Artist: Various Artists
Country: international
Label: ISO666
Formats: CD
Year: 2003
A compilation from the Greek ISO666 label. A very interesting collection of tracks by bands from the ISO stables. Varying within the more extreme genres of the metal spectrum. I will pick out six interesting tracks and discuss them separately.
Beginning with Thunderbolt, the track immediately sets the mood of the entire CD. A sick and grim atmosphere, as befits this kind of music. Thunderbolt was already not unfamiliar to me and as far as I’m concerned plays a mix between the earlier work of Emperor (‘In The Nightside Eclipse’) and the mid-90s period of Mayhem (i.e. ‘Wolf’s Lair Abyss’). Nice up-tempo black metal with a melodic touch.
The next track that pleases me is ‘Unholy Church’ by the Russian band Blackdeath. From the grim tones, the influences of Darkthrone, old Immortal and old Mayhem can be easily extracted, but it is brought in a more monotonous way than the aforementioned Norwegian bands. Highly recommended!
Goetia is the next track that convinces me. I know nothing else about this band and had not noticed them until this compilation. This band also plays a raw form of black metal with a slight audible death metal influence. The sick vocals (which incidentally remind me of Maniac (Mayhem)) complete this. A band to keep an eye on!
Again some raw sound, this time from Nocternity. The booklet mentions influences of Burzum and Emperor, however, I can’t relate to this very much. There is a misanthropic atmosphere here as well, though, and a sense of emptiness. Musically, they do a good job, writing pieces that remain very interesting due to frequent tempo changes and sporadic screaming guitar solos.
For me, the top act is Khert-Keter. These lads have already made their mark in the past in their respective bands Pest and Horna, which in itself says enough. Only, Khert-Neter’s music is not at all an extension of that of the aforementioned bands. This is sick old school death metal, the booklet mentions Incantation, Morbid Angel and Entombed as points of reference. And I can with say that they are in no way inferior to those acts, and will make the cervical vertebrae of many a headbanger experience anxious days.
Finally, we have Gotmoor, for some time now a little better known among blackmetallers. This Belgian act tackles hateful black metal a bit more melodically than the average band on this CD. The frequent keyboards build the atmosphere and the raw vocals and fast drums make a stark contrast to those gently played keyboards and the murmuring guitars. Also highly recommended!
With this, ISO666 shows that it is a label to be reckoned with, and that it has a lot to look forward to. A nice thing is that this CD is available for free. Only the shipping costs are yours. Only USD 3/ EUR 3 to ISO666’s address.
