What I'm holding in my hand right now is the debut album of the Canadian viking/pagan metal band Bloodaxe.  The album starts with a good intro W.O.T.A.N. and after that the brutal hateful and quite chaotic music starts.  There are some very good melodies and riffs standing out in the chaotic music, the drums are fast and crushing but not too technical and the vocals are very hateful.  The production is good, not too clear but powerful.  Sometimes the vocals disappear behind the music a bit but otherwise there's nothing to complain about.  There are two short acoustic tracks Treskjaereren and Morgendis, both of them done in typical pagan way.  It's always good to hear tracks like these two on a album like this because it makes the album a lot more interesting. 1030 is a slow and heavy instrumental track and the last track Trondskogen  is a very dark piano track.  This is a very good album, it takes a while before you really get into it and the band has it's own style, they definitely stand out from the never ending mass of pagan metal bands.  The music is filled with nordic spirit and pride of the bands Norwegian roots.  The album is quite short although it has ten tracks, but I hope we will hear more music form band in the future.  Bloodthrone is a unique album and more than worth checking out if you have any interest in this kind of music.

4/5
P. Catini
Night of Unholy Black metal (Finland)

Emotional, heavy & dark.  I guess you could call it Canadian viking metal.  The lyrics deal with viking mythos as mainman Nordavinden, a Canadian is of direct Norwegian descent.  The music bathes you, black fuzzy guitar waves, distant war drums and vocals that give off a black metallish aura.  Interesting.

Dale Roy
Canadian Assault (Canada/U.S.A)

Ach Du heilige Scheiße, ich glaube fast, ich werde von einem Gaule mit den Hufen liebkost. Bloodaxe geben selsbt dem Teufel Zunder, wie man meinen könnte. Eine infernalischere Blackmetalscheibe habe ich wohl noch nie gehört, allerdings sind Bloodaxe schon teilweise hart an der Grenze zum völligen Irrsinn. Im Auto konnte ich diese CD nicht lange ertragen, da der völlig kaputte Rauschesound zuviel für meine Boxen und Nerven war, außerdem halt noch die Songs so sehr verzerrte, daß man kaum mehr etwas außer einem Sirren und Sausen vernehmen konnte. Daheim habe ich den Kampf mit diesem schwierigen Stück Ultraspeedgetrümmeres nochmals aufgenommen und ich bin irgendwie schon froh, daß diese CD nur 27 Minuten dauert. Auf einer guten Anlage ist die Musik gut herausfilterbar, dürfte den unbedarften Nichtfan von schwarzmalerischem Höllenmetal jedoch augenblicklich in den Suizig treiben. Bloodaxe wollen es den Leuten gar nicht einfach machen. Sperrige Klangbomben knallen nahezu ununterbrochen auf einen nieder, verbreiten dabei eine emotionale Eiseskälte, wie sie kaum ein zweites Mal gespürt worden ist und zehren an der ohnehin schon vom Alltagsstreß zerschundenen Seele. Einige akustische Gitarrenspielereien und ein etwas langsamerer Track (für mich auch das Highlight, da er schön furios rockt) sorgen da für ein wenig Zeit zum Luftholen. Diese Musik, das ist unbeschreiblich. Blasphemy und Bestial Summoning waren krankhaft primitiv, haben sich aber wenigstens noch halbwegs an Songstrukturen gehalten. Die im ersten Moment schon fast zusammenhangslos wirkenden Lärmorgien des Norwegers und seines kanadischen Drummers hingegen setzen sich über derlei Regelwerk hinweg und treiben ihr bitterböses Spiel mit der Psyche der Hörer. Ja, diese CD ist krank. Dagegen wirken solche Bands wie Darkthrone absolut mainstreamig. Ob das nun true ist? Oder kultig? Oder einfach nur ein großer Haufen Scheiße? Ich bin völlig überfragt. Mein Verstand beginnt langsam aber sicher zu schwinden und hinterläßt einen menschlichen Scherbenhaufen. Gerade deswegen mag ich diese CD irgendwie. Mit normalen musikalischen Maßstäben ist den beiden Wichten also nicht zu kommen, oder? Nach anfänglicher Skepsis hat sich mein Gehör schon so sehr an die klangliche Todeskälte gewöhnt, daß ich das Vorhandensein verschiedener Melodien verspüre. Wenn der Sound nur etwas besser wäre, Bloodaxe würden Setherial und In Battle wegblasen, ihre Songs erinnern mich stark an diese Schwedischen Abrißkommandos. Nur daß sie noch mehr dem puren Chaos zusprechen. Wie benotet man diese CD nun? 6,66 satanische Punkte und eine Empfehlung an die kränksten aller Kranken sich unter Bloodaxe@odin.zzn.com nach dem Preis für diese audiophile Vergeltungswaffe zu fragen! Und jetzt will ich hier verfickt noch eins raus!

