Lugubrum / Finsternis
Al Ghemist/Split CD
[Full Moon]
Before proceeding with the review, I'd just like to mention my complete disgust with FMP on the endless amount of delays (most of which not being their fault, but the way Thorns handled the situation was) on this release, so if all you want to hear about is the actual music, scroll down for a while. Originally it was supposed to be out in November 2001 - however, it was really no surprise when the web site update mentioned it would not be done until early 2002, so I waited until January 20th to preorder a copy (along with the Beherit shirt). Then, one day following that order all of a sudden there's "Thanks to a few new delays, these CD's will be pushed back a few weeks. Keep checking this page for updates." So not too disconcerted yet, I kept doing that, and everything grew continuously worse.
On February 12th an "official release date" had been set for February 22nd. February 24th, the Lugubrum/Finsternis was supposedly "now in stock," so now I'm expecting that given those setbacks Thorns would have mailed out the copies to those with preorders as soon as possible and I'll be receiving it in the mail any day now; but somehow, on March 1st, FMP claims to have it "in stock" once again. About ten days after that, it appears over on the side bar in their list of new arrivals, and I figure by this point they must absolutely have it - which they did, because about two days following that now I get "due to a major glitch, the CD's have been delayed again..." or something along those lines. So now once more I'm left hoping that these most recent manifestations don't take too long (and I know many others can sympathize here), and the frustration grows.
March 27th, at last FMP mails off the orders to most of those waiting. April 1st, the mailing is completed. Around April 4th, I finally receive my Lugubrum/Finsternis split, roughly six months later than the original schedule - with a credit slip in place of the Beherit shirt, saying that it would probably be mailed next week. I'm not even going to ask what the dilemma is with that since it was supposedly in stock back on January 30th; all I can say is, never again FMP. It's gotten to the point where no labels/distributors can be relied on for anything anymore.
For all of that waiting, at least Full Moon did do an excellent job with this release, and that I do not hesitate to admit. Nice packaging, good sound, a very long playing time, and overall with Conqueror and Mysticum, the best thing to ever touch this label.
Now that I'm finished with my usual tangent, I'll finally get to the review.
Lugubrum - After Lugubrum went way off the deep end with Bruyne Troon succeeding the incredible De Totem, Al Ghemist more than does their name proud again. The insane Burzumesque/Master's Hammer influenced screeching vocals have been pushed even farther into the foreground, and the music itself has taken on more of a doomish, dwindling quality, back along the lines of De Zuivering again (their side of the split with Sudarium - along with De Totem, I consider that Lugubrum's best work). Obviously Midgaars was fed up with the outcome of the previous recording and he has what I consider among the best black metal bands in the world right now back on the right course again.
Following a traditionally sloshing intro, "Hunted Ordure" is an absolutely incredible track - beginning very slow and mesmerizing, it sort of seeps and echoes for about five painstaking minutes, and all of a sudden there's insane riffing reminiscent of "Voos" at the end with birds chirping in the background. "Marginatus" is another killer, with a very thrashing setting closer to the better tracks from Winterstones albeit the more recent structural changes. As usual the trademark banjo adds great effect to many of the songs, and it gives the entire side an overwhelming aura of perversity, following in the monstrously chaotic and sick atmosphere which has come to define this bizarre band.
Finsternis - This is the side-project of Zwelg and Svein, and really having no idea what to expect from it at all, I can say now my only complaint is that deciding which side of the split I like better has become a complete toss-up. If any band can make you headbang and slam your hands on things as much as Lugubrum, that might be Finsternis; as one mate mentioned, the music sounds sort of like a Gorgoroth demo at times, although this is more completely inspired by the rocking, spirited thrash of the 80's. I don't even know how to describe the vocals, but since most of you are used to my over-the-top metaphors I'll go with that - it's like they are being emitted by a guttural croaking zombie, approaching you and trying to thieve the lifeblood from your body as the poisonous sound reverberates throughout all of its bones. "War-witch Breeding" and "Grafgeraas" are so totally crushing they'll take the paint off your walls and the intro/outro seems as well thought out as Lugubrum's.
