Black Metal Invasion

At the turn of the year 1991/92 black metal still seems to be unknown and non-existant to most people in Norway. Meanwhile, Norwegian underground activity is extensive. One of the very active and ambitious bands bears the name Satyricon, and is known to most people in the scene, although to ordinary people an absent phenomena. They make some rehearsal tapes for their own use, and in order to check response from others. That summer they record their first official demo, self titled. Determined to establish a name for themselves, they work aggressively in relation to the underground round and about in Europe. They sell reasonably well and end up with a sale of approximately 1000 copies. Internal problems in the band increase during the autumn, and some of the members are told to leave. Two out, one in. The latter is Frost himself, one of two who form Satyricon's basic platform. Inspired by a strong experience of enthusiasm and progress, the band develop new songs and lyrics. The song titled "Ravens black" is especially chosen to get record labels interested in their work. This was composed before unrest in the band had begun, but after the first demo. There is positive feedback, and the band is at the same time working together in order to develope both the music and the chemistry. This work gets completed in winter 1993, titled "The forest is my throne". At this stage the band is gradually beginning to form its own style and trademark. This demo is really well received and after sales have passed about 1500 copies the band just doesn't bother to print any more copies.

No Fashion Records in Sweden have been considering Satyricon for a long time, and they decided to sign them on. The bands' first aim has been acheived, and they are extremely satisfied. One has to remember that it's only during the last two years that it has been easier to sign a record deal than to steal sweets from a child.

Ideas are bountiful and many new themes come to light after dark. Some of the themes that started as minor creations, are further developed for use on album. Satyr writes lyrics about his facination for the middle ages and the atmosphere associated with the theme. Pure fantasies, longing, visions, death, darkness and the foul plague. Just before going into studio another member of the band leaves, which means that out of the original band members figuring on the first demo only one remains. Crisis? No, not really. Satyr and Frost are still there. These two are by far of most significance, both musically and ideologically. In the long run this strengthens the band... now there is a full commitment. With passion and enthusiasm they start work on their debut album, "Dark Medieval Times". Half way through the recording sessions the worst possible thing happens. The record company is short of founds, and the studio doesn't get fees in advance as per agreement. As a result, recordings has to bee stopped until payment is made. The companies assures Satyricon that the money will arrive soon. But it's out of the question to wait. Satyr and Frost put together both personal savings and private loans in order to finish off the recording. Satyr then travels to Grieg Hallen in Bergen to mix the album. After a couple of days there he decides that the job would be better done where he came from, and he returns home to mix in the same studio where they had recorded. Now they like it! Cassettes are distributed to various companies, and they get offers from a number of them. The offer Satyricon is most keen on is from a lable that doesn't want to change their release schedule. This would mean eight months of waiting. FORGET IT! So just by chance they come across Tatra who are highly impressed by the "Dark Medieval Times" recording and they buy the master tape. Bearing in mind the fact that this type of music is somewhat unusual for the avant garde label Tatra Productions, discussions commence around the possibility of releasing Satyricon under their own lable, subordinate to Tatra. That's how Moonfog began. What was meant to be a monicker separating Satyricon from other Tatra stuff, gradually became a label. When the album is released it gets embraced by the underground and Satyricon rapidly acheives status as one of the most important black metal bands. Right in the middle of all this there is enormous media focus on Norwegian black metal, and this has both good and bad effects. What people notice quite apart from all this, is that Satyricon has something that the others don't have. The dynamics, the long acoustic passages, the progressive elements and the lyrical and musical inspiration from the middle ages. In the course of time this album becomes a trend-setter for many bands. One started hearing stuff from others which seemed to be extremely similar to something one had heard before, something very close indeed! This was regarded as a compliment and a confirmation of the fact that what one had acheived was appreciated. Hard work and a serious attitude had paid off. Nor was the record company crying itself to sleep as a result of sales statistics. These turned out to be far beyond previous expectations. We choose to focus on the timespan before and including "Dark Medieval Times", since most people seem to find that period obscure.

Few can expect what the already impressive telluric black metal combo from France can now evoke. After their highly acclaimed debut, Loi Martiale, Terribilis Est Locus Iste represenst a key to new creations and time, an abyss of cold and disharmonic emotions which dwell with primordial obscurantism. Serpents will strangle the earth, moving away from the oppressive light and going deep into the womb of pestilence. Connections can be made with Deathspell Omega most uncompromised diabolical summonings (sans the technical provocations, but engendering the same occult, hellish rituals).

Tracklist :
1. Earth 04:32
2. Darwin's Black Hall 07:42
3. The Descent 07:01
4. Psalm IV 07:05
5. Ghost of Dust 05:24
6. Cold Room 04:51
7. Genesis of Everything 01:59
8. Those Who Believed 05:18
9. The Asthenic Ascension 08:51
************************************
Total Playing : 52:43

Tracklist :
1. Fornemmelse 02:30
2. Frossen Skog 03:01
3. Bitt 03:08
4. Draugtatt 02:39
5. Sorg 02:46
6. Nidhevn 01:46
7. Angst 03:04
8. Tunge Dråper fra et Mørkt Hjerte 03:19
9. Villsti 03:44
10. Labyrint 04:01
****************************************
Total Playing : 29:58

Tracklist :
1. Ich hab geträumt... 02:33
2. Mein inner Sturm 06:02
3. Im Trauerhain 05:28
4. Zeitenwandrer 05:31
5. Die Seele frei 06:13
6. Flammend 04:49
7. Sehnsucht versus Leben 06:11
8. Ich, der Pan 06:06
9. Der stille Mond 05:50
10. Seelenwund 04:26
11. Träumers Flucht 06:48
12. Erwachen... 04:35
- Show Dark lyrics
Total Playing : 01:04:32

Tracklist :
1. Suffering the Swine Array 07:48
2. Death Fetter 05:06
3. Of the White Fall and Frozen Walls 08:08
4. Addressing the Scorn Pole 07:17
5. Coins Under Corpses 08:14
6. Cutting the Necks of the Upstarts 07:22
7. Sword Rape 06:33
8. Observe the Symbol 08:22
*****************************************
Total Playing : 58:50

Tracklist :
1. Blóðstokkinn 01:16
2. Jóln 05:51
3. Alfadanz 09:22
4. Hit helga Tré 06:51
5. Æra 03:58
6. Heiðr 03:02
7. Valgaldr 08:03
8. Galgviðr 07:16
9. Surtr Sunnan 04:14
10. Gullaldr 10:20
11. Níðhöggr 05:00
- Show Dark lyrics
Total Playing : 01:05:13