6.66 Punkte Sascha Maurer

Metal Coven (Germany)

BLOODAXE - "Bloodthrone"
self-released
Rating: 7/10

BLOODAXE is a duet based in Ontario, Canada. However, Nordavinden, BLOODAXE frontman, has got Norwegian roots. Obviously, all lyrics are focused upon Norse mythology and history. Although Nordavinden claims he hasn't even listened to ENSLAVED, I still believe that this debut album is greatly influenced by Ivar's creations. Musically, "Bloodthrone" represents an extremely harsh form of Black Metal, mostly fast-paced, with a very humid guitar sound. I believe that all late ENSLAVED and IMMORTAL fans shall dig this out. If you are interested, get your CD here: WhiteLegends@Odin.zzn.com

(Krasniy; 19.08.2001)

Fortitude (Moldova)

What would you think when seeing a booklet with runes and song titles such as "W.O.T.A.N", "Runemaster", "Within the walls of Eljudnir"... yes indeed: Viking Metal.  I thought to get some wussy music with tons of folk,... Well I was pleasantly suprised.  From the first song off I was blasted away.  What a great power this CD radiates!  The drummer jumps with ease from the slowest to the most furious speeds.  Many Black Metal drummers can learn from this one.  And it still has an underground production.  The songs are mostly separated by an acoustic or some kind of piano - intermezzo.  Very good release and brutal as hell.

Bolthorn

Bloodaxe magazine (Belgium)

Bloodaxe is,  much to my surprise,  a band hailing from Thunder Bay in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, and so is the band's label, White Legends Records.  I wasn't  expecting  any metal to come out of there, and even less expected was the Black Metal genre (although to some extent there's some flirting with Viking/pagan Metal.)  The band's leader is in fact a Norwegian-Canadian so that explains a few things right there.  A musical base comparison would be the early 90's BM scene, in the likes of Darkthrone, whose coldness, grim atmosphere and raw metal Bloodaxe seems to have found inspiration in.   Beside a couple of acoustic intro/outro tracks that carry an uneasy feeling of grim solitude, the music here is overall pretty fast-paced, although there are a couple of much slower songs that I found to have an even darker mood to them, while the faster stuff depicts a much angrier, aggressive or even destructive feeling coming from the band.  Ok it may seem like I'm stating the obvious here, but this is  simply to emphasize the fact that those guys have got it right - it's not every BM band out there that succeed in really making their feelings flow into the listener through their music, but Bloodaxe is I think one of those few.  The vocals are pretty low in the mix and while some may see it as a production problem (...) for my part I think it just adds to the overall cold atmosphere of this album.

4.25/5

Michel Renaud

Metal Crypt (Canada)

BLOODAXE - "Bloodthrone"

"Bloodaxe - The Bloodthrone is a masterpiece of fucking elite black Viking war metal supremacy and devastation!  Hailing from the shores of Vinland, the true Beserkr speed and blinding intensity interspersed with the moments of calm in the eye of the storm, in addition to the cold, surgical musicianship wielded by these Norsemen make this release one of the best ever of not only the Vinlandic scene, but of the whole black/Viking metal genre."

