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The eighth full-length studio album by legendary American Thrash Metal band.
Originally released in 1999, the album came at a time when the Metal’s winds were shifting: Nu-Metal had peaked, Death Metal was on the rise, and every classic band under the sun seemed to be reuniting. Testament always capable of weathering any industry storm, faced the challenge by creating one of the most brutal and relevant albums in its career.
Co-produced by the last original remaining band members at that time Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson, this is the first album featuring new artists James Murphy (Death, Obituary), Steve DiGiorgio (Death, Sadus, Autopsy) and Dave Lombardo (Slayer). Billy, Peterson and Lombardo, along with long time Testament collaborator Del James, are also given composer credits on the album.
The album was reissued 2008 with an instrumental bonus track increasing the new track total to twelve.
"The Gathering" reached #48 on the German album charts.
This is one of the most furious and inspired modern Thrash Metal albums ever and one of Testament’s best. This is a brilliant Thrash Metal album. Fans of the genre should own this album, if only because good Thrash Metal albums were a rarity back in the late 1990’s. But even if that wasn’t true, this is a quality album that deserves to be heard by anyone who has a heart for this genre!
Reissue from 2022 with a back cover, that differs in barcode and label info from the reissues in 2018 and 2020. This is supposed to be a misprint, because the catalogue number NB 4277-1 on both labels already belongs to the three versions of In Flames “Down, Wicked & No Good”. The correct catalogue number is NB 4227-1.
Nuclear Blast Records, 1999/2022 (NB 42771 | NB 4227-1). Catalogue number misprint.


Tracklist:

Side A
01. D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate) 03:32
02. Down For Life 03:22
03. Eyes Of Wrath 05:26
04. True Believer 03:36
05. 3 Days In Darkness 04:41
06. Legions Of The Dead 02:7

Side B
01. Careful What You Wish For 03:30
02. Riding The Snake 04:13
03. Allegiance 02:37
04. Sewn Shut Eyes 04:15
05. Fall Of Sipledome 04:47
06. Hammer Of The Gods 03:13

Total playing time: 45:49 min.

The debut full-length studio album by legendary American Thrash Metal band.
Comparable to Slayer, Megadeth and Metallica, Testament is one of Thrash Metal's more accessible and best-known bands. “The Legacy” was an Underground hit and is widely considered to be the band's best album, although it did not break the band into the Rock mainstream. Testament quickly earned respect in Thrash Metal circles with its debut album, a relentlessly heavy and promising effort focusing on such subjects as the occult, witchcraft, nuclear war and global destruction. A song titled "The Legacy" was later released on the 1990 album “Souls Of Black”.
180 gram audiophile vinyl.
Atlantic Recording Corporation/Warner Music Benelux B.V./Music On Vinyl, 1987/2021 (MOVLP2817). Made in Netherlands.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Over The Wall 04:04
2. The Haunting 04:11
3. Burnt Offerings 05:03
4. Raging Waters 04:30
5. C.O.T.L.O.D. 02:28

Side Two
6. First Strike Is Deadly 03:41
7. Do Or Die 04:36
8. Alone In The Dark 04:01
9. Apocalyptic City 05:48

Total playing time: 38:22 min.

The second full-length studio album by Portuguese Blues Rock band.
Their story begins with the natural approach of a talented singer, native of another country, with a collective of seasoned musicians already working the grounds of their home town. The passion for Blues and Old-school Rock’n’Roll was the sparkle that started all. After the success of the debut record “The Sun In The Tenth House” the band is paving the way to secure their place as one of the most promising acts on the Blues Rock scene.
"A Light In The Darkness" was recorded in January - February 2025, with sessions divided into three different studios, always looking for the best features in each one to fulfil the band’s vision. The band underwent a major line-up change, with the departure of guitarist Marco Reis and the recruitment of Ricardo Galrão to fill in the position. His distinctive style brought a new dimension to their sound, and it’s well showcased on the new recordings. "A Light In The Darkness" was produced by the band and mixed by bassist Ricardo Dikk, top-notch engineers were brought to precisely capture the full potential of the songs, and every track was recorded without the use of modern correction technology; no digital quantization, no Autotune, no extensive editing, just raw and high energy performances by the band members.
"A Light In The Darkness", is definitely a leap forward on The Bateleurs sound and aesthetics. Dive deep into this pool of sonic exploration, swamp mud filled riffs, high soaring laments of human experience, thunderous drums from the bottom of the soul, and celebrate the ever-changing, but everlasting ritual of the Blues and Rock’n’Roll…
Discos Macarras, 2025 (DM-080-LP). Made in Spain. First press.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. A Price For My Soul 4:26
2. Widow Queen 4:10
3. For All To See 4:49
4. Dancing On A String 4:08
5. Never Back Down 4:37

