Released in 2001 by the French label Fatal records, this is a bootleg CDR featuring all the band's recordings before their first LP, "Soulside Journey". So here you have, in chronological order, the "Land of Frost" '88 demo, "A new dimension" '88 promo tape, "Thulcandra" '89 demo, "Cromlech" '89 demo and a live gig recorded in December 1989 for Oslo TV, a Norwegian TV channel. The quailty of the recordings varies from "correct" to "excellent", the best sound qualities being the ones of the "Thulcandra" demo , the '88 promo tape & the "Live in Oslo 89" recording. Also note that all the recordings are complete (i.e. the demos are FULL / UNCUT,unlike on other bootleg CDs on which you can find only one or two tracks from each demo...)

This release is limited to 150 handnumbered copies, and comes with a 4-page B&W xeroxed booklet, with a very informative biography of the band for the '86 / '89 era, also including information about BLACK DEATH, Fenriz's first band, which lately become DARKTHRONE. There are also some pictures of the band when the members were just teenagers, in the late '80s, which shows you the other face of these Norwegian Legends... I would recommend this CD only to DARKTHRONE die-hard fans & those who want all black metal rarities, because this is not a release to make you discover that band. If you don't know DARKTHRONE, buy their official CDs or die !

Rating : 7/10

PS : If anyone is interested in that recording, email me 'cos I have some for trade...

© 2002 lord pesten