Posted inReview
Some excursions into Atmospheric Black Metal
It is easy to understand the maligned reputation of the "atmospheric" epithet in black metal (or metal and music at large), first given the low bar of quality established by…
Posted inReview
Unholy – From the Shadows (1993)
Finland’s Unholy gained a reputation in underground metal for their unique take on the funeral doom genre, itself a very specific niche that might come off as inherently limited but…
Posted inPodcast
Hessian Scrum: Nisse Karlén from Sacramentum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiUqAaiol2w The latest episode of the Hessian Scrum podcast is already out; this time, I step in to interview Nisse Karlén, vocalist of Sacramentum. Topics include: his early tape trading…
Posted inPodcast
Hessian Scrum: Yusaf from Dødheimsgard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkp64RlNdC8&ab_channel=HessianFirm The Hessian Scrum podcast returns with a very special guest: Vicotnik (Yusaf Parvez), from legendary and boundary-pushing norwegian band Dødheimsgard and other projects such as Ved Buens Ende and…
Septicflesh and Horrified: Two Underappreciated EPs
The extreme metal scene that flourished in the late '80s/early '90s in Greece attained distinction and a particular reputation in the underground for most bands' heightened incorporation of melody and…
Posted inReview
Skin Chamber – Wound (1991)
Skin Chamber was a short-lived side-project by members of Controlled Bleeding that managed to release two albums in as many years. Their debut’s appropriate title – perhaps a reference to…
Posted inReview
Empyrium – Über den Sternen (2021)
German band Empyrium’s admirable path consistently shows them preserving an highly unique voice while adapting to varying contexts and an evolving inventory of skills. The band’s strengths as composers and…
Posted inPodcast
Hessian Scrum #4: Cullen Toner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcmiCNMwIbY The Hessian Scrum podcast continues and for this entry our guest is Cullen Toner, mastermind of Dawnbreaker and former member of many other underground metal bands like Abazagorath.
Posted inPodcast
Hessian Scrum #3: Into Oblivion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Rt2dJkS5s As you've probably noticed if you've been following Hessian Firm lately, the podcast format is one we've decided to make use of with particular dedication. For the third entry…
Posted inPodcast
Hessian Scrum Pdcast, episode 2: Jan Kruitwagen from Sammath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91u5qgclbjY The Hessian Firm podcast continues, and for this entry we're joined by none other than Jan Kruitwagen from the legendary black metal band Sammath. Throughout their consistent career, the…