Í Myrkri  are  a  band  from  Denmark  that  plays  a  very  cold,  harsh  and  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  album  "Bag  Skyggernes  Slør"  which  will  be  released  in  November  by  Wolfspell  Records.

  Sounds  of  winds  and  synths  start  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding  while  dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing.

  Vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  along  with  the  music  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  both  old  school  and  modern  influences  as  well  as  one  of  the  tracks  also  being  an  instrumental,  when  guitar  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  dark  yet  melodic  style.

  Í  Myrkri   plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  raw  and  aggressive  sounding  as  well  as  mixing  the  90's  style  synth  with  a  more  modern  day  aggression.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Danish  and  cover  the  depths  of  the  unknown,  the  unfathomable  and  the  uncertain.

  In  my  opinion   Í Myrkri   are  a  very  great  sounding  cold,  harsh  and  atmospheric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Solens  Stund  Svinder"  and  "Hinsides  Skyggehavet".  8  out  of  10.

  Greece's  Katachthon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  for  more  of  an  old  school  mixture  of  war,  black.  death  and  thrash  metal and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  released  2021  single  "Destroyer/Overlord".

  A  very  powerful  bass  guitar  sound  starts  off  the  single  before  adding  in  some  heavier  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  angry  sounding  shouts  that  also  adds  in  more  of  a  first  wave  vibe.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  along  with  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  and  war  metal  elements.

  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in t he  80'a  and  early  90's  era  while  also  showing  an  influence  of thrash  metal.  Growls  can  also  be  heard  at  times  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  as  well  as  the  solos  and  leads  also  remaining  true  to  an  old  school  style.

  On  this  recording  Katachthon  takes  the  first  and  second  wave  era's  of  black  metal  and  mixes  it  in  with  influences  of  war,  death  and  thrash  metal  to  create  something  very  different  from  their  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  War,  Hellenic  Mythology  and  History  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Katachthon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  war,  black,  death  and  thrash  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  single.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Overlord".  8  out  of  10.

https://katachthon.bandcamp.com/releases

    Fjøsnisse  are  a  solo  project  from  Norway  that  plays  a  folkloric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2021  album  "Vord"  which  was  released  by  Screaming  Skull  Records.

  A  very  fast  and  raw  sound  starts  off  the  album  along  with  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  as  well  as  the  music  also  being  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  era.

  Throughout  the  recording  you  can  also  hear  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  while  the  solos  and  leads  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  style.  When  clean  playing  is  utilized  it  also  brings  elements  of  folk  music  onto  the  recording  along  with  the  riffs  also  mixing  in  influences  of  thrash  and  traditional  metal  at  times.

  When  guitar  solos  and  leads  are  utilized  they  are  also  done  in  a  very  melodic  yet  old  school  style  along  with  all  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  having  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  as  well  as  some  synths  and  spoken  word  parts  also  being  added  on  the  closing  track.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  old  school  while  the  lyrics  cover  sagas  and  folk  tales.  

  In  my  opinion  Fjøsnisse  are  a  very  great  sounding  folkloric  black  metal  solo  project  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Tusser  Og  Troll"  "Fjelleventeyr"  and  "Gjenferd".  8  out  of  10.

1.Can you give us an update on what is going on with the band these days?

1- We returned to rehearsals in October, the band was stopped due to the pandemic.  We are slowly returning to normal.

2.Your most recent full length was released in 2018, musically how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?

 2- Yes, it was released in December 2018, we tried to make it as similar as possible to the band's first albums, it was heavier, a little more analog and with more technique.

3.Most of your albums are released 3 to 4 years after the previous one before, can you tell us a little bit more abotu the long wait in between releases?

 3- this method has been used because the guitarist who composes it likes to work calmly so that the songs never sound too much the same as the previous ones.  And we don't have label pressure either.

4.Most of your lyrics cover Satanism, Paganism and Occult themes, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in the dark arts and also how has your interest evolved over the years with the left hand path?

 4- I've always liked and was interested in the occult, black magic and also polytheism, worshiping the gods and not just a god.  I believe and also write about life after death, spirits.  But the biggest inspiration comes from the archangel Lucifer and his legions

5.You also show a lot of hatred for the Christian religion lyrically, can you tell us a little bit more about your hatred for this religion?

 5- Christians have always wanted and still want to impose themselves.  They destroy cultures, destroy polytheism, turn gods into terrifying demons, Christians are the greatest plague in the world.

6.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Amen Corner'?

6- For us Amen Corner means the Catholic confessional, that place where idiots confess their sins to a mere mortal.

7.In November Nomad Snakepit Productions are re-issuing your 1995 album, can you tell us a little bit more about the newer version?

 7- Here in Brazil it's a very revered album and considered a classic, finally it will be released in Vinyl version by Nomad Snakepit, and now our intention is to take our music to a more global scope.

8.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the re-issue cover?

 8- Fallen Angel from heaven to earth to reign here.  On the cover are twin brothers Ahura Mazda and Ahriman representing the fallen angel.

9.The band has been around since 1992, what is it that motivates you to keep going after almost 30 years?

 9- Black Metal is in our blood and in our souls, it motivates us.  I can't imagine myself without the Amen Corner.

10.The band was also around in the beginning era of the second wave, do you feel that you have been a huge influence on some of the bands that have came out in the last couple of decades? 

 10- Of course, absolutely, especially here in South America. Many bands were influenced by Amen Corner.

11.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?

 11- There were many shows and festivals, all are and were very important to us.  Our stage performance is a lot of energy and a lot of blasphemy and Black Metal.

12.When can we expect newer music and also where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

12- we've already started composing new songs.  In 2022 we will be releasing our new album celebrating 30 years of pure Black Metal.

13.What are you listening to nowadays?

 13- I like to listen to Celtic Frost, Venom, Hellhammer, Samael (old), Autopsy, Obituary, Decide, Bolt thrower, Varathron, Bathory, Marduk, Enthroned, Sodom, Rotting Christ, Beherit, Masters Hammer, Ancient Rites, King Diamond, but I also like old Heavy Metal mainly from the 80s.

14.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

 14- Amen Corner thanks you very much for the interview and support of Occult Black Metal Zine and the Nomad Snakepit Pit.  I hope our music reaches the dark souls of Europeans.  Hail Satan Ave Lucifer.

  Demonic  Temple  are  a  duo  from  Poland  that  plays  an  old  school  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of t heir  2021  album  "Through  Stars  Into  The  Abyss"  which  will b e  released  in  November  as  a  joint  effort  between  Putrid  Cult  and  Dark  Horizon.  

  A  very  dark  sounding  intro  starts  off  the  album  while  also  introducing  melodic  guitar  solos  and  leads  onto  the  album. Dark  sounding  melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  and  when  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  be  heard.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  utilized  it  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  grim  sounding  black  metal  screams.  Most  of  the  music  is  also  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  90's  second  wave  tradition  along  with  some  angry  shouts  also  being  utilized  at  times  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  

  Synths  also  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  as  well  as  giving  the  songs  more  of  an  occult  atmosphere  and  as  the  album  progresses  a  brief  use  of  ritualistic  chants  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  cover  Occultism,  Death  and  Darkness  themes.    

  In  my  opinion  Demonic  Temple  are  a  very  great  sounding  old  school  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a f an  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Through  The  Stars  Into  The  Abyss"  and  "Proclaiming  The  Truth  Of  The  Other  Side".  8  out  of  10.

www.facebook.com/Demonic-Temple/100029411273716

https://youtu.be/auW-BlY9ltE