WAXGOAT226 Bloodthorn (Nor) - Natteskyggen - MLP

It’s indisputable fact that MANY foundational black metal recordings hailed from early ‘90s Norway; no need to list all of them, for those who know, should know. Nevertheless, there were an equally many number of bands who released superlative materials but never received the recognition it truly deserved.

One such Norwegian black metal band was BLOODTHORN. Formed in that fateful, fiery year of 1992, it would take the band four years before they recorded a demo, but what a demo it was. Natteskyggen is pure, undiluted GRIM MAJESTY: atmosphere thick as fog from the darkest past, its hypnotic march inexorable in its movement and intensity, the sound itself becoming another spectral instrument. This demo was recorded with the duo of vocalist Krell and guitarist Tommen, and while BLOODTHORN here used a drum machine, such usage only serves to make their catacombs all the more splendorous. If anything, its unfussy integration into Tommen’s dense-yet-spacious riffing combined with Krell’s throatier ululations puts Natteskyggen closer to contemporaneous cult Hellenic black metal ala Nergal, Demogorgon, Tatir, and the infamous Legion of Doom. Which is to say nothing of the tasteful dusting of medieval synth through it all…

True Norwegian Black Metal may’ve been dead in 1996 or at least on the precipice of commercialization, but one listen to BLOODTHORN at this stage sets the mind back to better days – a nostalgic spelunk into times of authentic mysticism. Criminally, Natteskyggen had only ever been released on vinyl as a bonus fourth side of their debut album, In the Shadow of Your Black Wings, which also featured both tracks re-recorded with a bigger session lineup. As such, the original Natteskyggen demo is the definitive version, lacking the gloss and polish of that nevertheless-respectable first album.

Cut at 45 RPM and with one epic-length song occupying each side of 12” vinyl, GoatowaRex resurrects the noble ghost of BLOODTHORN ’96 with Natteskyggen.

Tracklist:

1. March to War 0:00
2. Natteskyggen 08:03