Description
THE DEBUT STUDIO ALBUM FROM THE NEWLY REFORMED NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL LEGENDS COMPRISING MEMBERS OF ARCTURUS, THORNS, MAYHEM & 1349.
Before Arcturus there was Mortem. Bringing together members of Arcturus, Mayhem, Thorns, & 1349 for a masterwork of eerie black metal, 2019's 'Ravnsvart' marked the studio debut from these true legends of the Norwegian metal scene.
When one looks back at the bloodstained history of black metal, the names are as familiar as those of old friends - Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone. But in the shadows lurked another prime purveyor of northern darkness. Formed by Marius Vold & Steinar Sverd Johnsen in 1989, Mortem was one of the first black metal bands to crawl out of the woodwork in Norway, releasing the highly coveted & brutal 'Slow Death' demo, with Euronymous & Dead of Mayhem acting as producer & cover artist respectively. After the release of 'Slow Death', the band was laid to rest with members going on to form & feature in acclaimed titans such as Arcturus & Thorns, both of which would become mainstays in the black metal scene & beyond.
In a moment of nostalgia & a desire for something more brutal beyond the current vessel of Arcturus, the corpse of Mortem was revived, & the unholy duo of Marius & Steinar joined forces once more. And so, the long-awaited album, titled 'Ravnsvart', was brought to the world, possessing the same raw brutality & spirit as the original incarnation, plus fresh elements uniquely woven into the fabric of the early sounds of Scandinavian black metal, & crafted into a masterpiece of sinister horror. Joining the duo is Hellhammer from the legendary Mayhem on drums, plus Tor Stavenes of 1349/Svart Lotus on bass.
'Ravnsvart' was followed up by a full reimagining & re-recording of the classic 'Slow Death' demo tracks, also including a cover of the Mayhem classic, 'Funeral Fog'.
This CD edition of 'Ravnsvart' is presented in jewel case packaging complete with a 12-page booklet.