Grymyrk/Pagan Calvary (Canada)

BLOODAXE "Bloodthrone"
White Legends
3/6

"Bloodthrone features ten songs of a 27 minute running time, whilst stylistically ... of course, it couldn't be anything else but harsh black metal.  If you think IMMORTAL's "Pure Holocaust" once raped your delicate ears, you'd better don't even try to give this one a listen.  It won't just rape, but slaughter you, cowardly sheep!  While I appreciate "Bloodthrone" for being such a merciless assault I must admit that, sadly enough, it's way beyond chaotic - and it's not what I appreciate.  Chaotic, simplistic, and somewhat even senseless at times."

Vae Solis (Russia)

BLOODAXE
Bloodthrone
White legends
6.5

This Canadian band got together in the middle of 2000 and after three weeks of jamming they already recorded their first demo. At the beginning of January 2001, seven months after the birth of the band they went into to studio again to record this album. This ten track album is not even 30 minutes long and holds some blasphemous black metal. The band is not the kind of black metal band that fiddles around to put layers of keyboards in their compositions. They simply blast out their music as brutal as possible. I am personally not a fan of this ultra brutal raw hateful black metal but I know a lot of people who will like this disk. So if you are into blasting black metal get in touch with Bloodaxe and I am sure they will be more than happy to let you know how you can get a copy of this album. Email

Undertow

(Belgium)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone
White Legends, 2001
8/10

Hailing from possibly the most un-black metal place around, Thunder Bay, Canada, Bloodaxe is a 2-piece project in the vein of old Emperor, Marduk, Kult Ov Azazel etc. Walls of sinister riffs and snarling vocals swirl about a blasting snare drum and varied percussion to carry the tales of violence, hatred, war and death. Aside from the drums, Norwegian-Canadian and founder of Bloodaxe Nordavinden is responsible for all the instruments and vocals, which often remind me of Belphegor in both delivery and tone. Brief instrumentals like "Treskjaereren" are the only mercy given to you by the band, who then jump right back into the slaughter with the furore of "Drowning in Mimir's Well", one of many songs steeped in the rich Scandinavian cultural heritage of Nordavinden. As the band was only together for 7 months prior to this recording, expect even more destruction and fierce pride from Bloodaxe on the next album, which is not too far off according to their interesting website, www.bloodaxe.net A great independent black metal outfit without the silliness of many of their counterparts.

Tartarean Desire (Sweden)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone CD on White Legends Rec.

Vocals: High, raspy screams
Drums: Fast as Hell
Guitars: Fast / melodic
Technicality : 3 / 6

Comments : Fast, non - stop, in your face Black Metal!!!  Lot's of Power.  A must for any Black Metal fan!!!

Brutality Rating : BRUT

Sevared ' zine issue #4 (U.S.A)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone (2001) White Legends

Though the Vikings  have long since abandoned Vinlandic shores, their blood runs true and strong still in these harsh lands.   Such an example of this is the einherjer named Nordavinden and the longship he commands: Bloodaxe.  No woodnymphs frolicking in the forest here, just full out bloodlusted heathen attacks upon christian settlements with pillage and plunder are the order of battle upon this cd.  A grim but fully listenable clarity is granted here, leaving the spirit of the listener frozen within it's icy grip, feeling the crisp sea breeze on the face, the spray of salt water upon the decks, the taste of blood and mead mixed upon the lips, and of victorious battles past in the swirling mists that surround.

