Requiem

@Benjaminc81 Well, I didn't visit Euronymous's grave or the site of the Helvete store or anything like that either. It wasn't about that for me, and it actually never occurred to me at the time, although I probably would go to those places if I ever went to Norway again. At the time it was more for me the experience of being inspired by the landscapes which had also inspired so many of my favourite musicians. And a lot of viking sites and museums as I'm a lifelong history fan. Unlike you I haven't had the luxury of visiting Norway since childhood, as Norway is pretty much at the opposite end of the Earth from Australia. Perhaps that was why the experience of visiting was so profound for me, even without stalking musicians, which I would never do. Having said that, I'd certainly be interested in reading about people's experiences who did visit some of those specific sites. For instance, I've hung out plenty of times at the Rainbow Bar and Grill in Hollywood, and it's 100% due to 80s hair metal scene hahaha. I'm not above a bit of sightseeing. I can't imagine it's overly stimulating looking at the closed shop-front or a small grave marker though. I've been to Jim Morrison's grave etc in Paris and it was pretty underwhelming, although Oscar Wilde's grave was great. When I started this thread I was actually interested in any interesting experiences, like backstage stories and things like that. I remember a forum user posting about how he went drinking with Mayhem and Blasphemer got in a fight etc. which was interesting and funny. I thought it could be cool to have a thread about any scene-based experiences members have had. Let's see if there are any takers. I've got at least one more story saved up in case no one else posts and I've overestimated forum interest in this idea.

For me, black metal is so much more than just a music genre. It's many things, but it's also a very interesting potential for narrative. I've heard some awesome stories over the years of people meeting bands in interesting contexts, gig stories etc. I just posted the following in a different thread but thought it might be a good way to kickstart a conversation about the times you saw a great gig, event, experience. Back in 2008 I walked the streets of Bergen, Norway, blasting Taake and Burzum. This album takes me back there (Taake - 'Bjoergvin'). Actually, it's such a small town that I struggled to find an open pub or alcohol store when I arrived in the evening. I ended up buying a six-pack across the bar in the hotel I was staying in. I got nicely wasted when I combined that with a few pints, but for a while there it looked a bit grim. I had a buddy living in Oslo, so I left the wife and flew from London to stay with him for a long weekend, and while I was in Norway I did a sort of tour across to the west coast and Bergen. I went by train and bus through the amazing mountains and forests, and boat in the fjords, all with Satyricon, Emperor and Taake in my headphones. I remember standing on the deck of the boat, staring up at the huge mountains on the side of the Sognefjord, listening to Windir and just having the most spiritual experience. #truenorwegianblackmetalstories

Taake - 'Over Bjoergvin Graater Himmerik' Back in 2008 I walked the streets of Bergen, Norway, blasting Taake and Burzum. This album takes me back there. Actually, it's such a small town that I struggled to find an open pub or alcohol store when I arrived in the evening. I ended up buying a six-pack across the bar in the hotel I was staying in. I got nicely wasted when I combined that with a few pints, but for a while there it looked a bit grim. I had a buddy living in Oslo, so I left the wife and flew from London to stay with him for a long weekend, and while I was in Norway I did a sort of tour across to the west coast and Bergen. I went by train and bus through the amazing mountains and forests, and boat in the fjords, all with Satyricon, Emperor and Taake in my headphones. I remember standing on the deck of the boat, staring up at the huge mountains on the side of the Sognafjord, listening to Windir and just having the most spiritual experience. #truenorwegianblackmetalstories

I would have to say that 'Daemon' would be the album I'm most anticipating from all of Mayhem's output. It could go either way. I have a feeling that it's going to be a lot closer to 'Esoteric Warfare' than they're making out. At least the album cover is much better than 'Esoteric Warfare', which really didn't come out well at all despite being from flavour of the month Zbigniew Bielak, who has now done covers for Paradise Lost, Dimmu Borgir, Watain, Vltimas, Mayhem, which means basically every second album I buy has a bloody Bielak quirky thin lines drawing on the cover. Da fuck. Actually, @True Belief isn't a huge fan of the 'Daemon' artwork, but I'll excuse his oversight. So it will be interesting to see what old Teloch can do. I really hope there's some atmosphere on the album. What's with all this modern black metal without any atmosphere these days? I'd rather listen to Mgla a thousand times in a row than 'Esoteric Warfare'. Oh yeah, I was also a bit deflated when I heard the album title: 'Daemon'. I guess it's cool, having lived with it for a few days, but at first glance I thought it seemed a bit generic. It's hard to imagine Euronymous coming up with it... So yeah, bring it on! Can't wait to hear 'Daemon'. And Hail 'Deathcrush'. 32 years young! What a beautiful piece of work. I would love for the band to bring Blasphemer back and get him to do a 'Deathcrush 2'. Just throw all that technical shit to the wind and go crazy. Fuck click tracks and triggers. Hail Satan.