Even for those of you who already own the Al Ghemist LP, this is a great purchase just to get the other side. De Totem scarcely left my cd player for months, and I have no idea how long this will be there - I'm not at all happy with FMP, but they did make the waiting worthwhile.
© 2002 hando
On February 12th an "official release date" had been set for February 22nd. February 24th, the Lugubrum/Finsternis was supposedly "now in stock," so now I'm expecting that given those setbacks Thorns would have mailed out the copies to those with preorders as soon as possible and I'll be receiving it in the mail any day now; but somehow, on March 1st, FMP claims to have it "in stock" once again. About ten days after that, it appears over on the side bar in their list of new arrivals, and I figure by this point they must absolutely have it - which they did, because about two days following that now I get "due to a major glitch, the CD's have been delayed again..." or something along those lines. So now once more I'm left hoping that these most recent manifestations don't take too long (and I know many others can sympathize here), and the frustration grows.
March 27th, at last FMP mails off the orders to most of those waiting. April 1st, the mailing is completed. Around April 4th, I finally receive my Lugubrum/Finsternis split, roughly six months later than the original schedule - with a credit slip in place of the Beherit shirt, saying that it would probably be mailed next week. I'm not even going to ask what the dilemma is with that since it was supposedly in stock back on January 30th; all I can say is, never again FMP. It's gotten to the point where no labels/distributors can be relied on for anything anymore.
For all of that waiting, at least Full Moon did do an excellent job with this release, and that I do not hesitate to admit. Nice packaging, good sound, a very long playing time, and overall with Conqueror and Mysticum, the best thing to ever touch this label.
Now that I'm finished with my usual tangent, I'll finally get to the review.
Lugubrum - After Lugubrum went way off the deep end with Bruyne Troon succeeding the incredible De Totem, Al Ghemist more than does their name proud again. The insane Burzumesque/Master's Hammer influenced screeching vocals have been pushed even farther into the foreground, and the music itself has taken on more of a doomish, dwindling quality, back along the lines of De Zuivering again (their side of the split with Sudarium - along with De Totem, I consider that Lugubrum's best work). Obviously Midgaars was fed up with the outcome of the previous recording and he has what I consider among the best black metal bands in the world right now back on the right course again.
Following a traditionally sloshing intro, "Hunted Ordure" is an absolutely incredible track - beginning very slow and mesmerizing, it sort of seeps and echoes for about five painstaking minutes, and all of a sudden there's insane riffing reminiscent of "Voos" at the end with birds chirping in the background. "Marginatus" is another killer, with a very thrashing setting closer to the better tracks from Winterstones albeit the more recent structural changes. As usual the trademark banjo adds great effect to many of the songs, and it gives the entire side an overwhelming aura of perversity, following in the monstrously chaotic and sick atmosphere which has come to define this bizarre band.
Finsternis - This is the side-project of Zwelg and Svein, and really having no idea what to expect from it at all, I can say now my only complaint is that deciding which side of the split I like better has become a complete toss-up. If any band can make you headbang and slam your hands on things as much as Lugubrum, that might be Finsternis; as one mate mentioned, the music sounds sort of like a Gorgoroth demo at times, although this is more completely inspired by the rocking, spirited thrash of the 80's. I don't even know how to describe the vocals, but since most of you are used to my over-the-top metaphors I'll go with that - it's like they are being emitted by a guttural croaking zombie, approaching you and trying to thieve the lifeblood from your body as the poisonous sound reverberates throughout all of its bones. "War-witch Breeding" and "Grafgeraas" are so totally crushing they'll take the paint off your walls and the intro/outro seems as well thought out as Lugubrum's.
Even for those of you who already own the Al Ghemist LP, this is a great purchase just to get the other side. De Totem scarcely left my cd player for months, and I have no idea how long this will be there - I'm not at all happy with FMP, but they did make the waiting worthwhile.
© 2002 hando