Godless (Australia)

BLOODAXE - "Bloodthrone" ( White Legends)

A powerful Black/Heathen Metal project courtesy of main man Nordavinden, who is of proud Norwegian/Canadian descent.  Nordavinden (who sings and plays acoustic/electric guitar, piano and bass) along with drummer Rati have released their debut 10 track effort, and it is certainly a strong and forceful statement for the future.  BLOODAXE brings to mind perhaps the earlier works of such epic Norwegian acts such as ENSLAVED or HADES, but mixes it up with a gritty, raw atmosphere as well.  The end result is one that seems very professional and talented for a band still so young (formed in May 2000), and I wouldn't doubt if we heard more from the True Northern duo in the near future.  In the meantime contact Nordavinden (this CD is $15 post paid) at ... Suite #15 936 Tungsten Street Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada.  P7B 5Z6 whitelegends@Odin.zzn.com

Unhallowed (U.S.A)

Bloodaxe --- Bloodthrone --- 2001 Review by Thingy

Coming from Northern Ontario, Canada, Bloodaxe are a intense black metal band with Norwegian Black Metal roots.  This release clocks in at just 26 minutes.  It is very extreme, straight - ahead blackness.  All - out speed and vocals of screams and growls.  Hard to tell some of the songs apart as they just keep slamming through them.  This two - piece slows down in the middle with an acoustic guitar cut and later on throw in a few more instrumentals that are slow, but heavy.  The instrumental 1030 sounds inspired by Sabbath.  Cd ends with a instrumental piano track to be playing at midnight in the cemetary with that special someone.  Fans of Immortal type of metal will like this.   I would like to hear some more tempo changes mixed within, make it a little easier to listen to.

The Pit Magazine (Canada)

Bloodaxe-Bloodthrone - CD

A CD like this gives me hope for the black metal scene, it proves not everyone is wimping out!  Unrelenting blast beats in the Nordic vein but with more of an emphasis on heavier more emotional guitar riffs.  Bloodaxe are hatefully convincing and a real slap in the face to what most bands and labels are passing off as black metal these days.  I can't tell ya what a pleasure it is to associate the word "extreme" with a black metal band, hasn't happened with me in a long time.

Mental Funeral #4 (U.S.A.)

BLOODAXE - BLOOD THRONE (10 song CD) WHITE LEGENDS (Available through BEOWOLF PRODUCTIONS)

BLOODAXE play some very fast paced raw Black Metal out of Canada.  The music has a very strong hatred like style in the sound. The music is done in a very raw old school meets new school Black Metal style.  The vocals are a harsh mid to higher pitched Death growl.  There are some breakdowns slower parts as well as some more atmospheric parts.  An all around well diverse Black Metal band!!! - SUITE #15 / 936 TUNGSTEN ST / THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO / CANADA P7B 5Z6

Beowolf Productions (U.S.A.)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone
White Legends

Bloodaxe is a band from Thunder Bay , Ontario, Canada.  Where exactly is that?  Well, Thunder Bay could be considered the equivalent to certain northern regions of Norway as far as weather goes.  So here we have what some have termed Canadian Viking Metal.  The main person behind this band is a man named Nordavinden, who has Nordic heritage and pride in his background, hence the Nordic themes in his music.

This isn't typical Viking Metal though, there are not a lot of folk elements for example, instead this is raw, brutal, and fast Black Metal with Viking themes in the lyrics and some folk passages used as short interludes in between songs.  There isn't one band that I can point to give an idea of what Bloodaxe sound like, but the closest would be Enslaved, although Bloodaxe is very far from being an Enslaved clone.  Every non - instrumental song is very fast with almost non - stop blast beats, mixed with fills and breaks every now and then, and heavily distorted Black Metal riffing that produces some interesting melodies, which are barely audible under the brutality and noise created by Bloodaxe, which in turn gives off an unique atmosphere.  The vocals are not done in a typical Black Metal style, they tend to be somewhat intermittent and have varying tones.  You can't really hear them that well due to the production, which is one of my only complaints, because they do sound perfect for the music being played.  A lot of bands like this, that contain one main person doing pretty much everything, fall into the habit of using a drum machine for their percussion work - Vintersorg and Odhinn come to mind first.  Thankfully, Nordavinden was smart and uses Rati as his session drummer - a very wise choice.

