Fuccckkiinnnnn'''' hell the gods of war were angry when they formed this band! From France comes Deathspell Omega, and after their excellent demo (limited to 66 copies - and re-released on the B side here) on Drakkar, they've become the first non-Finnish band to release an album on the Northern Heritage label. 200 hand-numbered copies with disturbing, BLACK packaging. Vinyl collectors are smiling!

They pop up every so often, but are indeed rare - bands that are influenced by, but sound as good as Darkthrone that is. "Infernal Battles" takes the coldest and most depressing moments from Darkthrone and turn it into eight black as death tracks. The title track and 'As Flittermice...' on 'TH' come to mind obviously.

The LP opens up with 'The Victory of Impurity' - one of the better and COLDER Darkthrone-ish tracks I've heard in recent memory. 'Drink the Devil's Blood' rages at an earlier Darkthrone pace (the production here KILLS as it captures everything perfectly), while 'Extinction of the Weak' is more blatant Bathory in many ways.

The demo tracks are slightly rawer and probably recorded straight from a rehearsal, but still reign supreme in every way. 'Raping Human Dignity' makes me clench my fists and grind my teeth with true hate.

Losers, traitors, and trendies claim that black metal is dead and that it's time to 'move on'. One listen to the melancholy and bleakness presented here, and their constant whining will mean nothing to you...

'Through this release, we spread utter hate and total sickness. Most of you, worms as you are, will not understand Deathspell Omega, and it is just fine that way...'

© 2000 brand