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Bestial Summoning / Heretic – Splitting Skulls For Satan [Split]

bestial summoning / heretic – splitting skulls for satan [split]

Info

The Dutch underground black metal scene, as with any other country, has had its ups and downs over the last two decades. Some bands seems to be forgotten, others got their ‘cult’ status (by releasing obscure (demo)tapes only or by releasing albums of sheer quality but never got the recognition they deserved) – or, in most cases, are a combination of both. Two of those bands are Bestial Summoning and Heretic. Though the first already split up in the first half of the 90’s and the latter one still active, this makes a good example of the Dutch black metal underground.

For the Bestial Summoning side of this LP they unearthed quite some obscure tracks that date from before their only-album-release in 1992. A rehearsal, recorded in October 1991, that should show the ‘true’ side of the band, in its full glory – at least, that’s what the inlay says. In fact, these tracks are raw and harsh sounding rough versions of songs that appeared on the bands’ demos (in 1990 and later in 1992). Not quite essential but very much a great historical musical document if you like your black metal the way it was made ‘back in the days’. It shows that Holland had actually something to offer for those who were getting into that scene dominated by the likes of Sarcophago, Blasphemy and Mayhem.
Heretic, on the other hand, is one of the later generations but playing an even older kind of black metal than Bestial Summoning. Dominated by a rather swinging rock ‘n’ roll vibe this is not what the purist would call ‘true black metal’ and that is the reason why this band is one of the most infamous of the Dutch underground. The simplistic and primitive sound of the “Black Metal Holocaust”-abum is a bit more polished on these recent recordings of older tracks that appeared on several of the bands’ earlier releases. Most people are not familiar with this band for obvious reasons, their stuff was never widely available (even released on and spread through by the highly infamous Berzerker Records, whose owner got incarcerated for dealing in neo-nazi objects and propaganda). But these days a few more reliable labels got their hands on this bands’ recordings, Kneel Before The Masters Throne Records gave the aforementioned album a re-release that was well deserved. A band that you either love or hate, there is not much else in between, no other options.

This release is done by the highly respected German Deathstrike Records, that’s been around for years already and brought several amazing records and bands and run by a member of Front Beast, Angel Of Damnation and Nocturnal. And in the true underground spirit, this release is quite a nice one – though not as noble as the ones from Hells Headbanger or Kneel Before The Masters Throne for instance, still worth the few bucks its cost. For collectors: this exists in a run of clear vinyl (100 copies) and in black (vinyl). And, for those are more into CD’s, its also available on CD. Let’s Split Some Skulls For Satan!

Bestial Summoning

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