As mentioned, there are quite a few instrumentals on here.  Two of them are about 1 minute long acoustic tracks, which are well played, then the others use various sounds to create yet again, unique, bleak sounding atmospheres, especially 1030, which is like a regular Bloodaxe song, minus the vocals, but the real difference is that the song is mid - paced.  The best of the regular tracks are Within the Walls of Eljudnir and Drowning in Mimir's Well, which in my opinion contain the best use of the Black Metal melodies.  The music being played is not the most technical, but it is damn fast and precise.

Overall I enjoyed Bloodthrone for what it's worth, i.e. a largely independent release with little production values and a short length (nothing wrong with that with a band like this).  Obviously, for a relatively unknown label like White Legends, the production won't be perfect and it isn't, even for a Raw Black Metal band, but it is not bad either, far from it.  The main thing about this release though, is that Bloodaxe did some interesting work with the acoustic songs and the mid - paced instrumental.  I can't help wonder if including sections like these in the actual full- out songs would be beneficial, further adding to the potential and possibilities within the unique and blistering atmosphere already created by Bloodaxe.  This release won't be for everyone, only Raw Black Metal fans should apply, but chances are you'll enjoy it if you're into this style of Brutal Black Metal.  If you want to know more about the band go to their official page, where you can easily purchase their release for a good price and download some MP3's to get an idea of what it sounds like.  As for me, I'm looking forward for their next release, Raping the Ancient, which I believe will be out in 2003.

Killing songs:  Runemaster, Within the Walls of Eljudnir, Drowning in Mimir's Well, Old One in the Ironwood

Metal Reviews (International)

Crims 75/100

Bloodaxe >>Bloodthrone 4/6

True Black Metal never dies.  Fortunately, this time "true black metal" isn't in the worse sense.  Bloodaxe can be considered as a sort of solo - project, being all the songs composed by one guy named Nordavinden, and played by the same guy, except drums played by a session Rati.  The band hails from Canada, even if the mastermind involved in the project seems to be linked in some way with Norway.  Lyrically this is also obvious with lyrics dealing with Viking mythology's subjects, with some also written in Norwegian language.  With the ten songs featured on this album, Bloodaxe propose raw and true-to-the-core black metal with an ability to play.  No keyboards, no female voices, no flutes or whatever alike.  Just plain brutality - but well thought out brutality.  Hellishly fast- paced, relentless black metal the Immortal way (Battles in the North" - era), so if you like the Norwegian band and regret the sound and attitude you'll like this effort.

Tragenda (Italy)

Bloodaxe "Bloodthrone"

This is the first Canadian band that I ever heard playing Black Metal.  The reason is that I don't following American music or that Bloodaxe is the only one Black Metal band.  This band is only from two members Rati (drums) and Nordavinden, which by the way plays with all other instruments (bass, acoustic, electric guitar, piano) takes a vocal part.  For me Bloodaxe reminds Immortal, but a bit more melodic.  But vocal is the same.  Whole album contains 10 songs and three of them are instrumental.  Two of them are played with acoustic guitar, and one which by the way is played the last in the CD is played by piano.  Cover art work is not high quality .  Paintings are like in Nordic mythology.  If you want to contact Bloodaxe you can write at bloodaxe@Odin.zzn.com

Sacred Angel (Lithuania)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone (CD - White Legends - 2001 ; 10 titres - 26 min)

Du true black métal et voilà il suffit d'écrire çà et fini mma chronique... au suivant. Effectivement comme on peut dire que O3 est un zine presque parfait autant on peut écrire que le black métal de Bloodaxe est presque sand fioritures. C'est rapide, haineux et avec un son ...euh ...black. N'empêches que pendant ce temps c'est leur 2eme opus et même le chat de mes potes et son miaulement strident et presque amical il en a pas fait autant. A réserver aux fans de vrai (true en anglais) black métal, pour les autres allez voir les autres chroniques ou bien achetez un cd de Karnal.

c/o White Legends, suite 15, 936 Tungsten Street, Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario, P7B 5Z6 - Canada
bloodaxe@Odin.zzn.com - www.bloodaxe.net

Metal Land (France)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone (White Legends 2001)

En solid mur af kold og ondskabsfuldt black metal rejser sig fra højtalerne, så snart introen 'W.O.T.A.N.' er overstået.  Herefter er der had, had og atter had på programmet.  Bloodaxe leverer galde i lange baner på en fed og interessant måde.