Side B
6. The Lighthouse 7:29
7. Best Of Days 4:09
8. Gardens Of Babylon 4:40
9. Down The Garden Path 5:50


https://thebateleurs.bandcamp.com/
https://discosmacarras.bandcamp.com/

The debut full-length studio album by Polish Metal band.
Mix of various Metal sub-genres for fans of Alice In Chance, Mastodon and not only...
Green Lungs Records, 2017 (009 CD). Made in. First press.


Tracklist:
1. The Introduction 01:26
2. Bad Memories 03:30
3. Life Wasting 04:16
4. The King 03:20
5. We Live Only Once 06:39
6. No More! 03:37
7. Consumer World Destroys Us 03:47
8. Death Awaits You 03:37
9. The Devil Horns 04:27
10. Get a Grip! 05:13
Total playing time: 39:54 min.


Samples: https://theblackthunder.bandcamp.com

The second full-length studio album by Spanish Melodic Death Metal band.
A perfect mix of speed, technique and melody in twelve amazing pieces, presented as a beautiful digipack.
Suspiria Records, 2016 (SPR021). Made in Spain. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Alpha 02:27
2. The Warrior Within 03:23
3. Falling from Grave 03:58
4. New Millennium Spawn 03:54
5. The Coven of Rats 03:52
6. At the Foot of the Monolith 03:34
7. Dead City Gospel 03:11
8. Ten Times Stronger 03:53
9. Overcome 05:02
10. Seeds of Madness 03:36
11. Bitter Game 02:34
12. Omega 03:20
Total playing time: 42:44 min.


Samples: https://thedescentofficial.bandcamp.com



 

The fourth full-length studio album by American Mathcore band.
The Dillinger Escape Plan's first release to feature Billy Rymer on drums, since Gil Sharone left the band in September 2008 due to the frequent touring schedule and to focus on his brother's band Stolen Babies.
After having fulfilled their contract with Relapse Records, the band released the album through Party Smasher Inc., their own new imprint in collaboration with French record label Season of Mist.
Former frontman Dimitri Minakakis (who also contributed artwork for 2004 album "Miss Machine") created the artwork for "Option Paralysis".
The Dillinger Escape Plan is a paradoxical phenomenon, fusing the Raw Punkish attitude of Hardcore with the Mathematical precision of Progressive Extreme Metal and the spontaneity of Free Jazz. Though their complex song structures are hardly a recipe for easy listening, in the thirteen years of their existence the New Jersey outfit has risen from being an Underground Thrash band to a genre defining staple in today's musical landscape.
Produced by long time collaborator Steve Evetts (The Cure, Sepultura), "Option Paralysis" features all their trademark furious breaks and asymmetric rhythmical patterns, but surprises us throughout with a tasteful yet haunting melody. Adding Greg Puciato's deeply emotional vocals to Ben Weinman's groundbreaking guitar work, the Americans emerge with a vision, which will take them to new dimensions. The Dillinger Escape Plan boldly went where no band dared to go before. "Option Paralysis" will be an inspiration for the next generation!
"Option Paralysis" debuted at number 78 on the Billboard 200 with 7 100 units sold.
Season Of Mist, 2010 (SOM 200D). Made in France. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Farewell, Mona Lisa 5:23
2. Good Neighbor 2:30
3. Gold Teeth On A Bum 5:23
4. Crystal Morning 2:02
5. Endless Endings 2:33
6. Widower 6:24
7. Room Full Of Eyes 4:16
8. Chinese Whispers 4:07
9. I Wouldn't If You Didn't 4:14
10. Parasitic Twins 4:39
11. Heat Deaf Melted Grill 2:52
Total playing time: 44:18 min.


