Beyond life is the fourth release and first EP by the Danish black metal band. It features three tracks that would later make their appearance in different versions on various other releases and one that had already appeared in a different version. The three tracks of which are based on the death of lead vocalist Hugin’s lover Linaria Amlech and this can be felt in the tracks.
The first track Langt Vaek Fra Livet is a slow dirge style song with fuzzed guitars, melodic composed parts, and slow mournful drums. Above this are vocalist Hugin’s mid level screeching accented by the clean female vocals of fellow band member Isaz. All of these elements combine together to deliver an excellent song that is at the same time beautiful and moving while dark and depressive.
The second track Death of Linaria is a haunting spoken word ambient track consisting of fuzz, repetitive keys, and Hugin’s near silent whispers. If this sounds boring then you should give it a listen. Listen to the lyrics and think upon what this track is about and you have before you a truly mesmerizing and powerful piece of “music”.
The third and final track Beyond Life is the most “black metal” of the three filled with more fuzzed guitars melodic leads, and Hugin’s screetches. The drums are incredibly buried making them nearly inaudible but at a point where they really add more to the song this way. The song slowly builds and goes ever higher and higher following the guitars and Hugin’s increasingly powerful vocals as he tells his dreamlike tale and by the end reaches what I would describe as a minimalist epic.
All in all this is a solid release and contains three of the bands best tracks in my opinion and tells the first part in the continuing tale of Linaria.
Link: www.blodarv.org
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Stock Feeder- EP 2008
I received very unassuming CD-r in a pack of stuff a friend of mine sent me, there was nothing really interesting about it just a blank white CD-r and a cover ok big deal so I laid it down on the desk and left it alone for about two days. After remembering I had it I decided to plug it in and give it a listen and I must say I was actually pretty impressed.
This is the first recorded material by these grindcore/noise warriors. Now what makes this different than any other tracks of drum machine filled, crazy electronic noise you may ask? My answer is all in the riffs and the timing. While I’m not a fan of drum machines these guys know how to program one well where it accents and backs the music and doesn’t detract and kill it on top of that despite the short song times the riffing is very good and even really memorable a definite plus for any form of grind.
Spaced throughout are several tracks of well done violent noise/power electronics, talking tracks, and little bits of ambience all of this is short though to avoid annoyance by non noise fans and you can actually listen to it more than one time in a row. Not to say there are no problems with this EP though. The vocals are ok but in some points are just a little boring to me and for some reason the track Primordial Dwarfism is just really really hard to make it through.
All in all though I was really impressed by the band and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
This is the first recorded material by these grindcore/noise warriors. Now what makes this different than any other tracks of drum machine filled, crazy electronic noise you may ask? My answer is all in the riffs and the timing. While I’m not a fan of drum machines these guys know how to program one well where it accents and backs the music and doesn’t detract and kill it on top of that despite the short song times the riffing is very good and even really memorable a definite plus for any form of grind.
Spaced throughout are several tracks of well done violent noise/power electronics, talking tracks, and little bits of ambience all of this is short though to avoid annoyance by non noise fans and you can actually listen to it more than one time in a row. Not to say there are no problems with this EP though. The vocals are ok but in some points are just a little boring to me and for some reason the track Primordial Dwarfism is just really really hard to make it through.
All in all though I was really impressed by the band and I’m looking forward to what comes next.
Liver and Bacon Recipe.
First of all I must add here that if you are a vegetarian or a vegan of any description then this recipe (as indicated in the title of the article) will not impress you, but if you happen to be carnivorous, then the recipe is a very good thing to try out.
Use two onions, dice them, and put them in the pan with some butter.
Wait for the onions to get a little brown, then add some mushrooms (i often use closed cup mushrooms), tomatoes, and plenty of spinach.
Anything between 200-400g of lambs liver.
Anything between 150-300g of streaked bacon.
Make sure you cut them into small pieces, as they digest much more better.
It is then just a matter of how skillful you are as a kitchen hand, give it some stir.
Once everything appears to have been cooked well, turn off the gas, and apply evenly around the pan nothing exceeding 100ml of double cream. The great thing about this recipe is that a lot of people who more often than not, happen to find liver 'repulsive' happen to find this rather delightful.
Use two onions, dice them, and put them in the pan with some butter.
Wait for the onions to get a little brown, then add some mushrooms (i often use closed cup mushrooms), tomatoes, and plenty of spinach.
Anything between 200-400g of lambs liver.
Anything between 150-300g of streaked bacon.
Make sure you cut them into small pieces, as they digest much more better.
It is then just a matter of how skillful you are as a kitchen hand, give it some stir.
Once everything appears to have been cooked well, turn off the gas, and apply evenly around the pan nothing exceeding 100ml of double cream. The great thing about this recipe is that a lot of people who more often than not, happen to find liver 'repulsive' happen to find this rather delightful.
Monday, February 16, 2009
PROFANATICA- Profanatitas De Domonatia
Written by JPSPearson on October 3rd, 2008
PROFANATICA- Profanatitas De Domonatia
After seventeen or so years having lapsed since their conception, it is of course interesting how an artist’s work bears its ground, especially after a prolonged period that has seen a rather spontaneous, yet scarce amount of output.