Stilen har karakteristika fra både den kolde og dunkle nordiske scene og fra den kaotiske og overbrutale candiske, så at sige det bedste fra dem begge.  Guitarriffene skærer koldt i ørene, trommerne blaster af sted og vokalen rejser sig grum som Midgårdsormen.

Der en intet nyt over Bloodaxe's musik, men brutalitet og intensitet er i højsædet og på det punkt er der ikke mange der overgår det canadiske band.  Der er også mange fede breaks, både med guitaren som højdepunkteet men til dels også hvor session drummer Rati viser sin kunnen.

Hæsblæsende møgbrutalt black metal, sådan kan jeg sgu lide at høre det.  Nordavinden har formået at få skruet nogle holdbare numre sammen, som helt sikkert ville kunne give genlyd i scenen.  Dog falder de klassike guitarnumre 'Treskjæreren' og 'Morgendis' lidt ved siden at resten af skiven.  De giver et velfortjent pusterum, men virker malplaceret.  Canadian Black Metal Supremacy, jeg glæder mig sgu den næste skive!

8/10

Nocturnal Horde (Denmark)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone (White Legends 2001)

A solid wall of cold and evil black metal is raising from the speakers, as soon as the intro "W.O.T.A.N" has ended.   After this we do have hate, hate and even more hate on the program.  Bloodaxe are delivering bile, lots of bile, but in a great and interesting way.  The style which Bloodaxe are delivering has characteristics from both traditional Nordic black metal and from the utterly brutal Canadian ditto.  The  guitar riffs are cold and cutting.  The drums are blasting their way through granite, and the vocals are raising grim and big as the world serpent.  There is nothing new in the music of Bloodaxe, but the brutality and intensity are the two main things.  And on this point, not many are better then the Canadians.  There are many great breaks, both with the guitar as the highpoint.  But session drummer Rati, is also showing what he is made of.   Breathless brutal as hell black metal, just the way I like it.   Nordavinden has made some really lasting compositions.  And they should make some noise within the scene.  Though the classical guitar tracks "Treskjæreren" and "Morgendis" are a bit out of context.  They give you your breath back, but seem a bit ill - timed.  This is pure Canadian Black Metal Supremacy, I am looking forward to the next album!

8/10

Nocturnal Horde (Denmark)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone

From Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, comes this seething Black Metal attack brought forth by Norwegian descendant, Nordavinden, who handels all vox, guitars and piano (on the piano only closer, "Trondskogen") ; teaming up with session drummer, Rati, who lends his blasts and overall greatness to Nordavinden's mid -era Immortal (i.e. Battles in the North) - style all - out chaos, interrupted a few times with tasteful, brief acoustic instrumentals.  This is music to destroy the world by.  Complete aural vision of war and death.  An intense urgency, broken up with a few ideas of stop/start pauses, is present, along with the mildly obscured rhythmic patterns that bring to mind the truest of circumstantial Black Metal.  (The only musical form capable of bringing this dark, violent expression to the fore.)  The thickness of guitar tone adds to the dark and hateful aura, and drums are a crystal clean, untriggered battery.  Clocking in at under 30 minutes, the only complaint is the brevity of this and the delay of their upcoming release Raping the Ancient, also to be released through White Legends.