Samples: https://seasonofmistrecords.bandcamp.com

Re-release of the fifth full-length studio album by legendary American Psychedelic/Blues Rock band.
Following the use of brass and string arrangements recommended by producer Paul A. Rothchild on their previous album, "The Soft Parade", the band returned to their original Blues Rock style and was largely seen as a return to form for the band.
The Doors entered Elektra Sound Recorders in Los Angeles in November 1969 to record the album which is divided into two separately titled sides: "Hard Rock Cafe" and "Morrison Hotel". The band included session bassists Lonnie Mack and Ray Neapolitan on the album's songs.
The album peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, and performed better overseas than the preceding album. It was certified Gold by RIAA in February 1970. Additionally, it became the band's highest-charting studio album in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at No. 12.
Reissue on 180-gram HQ virgin vinyl housed in gatefold cover presents the original stereo mixes, artwork and a folded Elektra insert.
Elektra Records/Rhino Records, 1970/2009 (8122-79865-3). Made in EU.


Tracklist:

Side One: Hard Rock Cafe
1. Roadhouse Blues 4:04 
2. Waiting For The Sun 3:58 
3. You Make Me Real 2:50 
4. Peace Frog 2:52 
5. Blue Sunday 2:08 
6. Ship Of Fools 3:06

Side Two: Morrison Hotel
7. Land Ho! 4:08 
8. The Spy 4:15 
9. Queen Of The Highway 2:47 
10. Indian Summer 2:33 
11. Maggie M'gill 4:24

Total playing time: 37:05 min.

Remastered re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary American Psychedelic Rock band.
Many of the songs on "Strange Days" had been written around the same time as the ones that appeared on "The Doors" (1967), and with hindsight one has the sense that the best of the batch had already been cherry-picked for the debut album. For that reason, the band's second effort isn't as consistently stunning as their debut, though overall it's a very successful continuation of the themes of their classic album. Besides the hit "Strange Days", highlights included the funky "Moonlight Drive", the eerie "You're Lost Little Girl", and the jerkily rhythmic "Love Me Two Times", which gave the band a small chart single. "My Eyes Have Seen You" and "I Can't See Your Face in My Mind" are minor but pleasing entries in the band's repertoire that share a subdued Eastern Psychedelic air. The 11-minute "When the Music's Over" would often be featured as a live showstopper, yet it also illustrated their tendency to occasionally slip into drawn-out bombast.
The album was a commercial success, reaching number 3 on the US Billboard 200 during a sixty-three-week chart stay in November 1967, and eventually earning RIAA Platinum certification. The album contains the Top 30 hit singles "People Are Strange" and "Love Me Two Times". In 2003, "Strange Days" was listed at No. 407 on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". In 2007, Rolling Stone included it on their list "The 40 Essential Albums of 1967".
Remastered from the Original 1967 MONO MASTER 180-gram HQ virgin. Issued with a 4-page fold out lyric sheet.
Elektra Entertainment/Rhino Entertainment Company, a Warner Music Group Company, 1967/2017 (081227931810). Mono. Made in EU.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Strange Days 3:05
2. You're Lost Little Girl 3:01
3. Love Me Two Times 3:23
4. Unhappy Girl 2:00
5. Horse Latitudes 1:30
6. Moonlight Drive 3:00

Side Two
1. People Are Strange 2:10
2. My Eyes Have Seen You 2:22
3. I Can't See Your Face In My Mind 3:18
4. When The Music's Over 11:00

Total playing time: 34:49 min.