This review is not however to establish whether or not the artists can ‘stand the test of time’ or still ‘have it in them’, but to see that their work can still retain artistic validity.
The answer to this is a triumphant yes, both on a general artistic level and in the opinion of the reviewer.
Profanatica more or less retain their original approach to song writing, which is more or less a hybrid of traditional, hardcore influenced black metal such as Hellhammer and Sarcofago, with the sounds of the mid-to-late 80’s American death metal underground, and the dark sounds of Incantation, though somewhat less rhythmically juxtaposed.
However, there are small changes recognisable. One of these is the absence of any guitar solos. The production work is very precise, with a foreboding, thick, ultra-bassy guitar tone, with Paul Ledney’s drums still being versatile, but sounding rather mechanical and compressed, not doing his talents too much justice. This by no means compromises Profanatica’s sound however, but rather helps give it a new dimension, and seeing as this is their first full-length, this only serves to add a cohesion that had previously yet to present itself in any of their earlier works. One might also sense an aesthetical influence similar to the album ‘Joined In Darkness’ by Demoncy.
Ledney’s vocals are still the same, hellish rasp that permeated the band’s earliest recordings (for those unaware, almost sounding comparable to that of Krieg vocalist Imperial). Lyrical topics still focus on sodomy, blasphemy, and the defilement of anything that may be deemed ‘Christian’, a fine alternative to the ‘maturity’ embraced by many long-standing artists who often fail in their efforts to make their output more ‘sensible’.
This is a formidable album in that is very hard-hitting, even at times infectious, upon first listen. It retains all of the virtues that made them a great band in the first place, yet is unafraid to introduce new aesthetics without polluting said qualities.
PROFANATICA- Profanatitas De Domonatia
After seventeen or so years having lapsed since their conception, it is of course interesting how an artist’s work bears its ground, especially after a prolonged period that has seen a rather spontaneous, yet scarce amount of output.
This review is not however to establish whether or not the artists can ‘stand the test of time’ or still ‘have it in them’, but to see that their work can still retain artistic validity.
The answer to this is a triumphant yes, both on a general artistic level and in the opinion of the reviewer.
Profanatica more or less retain their original approach to song writing, which is more or less a hybrid of traditional, hardcore influenced black metal such as Hellhammer and Sarcofago, with the sounds of the mid-to-late 80’s American death metal underground, and the dark sounds of Incantation, though somewhat less rhythmically juxtaposed.
However, there are small changes recognisable. One of these is the absence of any guitar solos. The production work is very precise, with a foreboding, thick, ultra-bassy guitar tone, with Paul Ledney’s drums still being versatile, but sounding rather mechanical and compressed, not doing his talents too much justice. This by no means compromises Profanatica’s sound however, but rather helps give it a new dimension, and seeing as this is their first full-length, this only serves to add a cohesion that had previously yet to present itself in any of their earlier works. One might also sense an aesthetical influence similar to the album ‘Joined In Darkness’ by Demoncy.
Ledney’s vocals are still the same, hellish rasp that permeated the band’s earliest recordings (for those unaware, almost sounding comparable to that of Krieg vocalist Imperial). Lyrical topics still focus on sodomy, blasphemy, and the defilement of anything that may be deemed ‘Christian’, a fine alternative to the ‘maturity’ embraced by many long-standing artists who often fail in their efforts to make their output more ‘sensible’.
This is a formidable album in that is very hard-hitting, even at times infectious, upon first listen. It retains all of the virtues that made them a great band in the first place, yet is unafraid to introduce new aesthetics without polluting said qualities.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Muscle Man
This strangely-titled kettle from Germany is obviously targeted toward the jock population...
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Super Duper Announcement!
Due to our overwhelming fan response, theABMkitchen is currently in the process of revamping into an actual zine, rather than a mere blog. There will be recipes, household tips, concert reports, reviews and more! Submissions are wholeheartedly welcomed.
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Ruins of Beverast - Unlock The Shrine
The Ruins of Beverast are one of those sludgy, eerie-sounding bands occupying the no man's land between the worlds of BM and doom. So, of course, they're on Blake Judd's Battle Command label. The solo project of Nagelfar's (no, not the Swedish band you know and love) drummer, Alex von Meilenwald, Beverast definitely bring a unique sound to the underground metal table - not your customary epic, ethereal medieval atmospheric stuff in the vein of Alcest or Summoning, but a lo-fi, grinding blend of horror movie soundtrack and raw metal, flavored with apocalyptic lyrics.By apocalyptic, I mean existential, post-Christian angst:
My saviour, my mere witness indeed
I perceive your presence
Yet, you cannot approach ...
This hell is mine, I shall die between bronze walls.
Although their name is a reference to Norse mythology (say Bifrost really slowly), the Ruins' music does not contain Germanic romanticism or fist-pounding anthems. Their 16-minute 'epic' pieces are more likely to concern the Roman Empire, Jesus being nailed to the cross, and depression than anything else. That's a good reason to pick up Unlock The Shrine.
