NOKTURNAL MORTUM “The Voice Of Steel” /CD/

First re-release of the third full-length studio album by legendary Ukrainian Pagan/Folk/Symphonic Black Metal band.
After the monument “Goat Horns”, Nokturnal Mortum struck again with their next opus in 1998. This masterpiece confirmed their status of Folk/Symphonic Black Metal masters and opened new gates to the band since they signed contract with US The End Records. It was a great achievement for the horde to sign at such mainstream label. And it’s interesting to notice that the album was sold by The End Records in the North American continent and released by Nuclear Blast in Europe. The Ukrainians were at the height of their popularity within the Underground Black Metal scene at that time, just one year before the release of the highly controversial “Nechrist”.
“To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire” was an instant success and sold out quickly. Following its successful reception, Nuclear Blast and other important labels were interested in welcoming Nokturnal Mortum to their roster, but Knjaz Varggoth declined the offers. This fourth Slavonic jewel also confirmed their brotherhood with Lucifugum (another pioneers of Ukrainian Black Metal) as it was dedicated to Igor Naumchuk, alias Khlyst, who was manager of Lucifugum and their close friend at that time.
Varggoth and his comrades clearly wrote their most bestial and powerful songs ever in this album. The production is far better than their previous releases, and Munruthel’s drums sound like a relentless steamroller. That’s definitely his best performance as a drummer within Nokturnal Mortum. Varggoth’s vocals have never been so much hateful than on this record. He also had the excellent idea to provide some solemn clean vocals that make the compositions even more epic and impressive.
Despite being ignored by the band for a long time (no re-release since 2004), “To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire” remains an incredible masterpiece of the genre. It was also a huge influence for lots of Ukrainian acts including Lucifugum for instance. There are indeed many similarities between this opus and Lucifugum’s monument “On The Sortilage Of Christianity” from 1999. That’s not surprising as Saturious provided some fabulous keyboards on this one as well.
Elegant Ukrainian Black Metal for fans of Emperor and Dimmu Borgir!!
Oriana Productions, 1998/2001 (ANTIGOD 2). Made in Ukraine.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Bestial Summoning 05:59
2. To The Gates Of Blasphemous Fire 05:26
3. On The Moonlight Path 05:24
4. The Hands Of Chaos 05:09
5. Ластівка (Через Річку, Через Гай) / Swallow (Through the River, Through the Woods) (Hidden Track) 02:37

Side B
6. Под Знаменами Рогатого Князя / Under the Banners of the Horned Knjaz 05:57
7. The 13th Asbath Celebration 08:30
8. Черемош / Cheremosh 06:06
9. The Forgotten Ages Of Victories 06:54

Total playing time: 52:03 min.


Samples: https://nokturnalmortum1.bandcamp.com

Third re-release on CD of the debut full-length album by legendary Ukrainian Pagan/Folk/Symphonic Black Metal band.
Originally released in 1996 on MC and considered by most as a demo-album, it's a professionally recorded full-length album and highly anticipated cult release requested by fans of elite Slavonic Black Metal, that was reissued on CD and vinyl for a several times.
"Lunar Poetry" is steeped in moonlight mystery and timeless Slavonic ritualism. This is Black Metal with highly expressive Folk sorrowful melodies. It delivers soaring guitars and apocalyptic keyboard passages. It offers a wide variance in vocals, from screams to whispers and narration, and it breathes the air of originality that Nokturnal Mortum is famous for.
Similar to Limbonic Art in their reliance on rumbling rhythm patterns and keyboard usage, Nokturnal Mortum did a fine job of capturing both - the bleakness of Black Metal, as well as a more ethnic representation of their native Ukrainian Folk music. The music is extremely fluid and tends to lean towards a more majestic and beautiful sound than harshness of Black Metal.
The band also covers Celtic Frost's "Sorrows of the Moon" with a nice degree of skill.
"Lunar Poetry" was way ahead of its time, and even today it sounds fresh and inspiring. In fact, the result is so startling - it is hard to imagine that this is only Nokturnal Mortum's very first journey into the dark, the ancient and the extreme... Regardless of occasional inexperience that is typical for a demo, "Lunar Poetry" is a beautiful, stirring and impressive album that utterly requires your attention if you have any liking for a keyboard laden Black Metal assault! Without a doubt, "Lunar Poetry" is one of the best Black Metal albums ever!!
Oriana Music, 1996/2001/2004/2010 (OMCD7). Made in Ukraine.


Tracklist:
1. Tears Of Paganism 01:07
2. Lunar Poetry 04:52
3. Perun's Celestial Silver 07:08
4. Carpathian Mysteries 05:13
5. ...And Winter Becomes 04:52
6. Ancient Nation 05:10
7. The Grief Of Oriana 05:33
8. Sorrows Of The Moon (Celtic Frost cover) 03:46
9. Autodafe / Barbarian Dreams 07:53
Total playing time: 45:34 min.