The second full-length studio album by American Death/Black Metal band.
Extreme and unholy Metal from California!
An eclectic assault of audible terror for fans of: Morbid Angel, Impaled Nazarene, Gorguts, Terrorizer, Sadus and Pestilence!!
DeathGasm Records, 2008 (DG-051). Made in USA. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Hells Mouth (Intro) 0:51
2. Welcome to the End 4:17
3. Traveler of the Universal Dream 3:03
4. Diary of A Misanthrope 3:12
5. Eater of Shadows 4:16
6. Lust of the Succubus 3:02
7. Thicker Than Blood 5:42
8. The Conqueror 4:28
9. Da'ath - The Afterlife 5:03
10. God Can't Save Me 3:04
11. Extreme Manifestation of Demonic Possession 3:47
12. Darkness Eternal 1:42
13. Insatiable 4:25
14. Outro (untitled) 2:24
Total playing time: 49:18 min.

The second full-length studio album by German Folk/Power Metal band.
While people usually think of Alestorm when the term "Pirate Metal", there is obviously more than just this band. The Privateer doesn’t sound like Alestorm, not at all! It’s a mix of melodic Death Metal, acoustic passages, here and there are some influences of classic Heavy Metal, and of course some elements of Folk Metal, where the violin plays the lead role.
No song is the same, and they found a good balance between harsher, pounding songs and acoustic, atmospheric songs. In result, an album that keeps your attention and it stays interesting during the playtime of almost an hour.
"Monolith" is a decent record, with songs that are going to be a success when played live. Nice for those fans of pirates!
Trollzorn Records, 2013 (TZ 045). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria. First press. Please note: although the item is new and never played, there are light visual bends on the booklet and shabby on disc surface, that happened during transit.


Tracklist:
1. Setting Forth 1:32
2. A Sequel From A Distant Visit 4:14
3. What We Took Home 2:31
4. Track Down And Avenge 5:11
5. Ember Sea 6:11
6. Monolith 6:08
7. Störtebeker 4:38
8. The Privateer 3:27
9. Madmans Diaries 4:38
10. The Tides 2:59
11. For What Lurks In The Storm 6:18
12. In The Nought Of The Wind 6:27
Total playing time: 54:22 min.

Debut full-length album by Italian Sludge/Stoner/Groove Metal band.
Do you are familiar with the sound of Southern Pantera? Here you have the way of such bands like Down and Hell Yeah followed closely, and of course one cannot even here the qualities of Dimebag heritage approach. The reasons for the current example are relatively diverse, with well is crucial that The Red Coil does not even show the ambition to build a similarly monstrous groove wall as the Anselmo clan. Instead, consider the five spaghetti equivalents much more, if you think it should remain at Rock riffs or rather the Metallic variant preferred. Before this however misinterpreted: "Lam", the new shekel of the Southern quintet is, in terms of songwriting by far not the worst export, the nation emits boots in this area. But as so often one just has the impression would have been that with more determination and energy strike out a lot more!
Buil2Kill Records, 2012 (). Made in Italy. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Mahakala     00:57 
2. The Ones That Fall from Grace     03:18 
3. Eastern Smell of Smoke     05:43 
4. Fuckin' Numb     03:58 
5. S.S.C.     05:53 
6. The Desert's Crown     06:20 
7. Narcotic Jail     04:44 
8. Daybreak     05:00 
9. Barrio Alto     03:33 
10. Beginning from Nowhere     05:36
Total playing time: 45:02

Compilation album by legendary British Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, incl. The Royal Choral Society and guests, performing cover songs of The Beatles, Queen, ABBA, and The Police.
Shermon/Bellevue Publishing UK Ltd., 2020 (02134-VB). Made in the E.U. First press.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles cover) 3:31
2. Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen cover) 6:18
3. Mamma Mia (ABBA cover) 3:11
4. Message In A Bottle (The Police) 3:52
5. All You Need Is Love (The Beatles cover) 2:47
6. Don't Stop Me Now (Queen cover) 4:52

Side Two
1. Killer Queen (Queen cover) 5:12
2. Knowing Me, Knowing You (ABBA cover) 5:29
3. Roxanne (The Police) 4:20
4. The Long And Winding Road (The Beatles cover) 2:59
5. Chiquitita (ABBA cover) 2:54
6. Walking On The Moon (The Police) 3:48