Sort of
I'm not a vegetarian, but for some reason whenever I eat brown rice, I feel like I sort of am. Maybe it's the grainy taste that comes with eating this dark delicacy, but I feel at one with nature. Maybe I just feel good because I spent two dollars for about half a pound of rice. It's your call
Monday, February 2, 2009
Magic Wand blessing - and yet another lasagna recipe
Candlemas, pass in radiant glory. New life rises
tentative within/below, a vagueness of verdure gasps
grasping/surfacing - Berkana's herald - not yet - just, oh
trauma contra Thanatos, rising from / breaking still ground
breaks Urgrund, breaks Water-Mother, Veiled One, revel in pain.
In this darkest hour.
On this brightest day.
Wherein baleful runes are carved, yet Diana holds sway. Maidens, we dance for Thanatos!
'Twas 'neath dappled glades I found you, in the effulgence of May
In strife you were shaped, like Spring-throes. Cutting away the skin for a better cause.
'Tween lightning and a winding road I carried you away
Scribing the name, the virtue of carved runes. Blade within my bent hand. Aluganðr, ye magic wand. Spring forth, active principle, stake my claim to the realms of air and flame!
Thus ends the blessing of this hallowed creature of sassafras!
Lasagna Recipe
I added some things to 'melt in' during re-heating, since I am done with it for the day, so I may post pictures tomorrow.
32 oz. can of tomato puree
16 oz. package of mozzarella
Sundry spices (chopped garlic, oregano, basil, cumin seed, pinch of thyme, marjoram and the like)
Soy crumbles, as much as you like (or an equal amount of lentils mixed with quinoa), stirred into the tomato puree
1 Egg or Flax Seed (2 tbsp in 1/4 cup water substitutes for each egg), mixed in with the cheese
24 oz. of ricotta (or 20 oz. of silken tofu and 4 oz. nutritional yeast)
Salt and pepper to taste
Bell peppers, onions, various other vegetables such as eggplant
Lasagna noodles (a box usually has 12)
1. Cook some vegetables, seasonings and crumbles with the tomato puree. That way, you get something resembling pasta sauce without the bother.
2. Cook the noodles as directed, then stack the items thus:
α. crumbles / puree mixture
ϐ. lasagna noodles
γ. cheese mixture
δ . mozzarella, and vegetable mixture (if needed).
Perform 2-3 iterations, or as much as is needed to use up all the noodles. Cover the last layer with 1. sauce and 2. mozzarella. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. You're done. Get fat.
tentative within/below, a vagueness of verdure gasps
grasping/surfacing - Berkana's herald - not yet - just, oh
trauma contra Thanatos, rising from / breaking still ground
breaks Urgrund, breaks Water-Mother, Veiled One, revel in pain.
In this darkest hour.
On this brightest day.
Wherein baleful runes are carved, yet Diana holds sway. Maidens, we dance for Thanatos!
'Twas 'neath dappled glades I found you, in the effulgence of May
In strife you were shaped, like Spring-throes. Cutting away the skin for a better cause.
'Tween lightning and a winding road I carried you away
Scribing the name, the virtue of carved runes. Blade within my bent hand. Aluganðr, ye magic wand. Spring forth, active principle, stake my claim to the realms of air and flame!
Thus ends the blessing of this hallowed creature of sassafras!
Lasagna Recipe
I added some things to 'melt in' during re-heating, since I am done with it for the day, so I may post pictures tomorrow.
32 oz. can of tomato puree
16 oz. package of mozzarella
Sundry spices (chopped garlic, oregano, basil, cumin seed, pinch of thyme, marjoram and the like)
Soy crumbles, as much as you like (or an equal amount of lentils mixed with quinoa), stirred into the tomato puree
1 Egg or Flax Seed (2 tbsp in 1/4 cup water substitutes for each egg), mixed in with the cheese
24 oz. of ricotta (or 20 oz. of silken tofu and 4 oz. nutritional yeast)
Salt and pepper to taste
Bell peppers, onions, various other vegetables such as eggplant
Lasagna noodles (a box usually has 12)
1. Cook some vegetables, seasonings and crumbles with the tomato puree. That way, you get something resembling pasta sauce without the bother.
2. Cook the noodles as directed, then stack the items thus:
α. crumbles / puree mixture
ϐ. lasagna noodles
γ. cheese mixture
δ . mozzarella, and vegetable mixture (if needed).
Perform 2-3 iterations, or as much as is needed to use up all the noodles. Cover the last layer with 1. sauce and 2. mozzarella. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. You're done. Get fat.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Delicious Soup Is Delicious
Soup to Eat on Northern Black Metal Winter Nights
Chickpeas, cooked
8 oz. canned tomatoes
6-7 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp dill
1 tsp tarragon
Some bay leaves
2 bunches of mustard greens
Mini shell pasta
Water or stock
If using water: 2 tbsp nutritional yeast and 2 tbsp light soy sauce
You know the procedure if you've read this blog.
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