I bought this because of the cool box it comes with. Like a lot of experimental black metal it leaves me a bit bewildered: NP: Anathema - 'We're Here Because We're Here' The last of the truly great Anathema albums. I sort of wish it was their swansong, because for me they've gone right off the rails. The first 5 tracks on 'We're Here' are so beautiful and emotional when I'm in the mood.

Jeez, you just got a job and now you’re complaining. Knuckle down and get it done. Show them what you’re made of. Stand up and be a man. You’re not a victim of employment, you’re a winner. Show them why the best thing they did all year was hire you. Don’t back down into fear and doubt. Fight! On my mind right now is the Ashes. I hope England can claw this back but they’re up against the greatest batsman in world. Hail the great Steve Smith. Back from disgrace and ruling the world.

Thy Light - ‘Suici.De.Pression’ Amazing slow Burzum style DSBM with incredible vocals. Kiss your life goodbye and embrace its end.

Haha and I did ‘like’ it just before seeing your post. Great album. So many quality songs co-written by 80s hit maker Desmond Child, and of course ‘Poison’ is one of the all time best hair metal songs. Also @True Belief check your messages,

Adolf for sure. Don’t know much about Pol Pot’s life though. I’d like to know more... for about ten minutes. Would you rather be an airline pilot or a cruise ship captain?

You made this track with a studio drummer? A studio drummer? This seems like fun to make, but it's not brilliant. or enjoyable in any way. The video is distracting and foolish. I can't tell if you're a comedy band or a gore band. It's either unfunny comedy or youtube level gore. I just don't understand what you're going for. Pass.

Three Mighty Albums of the Week 1. Turilli/Leone Rhapsody - 'Zero Gravity' The latest release from Luca Turilli's version of Rhapsody (which is so easily the best version, my god), with original Rhapsody vocalist(!) have produced a beautiful follow-up to 'Prometheus'. Part classical, part power metal, part electronic, part sound effects, these songs are anthems to science and God in equal measure. Just glorious and amazing, uplifting music. Three tracks in Italian. That's classy. 2. Fleshgod Apocalypse - 'Veleno' The second Italian band in my current three - that's interesting. Maybe I'll grab some pasta, pizza and a fucking vino rosso. Get around me. Anyway, this album is the symphonic philosophic album of the year. Darker than TL Rhapsody, more punches in the gut. More classical beauty. 3. Mgla - 'Exercises in Futility' Eternally darkly melodic exclusively.

I've seen some quality drummers over the years, and I reckon this guy is as good as anyone, local or international. The band itself is a little limited as its a three piece, and I really think they could do with a second guitar to play a few harmonies etc, although the guitarist/vocalist is great on his own. It's just that three piece bands have certain limitations that in black metal aren't always to the band's benefit. While I'm on a roll here, they could also do with some slower, more brooding/epic moments, as they're a very fast and furious beast. Quite violent. The drummer was going nuts for the full 45 minute set - I got exhausted and drunk just watching him. Live on stage they looked amazing though. Great stage set-up corpse paint, the works. Just an amazing band to watch live. They're supporting Dark Funeral in a couple of weeks too which will be fun. Terrible band name. Christ Dismembered... There's nothing subtle about it, but I guess it fits with their violent black metal assault. Overall, I'm a fan.

And I finally checked it out. I agree, this album is really good and much better than I think I was anticipating. The guitarwork is straight out of the 'Grand Declaration of War' playbook; it's just so tight and precise yet also emotive. I don't know how he does it. The riffs are just so damn awesome. Drums are also great of course, but what surprises me is how much I'm enjoying David Vincent's voice. He has such a great tone, and you can hear every word clearly. The only downside is that it can be a bit samey, although it's only 38 minutes so it feels complete and compact. For me the standout track is 'Last Ones Alive Win Nothing', with that slow yet epic riff. It's so damn haunting and sinister. Almost song of the year for me.

Cradle of Filth - 'Cruelty and the Beast' original version with lyrics the booklet. I used to own a version with lyrics, then lost it and bought a replacement that didn't have lyrics, and now have bought this copy so that I have the lyrics again. With two disks I'll now keep one in the car permanently and one in the in-house collection. Mayhem - 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' re-release with lyrics in the booklet. Can't even remember which edition it was and it's upstairs. I never had the lyrics version and I needed to remedy that. I didn't really need the music...again... but anyway, there it is. Darkthrone 'True Norwegian Black Metal' Hoodie - It's a warm and fleecy hoodie that I've decided is more suitable for inside wear and not really a outdoors/gig thing. I've got a Mayhem hoodie that I only wear inside but it's getting old, so this is the replacement. Domestic black metal gear is the best.

I could go a steamed ham.