Deluxe Editions of the debut EP by Brazilian Thrash/Death Metal band, led by Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz, former member of the original Sepultura line-up.
Tormentor (Ex-Sepultura, Ex-The Mist) is an author and co-author of the classic records “Bestial Devastation” and “Morbid Visions”, and having also collaborated on some of “Schizophrenia’s” compositions. 
The band also includes bassist/vocalist Alex Kafer (Enterro, Explicit Hate, ex-Necromancer), drummer Alexandre Oliveira (Southern Blacklist, Raising Conviction), and guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis, acclaimed graphic artist for legendary bands such as Slayer, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and Hatebreed among many others).
The Troops Of Doom’s goal is to revisit the essence of ‘80s style Death Metal, exploring a more primitive sound that takes listeners back to that era, while remaining fresh and genuine.
“The Rise Of Heresy,” which features four original songs and two cover versions of Sepultura classics, “Bestial Devastation” and “Troops of Doom”, was mastered by Øystein G. Brun (Borknagar) at Crosound Studio in Norway.
If you’re a fan of the Sepultura's earliest days, you should definitely have a good time here! Without a doubt, EP of the year!!
Deluxe Digipak with embossed logo in gold metallic ink + exclusive woven patch.
Metalized Records, 2020 (MRCD-002). Made in Mexico. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Whispering Dead Words 5:20
2. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 3:39
3. The Confessional 3:35
4. The Rise Of Heresy 3:25
5. Bestial Devastation (Sepultura cover) 2:52
6. Troops Of Doom (Sepultura cover) 3:31
Total playing time: 22:22 min.

The second full-length album by Moldovian Atmospheric Death Metal band.
Aggression, heaviness and melody of MDM combined with dark and gloomy atmosphere of Doom Metal. 
The lyrics are about feelings of people, who live in modern world, where thrives distortion of values and worsening conditions for a psychological state of humanity. This album is devoted to thoughts and feelings of people of various "stratums of society", who are poisoned with modern world's influence, the reasons for its occurrence and the values accumulated by generations, and lost by us. 
The theme and atmosphere of the album emphasized by hard guitar riffs, a massive basis of the rhythm section, atmospheric and symphonic keyboards melodies, expressive and emotional growl.
Recommended for fans of: Septicflesh, Swallow The Sun, Opeth and Fleshgod Apocalypse!
Metal Scrap Records, 2015 (MSR108/CD). Made in Ukraine. First press.
 

Tracklist:
1. End of Time 01:01
2. Megiddo 03:35
3. Towards Extinction 04:00
4. Under the Fire Garden 03:36
5. Death Monastery 04:15
6. The Ultimate Dream 03:40
7. In the Depths of Theories 05:54
8. Part of Humanity 08:39
9. Issued Blood 04:06
10. Flakes of Rapture 03:03
11. The Beginning of... 00:47
Total playing time: 43:01 min.

 

The second full-length studio album by Italian Melodic Black Metal band.
An honest Black Metal album - no compromise, no strange influences, just Black Metal as we like to listen to!
Vacula Productions, 2017 (VP 041). Made in Ukraine. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Intro 02:07
2. Black & Grim 05:09
3. Entropy 03:15
4. Die by My Hand 04:48
5. Eternal Fog 05:29
6. Srebrenica 06:15
7. Morbid Tales (Celtic Frost cover) 03:06
8. To Another Meaning of Grace 05:38
9. The End 04:33
10. Outro 01:53
Total playing time: 42:15 min.


