Anyhow,  if you follow the link you’ll see that Gaahl continues to spew his anti-christian rhetoric (gee, he sang for a black metal band and he hates Christians – go figure) but this time has captured the attention of the media in general & Lutheran bishop Halvor Nordhaug in particular. Seems His Excellency believes Gaahl “displays some scary attitudes by defending church burnings”. Ok, I would agree that extremist viewpoints condoning violence of this nature could understandably be construed as  ’scary’. Or ‘insane’. Score one for the Bishop.

But here’s where it gets interesting. Gaahl is reportedly gay.  So if it’s ok to believe “We have to remove every trace from what Christianity, and the semitic roots, have to offer this world” as he states in the 2005 documentary “Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey” then does he also agree that those of an opposing viewpoint towards HIS sexuality have that same right?  Is gay-bashing justified??

I think this is clearly an example of “eye for an eye and the world goes blind”.  Gaahl – your hypocrisy is showing.  And I don’t mean Pete Tägtgren’s band either.  Perhaps before recommending that the black masses continue senseless church burnings, you should first consider your own glass house, hmmm?

Youtube.com

The story goes that 2 NY filmmakers moved to Norway & literally befriended many of the movers & shakers of the early black metal scene – to get a story like none before them, detailing the inner circle of musicians (some would say madmen?) who forged arguably one of the most extreme musical genres ever.

And the film makers actually did get interviews with some serious heavy hitters – Varg, Frost, Bard, Fenriz, Hellhammer, Abbath & Garm to name a few.  If you’re familiar with this genre at all, you understand that these are some of it’s pioneers – and many don’t do interviews that often.

The official website (http://www.blackmetalmovie.com) has quotes from some fairly prominent publications as well – Variety, Alternative Film Guide, LA Weekly and even The Onion are listed.  Sure, sure – it’s all part of the hype.  So I’m intrigued, what can I say?

Hope to see this somehow when it comes out (undoubtedly distribution will be hit n’ miss).  It has the high potential to shine some light on an excruciatingly dark & twisted music form.

Best.  Black Metal.  Video.  EVAR.  And no, Satyricon’s “Mother North” is NOT better – even with it’s hot topless chick.  Thanks to Steve for pointing this out to me.  In reality, it’s a trailer for World of Warcraft that has been fan overlapped with Heaven Shall Burn’s “Endzeit”.  Fucking awesome! That sword is BADASS!!

Well, could be because most of ‘em are misanthropic, egomaniacial assholes. . .but maybe there’s something more. Perhaps, a simple communication issue with the world at large. Satanists need love too, don’t they? Oh sure, most of ‘em would rip your heart out in a New York minute (which are noticably faster, btw) and serve it up to their deity du jour. But perhaps if SOMEONE actually threw them an awards show, they’d come. Well, probably not Varg but maybe everyone else would.

So why not the Golden Goats? Catchy name, I know. Imagine the heatedly contested categories that could arise for a Billy (as they would undoubtably be called). You know, “Best Use of a Naked Female in a video” or “Most Sacrilegious Album Cover” or “Highest Use of Treble in a Recording” – that sort of thing? “Most Diabolical Use of a Formerly Sacred Object in a Lyrical Context”. Ok, I’m getting carried away now, aren’t I?

Still, I’m just suggesting that it could be done. Not tastefully perhaps, but since when has music been about good taste, eh? And my suggestion for locale from which to televise said event is either Bergen, Norway (DUH!), Gothenburg, Sweden (ok, technically a Death metal town) or maybe Cleveland. Y’know, Ohio? Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame ring any bells. Sheesh, get out a little, will ya’?

And in whatever case, you have to offer me VIP seating ’cause I thought of the whole damn thing! That, and some wenches to sit by me and bring me beer. See how easy I am to work with? Whatever.

Anyhow, check out the link below to watch Erkekjetter (as his homies call him) dishin’ up some dawgs with shrimp salad & tortillas alongside hotness herself, Stella.  Who can’t cook, apparently.

Oh, and there’s footage from Dimmu Borgir’s live DVD spliced in to keep ya’ interested.  NOW ya’ want the link?  Here it is;

http://www.shockhound.com/videos/435-stella-can-t-cook–dimmu-borgir

Blabbermouth.net – Swedish Black Metal act Nifleheim have created quite a stir with an interview published in Sweden Rock magazine recently.   Specifically the uproar is over insensitive comments made by bassist Tyrant when reminded that the day before the interview had marked the 22nd anniversary of Cliff Burton’s (Metallica) death.  The translated quote goes like this;

“That’s right. I laughed and pissed on a photo of him. Speaking of which, when did that Dimebag Darrell [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist] die? Damn how I cheered! Fucking glamf*g. One – nil to NIFELHEIM. Too bad Phil Anselmo [PANTERA singer] didn’t die too; that was probably the only time I wished PANTERA had actually played.”

