Article by David Rosales.

The dilapidated edifice of modern human spirituality renders standard methods to access the secrets and mysteries so ineffectual that the average man today sees in these terms only quaint poetry or simply nonsense. A dark age of ignorance and inverted values requires an inverted path — one in which we enter a veritable Dark Night of the Soul, one in which a Nietzschean Going Under leads us to transformation and realization through acts of courage and commitment — is perhaps the most appropriate.

There are laws, techniques and acts which render the ascent possible, guarded by teachings which are only bestowed upon the chosen and the faithful.
—Gwendolyn Taunton, Primordial Traditions, Vol I.,

The refinement of tradition through different mirrors, filters, and experiences has led to a plethora of methods being developed; some of these have become increasingly effective, though some would say that the shorter the route the more dubious the method; in truth, it may just be that the most effective method is the most demanding for the human mind. We may see in the most fanatical, sincere and committed black metal a hint of this by what its aesthetics as a whole demand of the listener. The route is shorter, but it is also perilously steep and lacking safety nets.

That reward which a man obtains in the Krita by abstract meditation, in the Treta by sacrifice, in the Dwápara by adoration, he receives in the Kali by merely reciting the name of Kesava.
—Vishnu Purana, Book VI, Chapter 2

Rather than community and the support of a society, what will allow us to exit modernity’s dead end nature is the way of loneliness; this not only facilitates but is a requirement for the fastest way to introspection and self-realization; that we may we thus discover truth and beauty…

Such a path and mentality of the night, and the water under the moon, has been at the center of black metal ever since its inception; this is described most revealingly in the following words…

Instead of the listener feeling like he/she is being played to, I would rather they feel like the music is something they are privy to; perhaps as some clandestine eavesdropper.
—Oubliette interview for Introibo Ad Altare MMVIII

The music in question, the black metal of the depths, the literal dark mysticism, is however elitist through and through.

It’s only aimed at superior spirits, and on no account must be considered as a way of changing people’s mind. I speak of themes like knowledge/ignorance, destruction/rebirth, weak/superior races etc…
—Kaiser Wodhanaz interviewed by Lord Infaustum; statement was made in reference to Ad Hominem’s music, which I extend to loftier black metal.

Hare Sathanas Playlist

[Order only reflects a personal mood, not ranking.]

1. The Helheim Society – Helheim & Walpurgisnatt demos
2. Cantus Bestiae – The Cult of Sterility (2001)
3. Sabbathan – The Fury of the Storms (1998)
4. Sabbathan – Satanic’s Ritual’s (1993)
5. Hiborym – Abakua: Pacta Conventa Daemonorum (1995)
6. Katharsis – Kruzifixxion (2003)
7. S.V.E.S.T. – Urfaust (2003)

STANZAS OF THE SOUL
1. On a dark night, Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy
chance!—
I went forth without being observed, My house being now at
rest.
2. In darkness and secure, By the secret ladder, disguised—oh,
happy chance!—
In darkness and in concealment, My house being now at rest.
3. In the happy night, In secret, when none saw me,
Nor I beheld aught, Without light or guide, save that which
burned in my heart.
4. This light guided me More surely than the light of noonday
To the place where he (well I knew who!) was awaiting me—
A place where none appeared.
5. Oh, night that guided me, Oh, night more lovely than the
dawn,
Oh, night that joined Beloved with lover, Lover transformed in
the Beloved!
6. Upon my flowery breast, Kept wholly for himself alone,
There he stayed sleeping, and I caressed him, And the fanning of
the cedars made a breeze.
7. The breeze blew from the turret As I parted his locks;
With his gentle hand he wounded my neck And caused all my
senses to be suspended.
8. I remained, lost in oblivion; My face I reclined on the Beloved.
All ceased and I abandoned myself, Leaving my cares forgotten
among the lilies.

Tags: Black Metal, cantus bestiae, hiborym, katharsis, playlist, sabbathan, Satanism, SVEST, the helheim society, Today's playlist, Today's Recommended Playlist