Samples: https://vaculaproductions.bandcamp.com

The eighth full-length album by the legendary Swedish Symphonic Metal band.
As with many of Therion's other albums, "Deggial" features a choir and orchestra. Unlike their earlier release "Vovin", which seemed to focus more on vocals, "Deggial"'s style leans towards Hard Rock and sounds overall like "Vovin" with more atmosphere.
The first track "Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx" starts almost where "Vovin" ended. First 'slap' in the face - heavy riff combined with "accelerating" guitar melodies and just after.....those "typical" Therion's chorus falling from Olympia (women & men chorus voices following each other) Wow!!!
A start "à la" Maiden for the second song (on first track you could also hear Maiden typical melody style). The chorus (women & men) are back again and this time you have this feeling too hear Mozart's requiem symphony. Violins are great and the mixture with the "unplugged" guitar and this 70's drums sound leaves speechless...
Suddenly an accelerating riff announces the "entry" of "flute, trumpet, cello, contrabass". In two words, the orchestra arrives and confirming it has not been invited just to be mentioned on the booklet. The third song start with this feeling that first two songs have been mixed up; fantastic "simple riff" and again this women chorus starts to hit your brain. This unbelievable melody comes from heaven and seems to be totally timeless.
Fourth track till the eighth one confirms the first impression: A "comet" in the Metal universe.
It is not over. Song 9 starts with a "Running Wild's riff", unbelievable! The "Flesh Of The Gods", the title track, will hits you! Hansi (Blind Guardian / Demons & Wizards) starts to sing and illuminate even more this already wonderful album with his magical voice!
But, it is still not over! Song 10th start like a "typical requiem song" and Christopher Johnsson decide to mix the women chorus with a bombastic "double bass" riff coming straight from Iced Earth! Masterpiece!!
After a good Judas Priest or Immortal album, sometimes you want to rest in peace in your bed. Sometimes you would like to seduce a girl (or a boy) and listen to something more "quiet", but it has to be a Metal Band! Don't search anymore, Therion's "Deggial" has been recorded for this type of situation!!
Nuclear Blast GmbH, 2000 (NB 442-2). Made in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Seven Secrets Of The Sphinx 3:35
2. Eternal Return 7:10
3. Enter Vril-Ya 6:38
4. Ship Of Luna 6:28
5. The Invincible 5:09
6. Deggial 5:03
7. Emerald Crown 5:29
8. The Flight Of The Lord Of Flies 1:22
9. Flesh Of The Gods 4:06
10. Via Nocturna (Part I And II) 9:33
11. O Fortuna 3:22
Total playing time: 57:55 min.

Samples: http://www.last.fm

The seventeenth full-length studio album by legendary Swedish Symphonic Metal band.
With defiant determination rarely found in a metal band, Therion have always and exclusively done what they deemed right. Never did they stick to a successful formula, never did they give in to fickle friends like expectation, commercial aspects or trends. Now, more than three decades into their storied career, they actually do something every fan had hoped for but never actually thought possible. “We wanted to give fans what they want this time,” is how musical mastermind Christofer Johnsson describes the second part in a trilogy.
According to Christofer Johnsson, this second part of the trilogy attempts aimed towards a "more moody and melancholic" sound, that rekindles the "mystic, melancholic aura" of their groundbreaking work "Vovin".
“Leviathan II” is a mystic, melancholic, epic, heavy, orchestral, catchy and atmospheric sonic feast, distilling the essence of Therion in magnificent songs!
Strictly limited to 500 copies, Orange with Black/White Splatter Vinyl in Gatefold Cover.
(6124 | NB 6124-1). Made in Germany. Pressed in France. First press.


Tracklist:

Side I
1. Aeon Of Maat 2:37
2. Litany Of The Fallen 4:11
3. Alchemy Of The Soul 4:11
4. Lunar Coloured Fields 5:40
5. Lucifuge Rofocale 4:43
6. Marijin Min Nar 5:46

Side II
7. Hades And Elysium 4:23
8. Midnight Star 4:43
9. Cavern Cold As Ice 3:26
10. Codex Gigas 4:07
11. Pazuzu 4:28

Total playing time: 48:15 min.