Mature comments from a man dressed like a transvestite dwarf, don’t you think?

Obviously this is either an ill-conceived publicity stunt or the ravings of a drunk.  Every man is entitled to their opinion, I just think delighting over the death of another (or worse, WISHING death on someone) is repugnant behavior showing a complete lack of class or intellect.  As I watched a few videos by these guys on Youtube, I’m more & more convinced that they are the Black Metal equivalent to Spinal Tap; deluded by their own grandeur & completely ignorant of the laughing stock they’ve become.

Sad, really.

Strange purports to have co-written her book with the help of Ohlin, who committed suicide in April 8, 1991 – as in worked with him AFTER his suicide, not before. Indeed, and as unlikely as this match-up may seem Lily contends it to be true. She claims the restless spirit of Ohlin started visiting her in November of 2005 and grew to assist her with (and later co-author) a novel she had started at the time.

Ok, so yeah – you fans of early Mayhem only THINK you have all the relevant material in your collection but may be missing some more recent offerings – freshly ‘dug up’ so to speak.

Anyhow, I don’t judge here but merely pass along the info to my interested readers. Not gonna comment on the fact that half the proceeds of sales (all of 13 copies according to the site itself) go to the World Federation for Mental Health. There’s definitely fodder for a straight line or two but let’s leave it alone.

I will only say this; check out her site (http://www.lilystrange.com) and decide for yourself. After all, she’s not the first to make such a claim – Rosemary Brown once made quite an uproar with her ‘new’ compositions from classic artists such as Liszt, Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin.

And if Dead is ghost writing, perhaps he’ll pen a new song or two for the next Mayhem disc? Or maybe Metallica??

Visually, it’s a beautiful release and the juxtaposition of a traditional Japanese dragon onto the infamous goat’s head & pentagram is an interesting way of acknowledging both bands.  But the actual album length, well that IS my biggest complaint – only 7 tracks?  This little beauty clocks in at only a little over 22 minutes total, so I’m wondering why we couldn’t have had 5 more songs?  I mean, not like it’s a hard band to cover, eh?  Would’ve taken what. . . 10 more minutes for the boys to learn “In Nomine Satanas” & “Live Like an Angel”?  But I digress. . .

Sigh clearly does this as a labor of love, choosing tracks only from the first two Venom releases “Welcome to Hell” & “Black Metal” (other than “Diehard” which was originally a single), both arguably being the band’s most influencial releases (understatement, I think).

They go for more or less a straightforward interpretation of each tune, most notably differentiated by vocalist Mirai Kawashima’s snarling (& heavily accented) voice versus Cronos’ more gutteral rasp from the originals.  “Mayhem With Mercy” is played with Sigh’s trademark keyboards rather than accoustically on guitar, “Schizoid” becomes “Schizo” when Sigh does it (it’s the same song, trust me).   Other than that, your looking at more or less direct interpretations of the originals – albeit well executed ones.  The track list is :

• Black Metal (Of Course!)
• Diehard
• Countess Bathory
• Schizo
• Mayhem With Mercy
• Teacher’s Pet
• Witching Hour

Like I said, I would’ve loved to see it be a longer release, maybe including a track or two from “At War With Satan” and “Possessed”.   That being said, if you’re a fan of either band this is pretty much a must-have.

Check it out HERE

This time out, I can only say – WHOA! In the words of Nathan Explosion of Dethklok – it’s BRUTAL. Seriously, don’t follow that link unless you’re prepared for the onslaught. Very tight, very well executed Norwegian style Black Metal from the heart of Ohio. Ihsahn would be proud.

Obviously, not for the faint of heart or you Cradle fans who think you know what that scene is all about. Not dissin’ Cradle here, but when I say oldschool. . . I fucking mean it.   And considering the state of ‘the scene’ these days, anyone ANYWHERE who’s true to the sound and inspiration of that movement. . . well, I think they deserve a serious listen.  ‘The Glorious Return’. . . go play it.  g’head.   Excellently heavy and as full of hatred as anything Gorgoroth can conjure.

Another fav – “Come Drink Mead With Us”. . .well, I’d like to think I was an inspiration.  Prolly not, but I’d like to think so. 

Horns Bolthorn.  Well done & I wish you lots o’ luck.