Nokturnal Mortum- The Voice Of Steel

There's little else i have to say about this album other than "wow." An amazing album from start to finish. Maybe you've listened to Nokturnal Mortum before, maybe you didn't like them, or maybe you just didn't listen to them because of their National Socialist connections. Disregard those things and give this album a shot. Every song just slaps you with its epicness, a word I really hate using, but the sweeping guitars backed by the screaming of violins and flutes and some beautiful vocal really knocks you on your ass, especially when the record does a U-Turn and hits you with some Pink Floyd style blues rifts. This monster from the Nordlands sounds like the beautiful bastard child of Jethro Tull and Bathory.

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Anorexia Nervosa- New Obscurantis Order

Since I have a French midterm tomorrow that I'm currently not studying for, why not post some French music?

Anorexia Nervosa are pretty much symphonic black metal all stars, up there with mighty outfits like Emperor or Limbonic Art. The songs speed along relentlessly, showing off some serious chops, especially on the drums which must be manned by some sort of robot designed to hit drums incredibly fast. While they may look like the kids you make fun of at Hot Topic and sound more polished than your typical recorded in the woods black metal, make no mistakes, this is a vicious album. Also there's a bad ass Candlemass cover on there. Fuck yeah Candlemass.

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Root- The Temple In The Underworld

Here's a real gem. Root were a czech black metal band and contemporaries of Master's Hammer. Similar to Master's Hammer, Root takes a left of center approach to the standard set by Bathory. I've been busy all day so I don't really feel like typing up an elaborate description, but this album deserves to be held up alongside such greats as Hammerheart or Ritual. Also, lead singer and band founder Jiri "Big Boss" Valter is a high priest in the church of satan. How metal is that?

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Windir- Arntor

One time I went walking around in the woods behind my grandma's house while listening to this album on my mp3 player. I found this little dried up pond with an old moldy dock stretching out into it. At this time, the beauty of this album really hit me. Contained were not just words and melodies, but landscapes morphed into songs and sounds. I don't think I've ever been more in tune with nature than at that moment. Shit was so grim and frostbitten.
Windir is a black metal band who sometimes get called Viking Metal or Folk Metal. Arntor is my personal favorite album mostly because it is heavy on the synths, accordions, and whatever instrument Valfar could cram in there creating an interesting collection of sounds that form a piece both aggressive and atmospheric.

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