The fifth full-length album by legendary Swedish Symphonic/Operatic Metal band.
Therion’s "Theli" may be the most essential Symphonic Metal album ever released. It’s the kind of work that is necessary to listen to at least once in a lifetime of fandom. It’s an album worth exploring thoroughly for Therion fans. What makes Theli stand out among other ambitious releases is the consequent will to fuse Operatic and Symphonic elements with Doom, Gothic, and even Power Metal in equal parts to invent something extremely courageous and completely unrivaled in originality. It’s something new from an intellectual point of view, but also from an Atmospheric and Technical approach. This album features sophisticated tracks including dark and raw vocals, full choirs, gripping riffing, vivid rhythm work, and the crowning keyboard orchestrations. Classical music and Heavy Metal have rarely come into such close contact as on this release. At a time when the Metal scene seemed to be waning in power, bands like Amorphis, Moonspell, and Therion kept an entire scene alive with their determined approach to inventing and reinventing themselves with each new release.
Most of old fans first listened to Therion’s "In Mega Therion" when it was included on a double DVD collection as part of Nuclear Blast’s “Monsters Of Metal” series. There are a very few precious moments in your life when you listen to a song and realize that it will change your perception of music. Listening to this song was one of those moments. The beauty and the beast mixture of heavy riffs and powerful raw male vocals with male and female choirs was special enough. When the incredible solo with dueling guitar and keyboard came up, followed by a section of sacred-sounding choirs, you got heavy goosebumps and a racing heartbeat. The conclusion kicked in, with enchanting piano and trumpet, and you had tears in your eyes. Choirs, pianos, violins, and even trumpets in a Metal song? This was something completely new to all Metalheads, and it shook up their world. Thanks to Therion, much of Metalheads started to listen to and to appreciate Classical Music at that young age. These long-haired Death Metal musicians had just reinvented a whole genre with a song!!
It’s hard to believe it, but the most amazing thing about "Theli" is that the rest of the album is just as amazing as the opening “Preludium” and “To Mega Therion”. The relaxing bass and the mysterious keyboard tones of “Cults Of The Shadow“ immediately will grab your intention, and the song becomes a catchy, yet diversified Symphonic Metal anthem with two different gloomy male vocalists in addition to the grandiose choirs. This song is very easy to approach and catchy from the beginning onward. The following “In The Desert Of Set” comes around with an obvious Egyptian feel. From the intro on, guitars take control and lead into passages where gracious female and male choirs interchange with both clean and harsh male vocals. The song surprises with its impressive structure that includes a short bass guitar interlude, recurring Folk elements, majestic grand piano, and faster orchestral parts. Therion put more ideas into this single impressive song than most others put into entire albums or discographies. “Nightside Of Eden” continues to convince with more Progressive, almost Space Rock-infused sounds a passionate ending with guitar solos of the highest quality. “Invocation Of Naamah” is the only faster track on the record that goes musically back to the band’s early days. The fast Melodic Death Metal verses meet the band’s typical Orchestral elements and operatic vocals for most of the rest of the song, and the final result sounds refreshingly balanced. “The Siren Of The Woods“ is by far the longest track on the record, and it’s a very appeasing and elegiac song that delivers more mysterious keyboard sounds, sacral chants, and an Epic atmosphere. It is mostly instrumental, and features almost no Metal instrumentation whatsoever. The soothing female vocals will make you think of new age music, but they also have a tender Asian Folk-like touch to them. The calm male singing that complements the female performer could have come straight from an Italian opera. Among many very impressive songs, this one is definitely Therion’s most courageous and radical, as it nearly breaks with any expectations held by critics and fans, as well as Therion’s own Doom and Death Metal ridden past. It’s very symbolic to choose exactly this title as a single. It shows the world that with Therion, you can only expect the unexpected. Despite its length, this floating lullaby definitely has its very own charm. It’s a perfect track to peacefully fall asleep to.
This was the last album on which Christofer Johnsson sang, and the final album to include any Death Metal growls until their brief appearance on 2004's "Lemuria".
There is no questioning that "Theli" is a revolutionary record!
Have fun with this mind blowing masterpiece!!
Nuclear Blast GmbH, 1996 (NB 179-2). Made in UK. Re-press.


