrate on the American market so much. Our music has potential but black metal is more of a European thing and I don't think it is easy for Americans to understand. It's hard to explain but it is such a big difference from Europe and America in black metal. Black metal is a very serious thing in Europe, in America people are into different styles of music like HATEBREED. Jumping up and down on stage and saying 'Fuck you' is not the right way to go when you play metal in my opinion."

Jeff Brinn: Do you feel that there is some what of a competitive edge between DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH?

Shagrath: "A lot of people say that, and feel that, but it's just not the case. I think the reason that is said is because we are one of the only bands doing what we do on a more professional level; we tour a lot and spend a lot of time working with our music compared to other bands. Sound, concept and lyrical wise we are two different bands, it's like night and day so you can't really compare our music to CRADLE OF FILTH."

- - - - -

~ CRADLE OF FILTH: U.S. Tour Dates Confirmed ~
According to Pollstar.com, CRADLE OF FILTH have lined up the following U.S. dates in October:

Oct. 15 - Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall
Oct. 16 - Montreal, QC @ Le Medley
Oct. 17 - Quebec City, QC @ Capitol Theatre / Cabaret
Oct. 18 - Toronto, ON @ Kool Haus (formerly Warehouse)
Oct. 20 - Minneapolis, MN @ Quest Club
Oct. 22 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave / Eagles Club
Oct. 23 - Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre
Oct. 24 - Saint Louis, MO @ The Pageant
Oct. 26 - East Peoria, IL @ East Peoria Convention Center
Oct. 27 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's
Oct. 29 - Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall
Oct. 30 - Detroit, MI @ State Theatre

CRADLE OF FILTH's new album, "Nymphetamine" (roughly translated as the druggish beast-like addiction to beautiful, classical women) is scheduled for release on September 28 through Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to last year's "Damnation and a Day" was produced by ANTHRAX guitarist Rob Caggiano, who has previously worked with the group during the mixing stage for "Damnation...". Mixing duties were handled by Colin Richardson (FEAR FACTORY, MACHINE HEAD, NAPALM DEATH).


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