Hail Metal (Canada)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone (White Legends 2001)  Furious Viking Metal

Furious and chaotic Viking Metal somewhat in the vein of Immortal and early Enslaved.  Now when I say "Viking Metal " I'm not implying the ridiculous happy sound that many of us have come to shrug off as hopelessly missing the point - this is a fucking furious heathen assault by none other than Nordavinden, who is currently under extreme survelliance from the Thunder Bay Police for "crimes against humanity" (is it a coincidence that Thunder Bay is Canada's most aggressive city?).  Bloodthrone has got to have the thickest guitar sound I've ever heard (messier then Batttles in the North), and I find that the bass tends to create a muddy wall of fuzzy distortion under which Nordavinden's axe assaults your ears; because of this, distinguishing the riffs is sometimes difficult,  Nordavinden's vocals are somewhat reminiscent of Ihshan's "new" style and are buried underneath the guitars, but I do not mean this to be a derogatory statement.  Drumming isn't really anything special but effective nonetheless.  Two short acoustic pieces also make their way onto this disc, and they remind me a bit of Enslaved, though I think Nordavinden has his own style here.  The intro and outro also have an Enslaved - ish touch, but I really see them as the weak point of the disc - too much noodling around with instruments for too long a span of time to be truly interesting.

Choice tracks:  Within in the Wall's of Eljudnir, Drowning in Mimir's Well, Runemaster, Oldone in the Ironwood and 1030 (great distorted arpeggio!).

On a final note, one might find the liner notes to be a little amusing.  Nordavinden accuses the Canadian government  for not giving the Norse settlers of the northeastern areas of Canada (that would be Newfoundland and Labrador for those not in the know) the proper recognition and a day to call their own in his "Bullets to the Head" tribute.

Violence is the Answer!
Decimator (Germany)

Bloodaxe - Bloodthrone

(White Legends)

Some bands are so absolute with their sound and the genre they've selected to play that despise everything new and "alienated" from the musical style they serve.  I think that BLOODAXE belong pretty much to this category.  Thier monolithical heathen and barbaric metal, can't give nay space to progressive experimentations as other Black Metal bands do.  They have the "frosted" riffs of IMMORTAL from the "Blizzard Beasts" album, the dark monotony of DARKTHRONE and the epical moments of BATHORY.  All the elements guarantee that classic Black Metallers will enjoy the CD as much much as that can get!  The production of the album has weak points, cause the band had to confront many problems at the time.  On the other hand the production makes the album sound like the first releases of MAYHEM and IMMORTAL which instantly gives it a cult value and transforms it into an obscure release.  I think that friends of classic Norwegian Black Metal to check this album  For the rest who believe that the most extreme Black Metal bands are DIMMU BORGIR and CRADLE OF FILTH (which I respect both as bands), is better not to touch this album.  Favorite tracks:  "Drowning in Mimir's Well, Old One in the Ironwood" and "Morgendis".

*7/10

Behind the Veil (Greece)

BLOODAXE - Bloodthrone
2001
White Legends
Canadian Black

AAAAAARRRGHHHHH!!!! TRATATATATATATAAAAA!!!!! AAAAARGHHH!!!! FUUUUUUCK!!!!! AAAAARGHHH!!!! DEEEAAATHHHH!!!! EEEEEEVILLLLL!!!! AAAAA!!!! TRAAATATATATA!!!!!! Fucking A! :) Then again, you know what? Take you fucking skepticism and stick it where the sun never shines, me dear Troll, Mjollnir up yer arse! Wanna know why? Because despite the horrible recording quality and the apparent primitivism of the music, there's still that certain something about these Canadian lads… well, sincerity, if nothing else. And no matter how little originality you may or may not find here, it still sounds quite good. Indeed, they may be way too much on the orthodox side, but then again, orthodoxy in black metal is quite usual, and not entirely wrong, my dear. True, this Ontario-based couple may well be a bit too naive, in many ways funny, but there is this primeval strength about them which one cannot but respect.

4/5

Metalkings (Russia)