Tracklist:
1. Preludium 1:43 
2. To Mega Therion 6:35 
3. Cults Of The Shadows 5:14 
4. In The Desert Of Set 5:29 
5. Interludium 1:48 
6. Nightside Of Eden 7:32 
7. Opus Eclipse 3:41 
8. Invocation Of Naamah 5:32 
9. The Siren Of The Woods 9:55 
10. Grand Finale / Postludium 4:05
Total playing time: 51:34 min.

The first re-release of the debut EP by legendary Swedish Death Metal band.
With their debut album, "Of Darkness…" (1991), Therion delivered a true milestone in Swedish Death Metal. Before that, they released the "Time Shall Tell" demo in 1989 and got a re-release as a 12" EP by House Of Kicks a year after. Now, 32 years later, Hammerheart Records gets it a much-deserved reissue.
Much deserved, as this has been hailed as being one of the pinnacles of the infamous early Swedish Death Metal scene. And not unjustified at all. These four tracks all have memorable hooks, catchy song structures and unparalleled dynamics. Maybe most ear-catching though are the strong vocals. Rather straightforward yet performed with such a fanatical power that they became half of the trademark of the early Therion-sound. The other half is the sound. Though being one of the earliest recordings by any band in that early Swedish scene and being recorded at the Sunlight Studios by Thomas Skogsberg, it does not have that typical Swedish buzz saw guitar sound yet. Nor has it that same Punk-based Nihilist sound that was basically the blueprint for many other bands that followed, instead Therion had more in common with early American Death Metal bands, which gave them a distinctive identity amongst their peers. Yet, they were still able to blend this all into something that sounds very Swedish nonetheless. All this together, combined with the rather dark production, makes this an EP of iconic stature, not equalled by many.
A much-deserved reissue, not only because the original 12" EP is rather hard to get. But also, to help us remind that before Therion grew into the hugely commercial giant they are today, they were a great and promising Death Metal band that helped kickstart a scene that is still so very vital even today!
Released under license and in co-operation with Therion, black vinyl in glossy cover with silver foil stamping.
Hammerheart Records, 1990/2022 (HHR 2022-13). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Time Shall Tell 5:07
2. Dark Eternity 4:45

Side Two
3. Asphyxiate With Fear 4:41
4. A Suburb To Hell 5:19

Total playing time: 19:52 min.

The first re-release of the debut EP by legendary Swedish Death Metal band.
With their debut album, "Of Darkness…" (1991), Therion delivered a true milestone in Swedish Death Metal. Before that, they released the "Time Shall Tell" demo in 1989 and got a re-release as a 12" EP by House Of Kicks a year after. Now, 32 years later, Hammerheart Records gets it a much-deserved reissue.
Much deserved, as this has been hailed as being one of the pinnacles of the infamous early Swedish Death Metal scene. And not unjustified at all. These four tracks all have memorable hooks, catchy song structures and unparalleled dynamics. Maybe most ear-catching though are the strong vocals. Rather straightforward yet performed with such a fanatical power that they became half of the trademark of the early Therion-sound. The other half is the sound. Though being one of the earliest recordings by any band in that early Swedish scene and being recorded at the Sunlight Studios by Thomas Skogsberg, it does not have that typical Swedish buzz saw guitar sound yet. Nor has it that same Punk-based Nihilist sound that was basically the blueprint for many other bands that followed, instead Therion had more in common with early American Death Metal bands, which gave them a distinctive identity amongst their peers. Yet, they were still able to blend this all into something that sounds very Swedish nonetheless. All this together, combined with the rather dark production, makes this an EP of iconic stature, not equalled by many.
A much-deserved reissue, not only because the original 12" EP is rather hard to get. But also, to help us remind that before Therion grew into the hugely commercial giant they are today, they were a great and promising Death Metal band that helped kickstart a scene that is still so very vital even today!
Released under license and in co-operation with Therion, limited to 250 copies Silver vinyl in glossy cover with silver foil stamping.
Hammerheart Records, 1990/2022 (HHR 2022-13). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side One
1. Time Shall Tell 5:07
2. Dark Eternity 4:45

Side Two
3. Asphyxiate With Fear 4:41
4. A Suburb To Hell 5:19

Total playing time: 19:52 min.