Century Media summons… FIRESTARTER
Various Artists
Century Black
They burn churches, don’t they?
If you haven’t guessed by the title, this is a sampler album of mostly Norwegian black metal, the kind played at weekend church burnings. The CD case even has a “strike-anywhere” match embedded in its spine, in case you get the urge to “light one up… “
Folks, they’re burning centuries-old Christian churches all over Norway and celebrating such acts in the music of the twisted Viking youth. They’re also donning armor, makeup and weapons of the hand – all for the good of the show, mind you. I particularly like the look of Old Man’s Child; they seemed to have borrowed from the Misfits, King Diamond, KISS and GWAR to come up with their “demonic warrior” look. Emperor look menacing without much makeup at all and the kids in Satyricon, well, is it art? Black metal veterans Tiamat, though, win the “most evil band photo award.”
Other bands featured on this most evil of death metal compilations include Katatonia, Borknagar, Arcturus, Rotting Christ (from Greece!), Ulver and Mayhem. Yes, the Mayhem! It’s a live version of “Necrolust” recorded before Dead (their vocalist) blew his head off (from which other band members made soup – true story, documented in Spin a couple of years ago) and before guitarist Euronymous was stabbed to death over some sort of contractual disagreement.
This presentation represents a new low in bad taste, and, simultaneously, is proof that I don’t make this kind of stuff up! Century Media, 1453-A 14th St., Suite 324, Santa Monica, CA 90404; http://www.centurymedia.com
