Definitely not inexperienced as far as Black Metal is concerned, Polish Besatt, who have been brought to life in 1991, bring forth their fourth album, titled Sacrifice for Satan. Treading the old Bathory path, with a couple of influences from early German Thrash Metal, and capitalising from a strong (not at all unheard of) antichristian feature, Fulmineus, Beldaroth and Agonus unload all their hatred in eight hymns to Darkness, punctuated by the common places of the genre.

Sacrifice for Satan begins with a Latin invocation (Gloria Causa Satani) and the full black and white layout adds to the atmosphere, bearing in mind the fact that the pictures include corpsepaint. Recorded at Cyber Studios, Poland, during January 2004, the result is an amalgamate of obscure melodies with hypnotizing rhythms, not necessarily raw and with the addition of a significant amount of atmospheric passages. All things considered, even though Besatt do not score on the originality or innovation department, they sum up rather nicely the trademark features of obscurer Black Metal.

The promo package includes a multimedia section where, amongst others, we are given the opportunity to watch a videoclip to the song Kingdom of Hatred, illustrating Death and Hatred towards Christian ideology and belief by means of the widely used concept of Christ carrying the cross. This Christ figure is, however, quite peculiar, for he does have a beer belly. And so is the image of Death, the Grim Reaper, with a nice goatee. Oh the sweet scent of modernity…

Official Site Besatt

Besatt – Time For Gathering

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ACHERON is one of the oldest Satanic Death Metal bands in existence. Reverend Vincent Crowley is the frontman – and responsible for the uttering of many blasphemies throughout the ages and the band’s 15 years of existence. The aforementioned is also a member of the misanthropic band WOLFEN SOCIETY.

Decade Infernus is a best of double CD-set comprising the band’s first ten years, which started in 1988. Back then, Mr Crowley joined forces with Peter Gilmore, a classical composer and Magister of the Church of Satan. In the early years Anton Szandor Lavey invited Vincent Crowley to join the COS, which he did, regardless of the apparent contradiction between surname and religious/ ritualistic organization.

Decade Infernus features the band’s strongest songs – taken from a vast discography. Some of these are classics, others are perhaps not very representative of ACHERON’s real power. On the whole, the double CD set is perhaps better listened to separately, for the mighty anthems of doom may sound a little too monotonic at the 10th track or so. But other than that, this is a pretty good compilation of the band’s work – ideal for those that do not own the albums and might want to get to know the band. The songs are mostly mid-.tempo, there is some variation (some keyboards too). The best of is a good choice for newcomers, and a sound purchase for those who want to understand the cult, but I would not necessarily hold this as a compulsory album.

Sites Acheron666.com | Black-lotus-recs.com

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Acheron should be a reference band as regards music and ideology to a number of (satanic) Death and Black Metal bands out there. I have not exactly been a regular follower of the band, but I do recognise the importance (or lack thereof) of Rebirth: Metamorphosing into Godhood.

I was expecting something good – with the experience Mr Vincent Crowley, Michael Estes and Kyle Severn [also known as The Unholy Trinity] have been gathering through the years (since 1988), both on an ideological and musical level.

The first track is okay – inverted readings set the mood for the ritual that is to follow. And the album does have some sort of energy and high moments, often going mystical and other times, plain evil. Xomaly and The Kindred are obviously wreaking havoc from the first second – and some other songs have the occasional highlight that make the album worth the listen. Proof that the Acheron sound has not only matured with time, but also found a way to express its own identity.

The production is not bad – in fact, it is heavy and gives the album a powerful edge. But… it could have been better. Sometimes – quite often, in fact – the album tends to become monotonous, because there is a sound of ‘sameness’ in the songs that does not allow the listener to fully appreciate the offering. The album is listenable – I have heard far worse, but… with a teaser like Xomaly, I was expecting a bit more. The 9th Gate was also disposable, but Acheron should know what they are doing.

All in all, Acheron should not disappoint the diehard fans with this album, but I really think they have written more enticing music in the past. The fact remains that the Satanic word is spread through and through.

Official Site www.acheron666.com

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Opening track “Goatcraft Torment” starts up with “This is Satanic Black Metal”, so i guess they play…Satanic Black Metal? good to know, i won’t have to spend a couple of minutes figuring out what the heck are they playing, not that i have anything against black metal or now that i think of it Satan, i just think that’s silly to coin yourself from the get go, does it mean that all the tracks will be about Satan? like “ahh Satan took a shower GRRR and ate some infidels christians for breakfast YARRR” wait, now that i think of it…. that would be cool, well let’s head back to Urgehal’s “Goatcraft Torment”.

“Goatcraft Torment” starts with that amusing “This is Satanic Black Metal”, i don’t know if that was the objective, but i find it amusing, tha and lyrics like like “die for satan”, maybe it’s me but who said that Satan cares, maybe if Urgehal says so, it must be true, hehehe, ok, ok i’ll stop with the funny business, music wise this is some well crafted black metal, i like the production, it’s clean and to the point, “Risus Sardonius” is again a solid track, with loads of blasting, “Antireligiøs” is again blasting black metal, great guitar work, and it seems they don’t just love Satan, they hate everyone else’s “religion”, “Dødsmarsj Til Helvete” is a bit more straight black metal track, slower pace but nice nevertheless.

“Satanic Black Metal In Hell” bring the blasting back with vengeance, it’s straight to fucking hell, i liked this one, “Nefastus Nex Necis” is actually the first classic black metal in the album, with all those nice touches, you know that eerie feel through, slightly melodic, short pattern blast, talking speed harsh vocals, with a touch of guitar solo, again a great track, “Gathered Under The Horns” is a another evil black metal track, with nice little touches that keep it fresh and moving, “Selvmordssalme” seems like the continuation of the later track, “Sentiment Of Chaos” brings the blasting and a bit heavier attitude, the last track “Et Steg Nærmere Lucifer” closes shop, it’s slow and methodic, i wouldn’t expect it any other way.

This is one kick ass album, loads of pace throughout, i know Urgehal have been around for ages, and the fact that they stick to their guns and drop quality material is always a good thing, they really loving Satan (and all that sodomy, children bashing, torture, general violence, you know all that great “evil” stuff Satan apparently endorses) doesn’t seem to influence too much on the quality of the music, and that’s for me the most important aspect, because this is solid black metal album, hell even though I’m not that much into black metal this one had me headbanging a couple of times.

Urgehal – Satanic Black Metal In Hell

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