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The first entry in this new blog section celebrating the Finnish BM scene is dedicated to one of the finest split releases I have ever heard. In July 2004, Grievantee Productions released this split EP from two of the most established and revered acts on the BM scene in Finland. A split of real contrast, this offering gave two sides of the coin in every aspect. The lo-fi production of Horna with the shrieking vocals of Corvus at the front of the delivery giving marked difference to the scathing yet melodic attack of Behexen. I have read much criticism of Horna's contribution and to some degree I can understand this. The almost soulless performance sounds empty and devoid of depth in some ways. Yet this in so many ways is also why it works so well for me. The performance sounds authentic and atavistic, like the awakening of something believed to be long-dead and forgotten, now brought back to some living/undead state to unleash its ancient threat on an unsuspecting world. Punky stabs underpin the relentless delivery giving space for some respectful foot stomping as well as neck snapping. The grim and dank nature of Horna's four tracks here match perfectly the artwork that adorns (this version) of the release. It feels like Finnish BM, full of such cold hatred and pure, unbridled suffering. Its grimness punctuated by the already mentioned vocal prowess of Corvus. Horna here remind me of the understated riffing of Darkthrone elevated in an absolute maelstrom of pitch black darkness. By way of contrast, Behexen have a cleaner sound from the off. Obviously more melodic yet still racing and aggressive to make them marginally more accessible than Horna. Hoath's vocals are more buried in the mix than Corvus' but the intense gallop and scathing delivery somehow elevates them just enough. There's definitely more of a feeling of there being a "wall" of noise on the Behexen contribution but the tracks themselves have a more discernible series of transitions that fill the soundscape perfectly, permeating the parts Horna's contribution cannot reach. Despite the marked difference in production values, the Behexen tracks compliment the Horna ones perfectly (and vice the versa). The combination of the two styles make the EP a triumph of opposites and I find this EP works really well on shuffle to emphasise this. Of the Behexen tracks, "A Distant Call From Darkness" is my preferred choice with its blend of galloping riffage, scathing vocals and melancholic melody. The guitar sound on this track is fucking pandemic level infectious! I would encourage any BM fan to purchase and embrace this most essential of Finnish BM releases. 5/5

Queensrÿche- Rage for Order.

Fucking classic!!! A major musical kick back in the day. 9/10. Sone years later ... and also somewhat inspired ... "black space metal" from Norway ...

Nemesea have some great stuff, but personally I believe the best stuff came from their earlier album "Mana", which is vastly different from "The Quiet Resistance". The track "Angel In The Dark" especially stands out. This is more symphonic than gothic though. A great gothic band imo is "The Birthday Massacre". Depending on the song they can be more on the rock than metal side though. Been one of my favourite bands the last couple years. A song that regularly switches between heavy guitars and light and sweet sections. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDxYFzxAkWg A song that got glued to the root of my brain instantly. great lyrics, catchy (but meaty) chorus and enthralling keys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWLzh15QmXw I challenge you not to get this song stuck in your head, One of their newer outings. It has the heaviness to satisfy and the dreaminess (with help from great visuals in the video) to make you lose yourself.

Hi everyone! I am a 21 year old student from Norway. Ive been a metal fan since childhood, but never interacted much with the community. Naturally I am here to correct that mistake! On that note, nice to meet you~

Eating isn't just about getting nutrients though. You need to think about the health of your whole body and its relation to diet, which includes thyroid health, hormones, metabolism, liver health, stress etc, regardless of whatever the makeup of your diet is. I'm not advocating a high-meat diet, but I think a good diet should include meat at least once or twice a day. Part of the reason why I think veganism is radical is because it is firstly a diet whose priority isn't health first, and it is typically tied into political movements. I understand the moral issue that vegans have but realize that you are emphasizing this over your own health. I think ethical issues are a factor in every industry (pesticides, contamination etc). The methods of how you consume foods is important. Whether you boil, steam or eat vegetables raw makes a difference health-wise, in terms of digestibility, nutrient availability, as well as exposure to toxic anti-nutrients. But consider researching the health problems commonly associated with foods that vegans typically consume because there are many with respect to lentils and beans, nuts and seeds, grains, veggies, soy etc. But there's pros and cons to every food group. I can't say I've thought the food pyramid or was anything but an obvious attempt to get people to support eating foods from each major industry so I've never taken it seriously. I think it's always best to do your own research before trusting any organization who may simply have an agenda to push. There's propaganda on all sides. Regarding meat and carcinogens, I'm guessing it is the methods used to cure meat, or cook meat which can be an issue especially for those who routinely use the BBQ. You can go vegan if you want, but I recommend you do your own research, and do more than watching a few videos from one side. I'm sure you'll get a temporary benefit in so far as a break from digesting meats and dairy, but you could also get this from occasional fasting and/or not over-eating via huge meals. But if you do go vegan, pay close attention to how your body is reacting otherwise you can ruin your health as so many have.