First re-release of the debut full-length album by legendary Ukrainian Pagan/Folk/Symphonic Black Metal band.
Originally released in 1996 on MC and considered by most as a demo-album, it's a professionally recorded full-length album and highly anticipated cult release requested by fans of elite Slavonic Black Metal, that was reissued on CD for a several times.
"Lunar Poetry" is steeped in moonlight mystery and timeless Slavonic ritualism. This is Black Metal with highly expressive Folk sorrowful melodies. It delivers soaring guitars and apocalyptic keyboard passages. It offers a wide variance in vocals, from screams to whispers and narration, and it breathes the air of originality that Nokturnal Mortum is famous for.
Similar to Limbonic Art in their reliance on rumbling rhythm patterns and keyboard usage, Nokturnal Mortum did a fine job of capturing both - the bleakness of Black Metal, as well as a more ethnic representation of their native Ukrainian Folk music. The music is extremely fluid and tends to lean towards a more majestic and beautiful sound than harshness of Black Metal.
The band also covers Celtic Frost's "Sorrows of the Moon" with a nice degree of skill.
"Lunar Poetry" was way ahead of its time, and even today, it sounds fresh and inspiring. In fact, the result is so startling - it is hard to imagine that this is only Nokturnal Mortum's very first journey into the dark, the ancient and the extreme... Regardless of occasional inexperience that is typical for a demo, "Lunar Poetry" is a beautiful, stirring and impressive album that utterly requires your attention if you have any liking for a keyboard laden Black Metal assault! Without a doubt, "Lunar Poetry" is one of the best Black Metal albums ever!!
Specially mastered for vinyl, Limited Edition to 400 copies 140g Dark Blue Vinyl in Gatefold 350g cover, with 220g printed inner sleeve, all assembled in PVC overbag.
Autographed by Knjaz Varggoth especially for Total Metal Shop customers!
Osmose Productions/Only Vinyl Is Real, 1996/2004/2020 (OVIR04). Made in France.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Tears Of Paganism 01:07
2. Lunar Poetry 04:52
3. Perun's Celestial Silver 07:08
4. Carpathian Mysteries 05:13
5. ...And Winter Becomes 04:52

Side B
6. Ancient Nation 05:10
7. The Grief Of Oriana 05:33
8. Sorrows Of The Moon (Celtic Frost cover) 03:46
9. Autodafe / Barbarian Dreams 07:53

Total playing time: 45:34 min.

First re-release of the second full-length studio album by legendary Ukrainian Pagan/Folk/Symphonic Black Metal band.
Nokturnal Mortum dwells in one of the darkest and forsaken realms of the Underground. Emanating from Ukraine, they have become legends in their ancient lands. In seven opuses band feature beauty in its darkest and most extreme form. What can be described as Lunar Black Metal, they take on a majestic journey that combines devastating Metal, with Folklore and Classical elements. This is a legendary epic - a grandiose masterpiece that only Nokturnal Mortum can deliver.
What makes Nokturnal Mortum stand above the rest is the very tasteful and effective use that is made of them. Their different voices and grades of presence make a strong contribution to the different moods and atmospheres to be found in each of the lengthy songs (the shortest one is around 7 minutes long). Band also imitate the sounds of traditional instruments that come in every now and then (one of the band’s trademarks), and the result is very realistic.
"Goat Horns" is one of a kind album - original, raw, melodic, atmospheric, immense in its symphonic scope and immediate in its enthralling charisma. "A blaze from the Ukrainian sky" - this is how this album can be described!
Specially mastered for vinyl, with complete new layout, "Goat Horns" re-issue comes with the original album cover. Limited Edition to 100 copies 180g Transparent Swamp Green Vinyl with silkscreen on Side D, housed in Gatefold 350g cover with pms print & silver hotfoil stamping, including 220g uncoated (matte) printed inner sleeves, all assembled in PVC overbag.
Autographed by Knjaz Varggoth especially for Total Metal Shop customers!
Osmose Productions/Only Vinyl Is Real, 1997/2004/2019 (OVIR042). Made in France. Pressed in Czech.


Tracklist:

Side A
1. Black Moon Overture 04:47
2. Kuyaviya 07:02

Side B
3. Goat Horns 09:04
4. Unholy Orathania 08:07

Side C
1. Veles' Scrolls 11:47
2. Kolyada 07:08
3. Eternal Circle / Ending 03:50

Total playing time: 51:51 min.


Samples:  https://nokturnalmortum1.bandcamp.com