CD

NORDIC METAL

HELHEIM, founded in Bergen, Norway in 1992 were eager to establish themselves in the Norwegian Black Metal scene and released their first demo in 1993. Heavily influenced by BATHORY and including a cover of VENOM`s “Countess Bathory” to pay tribute to one of their foremost influences, the first demo, while being an interesting document of the time and showing potential, still lacked the depth and ambition of their later work.

Their second demo entitled Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr and released in 1994 marked a major leap in style and quality. With a for a demo unusually long playing time of nearly 50 minutes, HELHEIM`s second effort saw the horde introducing female vocals, folk and Viking elements and even trumpets. Obviously influenced by compatriots ENSLAVED, it featured non-linear compositions and a unique sound. This demo is considered a landmark in Norwegian Metal and far surpasses the typical expectations of a demo release. It`s with Niðr Ok Norðr Liggr Helvegr that HELHEIM found their sound and catapulted themselves to the forefront of Norwegian Black Metal.

Remastered from the original DATs by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony.

A long and detailed new interview about the time from 1992-1997 was conducted with the band exclusively for these current reissues.A long and detailed new interview about the time from 1992-1997 was conducted with the band exclusively for these current reissues.
The jewel-case CD comes with a 20-page booklet including the interview and many never before-seen pictures.

For the 30th anniversary we are proud to present you this special edition of HELHEIMs classic debut-album Jormundgand in various formats.

In 1995, only one year after their second demo, HELHEIM’s eponymous debut album Jormundgand made its appearance.
Marked by its nearly eight-minute title track, it immediately establishes a powerful presence with sharp drums, piercing guitars, intense musicianship, and a distinct vocal performance reminiscent of early screams of Count Grishnackh. The track “Jormundgand” stands as a defining moment in Black Metal, encapsulating the band’s epic style and Norwegian roots. However, it’s the consistent quality and cohesion of the entire album that truly cements its legendary status. Although musically and thematically still drawing inspiration from early ENSLAVED “Jormundgand” is far from being a carbon copy of said band.
Even thirty years after its release, “Jormundgand” retains its raw power and enduring energy, solidifying its place as a classic in the Black Metal genre.

Recorded in the legendary Grieghallen Studio, this album is still a living witness of a time full of awakening, rebellion, creativity and nordic coldness.
A truly timeless creation released exactly 30 years ago and which has lost none of its hseer power nor energy.

Av Norrøn Ætt, HELHEIM`s second album released in 1997 basically continues where the band left off with their predecessor. All the elements present on Jormundgand are part of their sound again – only intensified and more proficient. Thus, Av Norrøn Ætt features more chaotic Black Metal, more pronounced folk and Viking influences, and an even grander epic scope. Only the high-pitched screaming vocals are gone and have been replaced by grim croaking. The album is intense and ambitious, with long, complex tracks that showcase intricate arrangements. Its title track especially stands out as a fusion of Black Metal, Viking music, and even prog-rock influences. Often compared to early ENSLAVED, particularly their Eld album from the same year, Av Norrøn Ætt represents a peak of creativity for HELHEIM. It remains their most ambitious work and a unique, unmatched moment in their discography. Av Norrøn Ætt truly ranks among the masterpieces of Norwegian Black Metal.

In 1993, in the midst of the second wave`s heyday, when numerous classic albums saw the light of day and many a blaze ignited the northern sky, GEHENNA were brought forth in Stavanger, Norway`s fourth largest city.
In the course of the same year their efforts resulted in their first and only demo Black Seared Heart which was released by the band on tape in very limited quantities.
The demo comprises 7 songs of which 3 are instrumentals serving as intro and outros respectively.
Although the demo reveals the members` at the time limited capabilites as musicians, it`s, by and large, a very enjoyable  first recording with lasting qualities. The sound is leagues above the average demo production since Black Seared Heart was recorded in a studio.
The moody songs – for the most part played in moderate tempo – are written in a way that reveals GEHENNA as talented songwriters even at this early stage.
Notably, the keyboards, whose remarkable melodies would go on to become one of the band`s trademarks were already present on the demo.

As an added bonus the rerelease of Black Seared Heart comes with an instrumental, a song recorded at the rehearsal-room and most importantly a  studio recording-session that was aborted before completion that was supposed to result in the band`s first EP First Spell.

The songs were completely new remastered by Patrick W. Engel at the Temple of Disharmony to ensure the best possible sound for this timeless Black Metal classic.

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD.
It contains the new interview and many never before-seen pictures spread over a 28 pages booklet.

Released one year after their demo Black Seared Heart, it was First Spell that put GEHENNA on the map for real.
Originally released in 1994 by Metalion`s legendary label ‘Head Not Found’, the EP shows a band – even though only founded 1 year prior – already on top of their game. Each of the 5 tracks is a masterpiece in its own right. “The Shivering Voice Of The Ghost” or “Unearthly Loose Palace” – can it get more sombre than that?
Macabre and utterly dark, the highly original and memorable tracks are considerably enhanced by keyboardplayer extraordinaire Sarcana.
First Spell is one of the very best EPs ever done in Norway and belongs in every self-respecting Black Metal fan`s collection.

The songs were completely new remastered by Patrick W. Engel at the Temple of Disharmony to ensure the best possible sound for this timeless Black Metal classic.

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD.
It contains the new interview and many never before-seen pictures spread over a 28 pages booklet.

Seen Through The Veils Of Darkness (2^nd Spell) is GEHENNA`s first full-length album which was originally released in 1995.
They kept their characteristic sound intact, yet stepped each and every element of their sound up a notch or two. The highly melodic sound which has over the years become one of the band`s trademarks, presents itself refined with subtle details.
For the first time, GEHENNA dare to incorporate fast-paced passages into their songs too.
Considering the high compositional level of the album, one is simply awe-struck by the band`s enormous development within only 2 years since GEHENNA`s inception.
Seen Through The Veils Of Darkness (2^nd Spell) is a symphonic Black Metal masterpiece and a highlight of the genre.

The songs were completely new remastered by Patrick W. Engel at the Temple of Disharmony to ensure the best possible sound for this timeless Black Metal classic.

Luxurious hardcover digibook-CD.
It contains the new interview and many never before-seen pictures spread over a 28 pages booklet.

The songs were completely new remastered by Patrick W. Engel at the Temple of Disharmony to ensure the best possible sound for this timeless Black Metal classic.

Luxurious hardcover digibook double-CD including the complete demo-recordings of “Malice”.
It contains the new interview and many never before-seen pictures spread over a 28 pages booklet

Darkness Shall Rise Productions are proud to continue its reissue campaign by rereleasing the band`s only demo for the very first time on LP, CD and tape. The track “Autopoema” recorded at the same time as the other songs but not included on the original demo makes its first appearance as a bonus.

Although based out of Trondheim, Norway and entering the scene exactly when (Norwegian) Black Metal reached its popular peak after having garnered – besides brilliant music – worldwide notoriety for various criminal activities like arson and murder, THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL set out to tread an entirely different path. As one of the first bands which dared to blend Doom Metal`s heaviness with ethereal female vocals and progressive influences – a formula that countless bands would go on to embrace globally – the young Norwegians set themselves apart and carved out their own unique niche from the very start.

Here is another fundamental reissue of the Les Legions Noires archive, Aäkon Këëtrëh’s legendary demo “Dans La Forêt…“, originally released in 1996. Lord Aäkon Këëtrëh unique tunes should be well known to any Black Metal / Dark Ambient fan, 8 tracks that can be considered a must have for every fan. Totally remastered and with restored layout.