IN ROTATION: Our most played albums in MAY 2019

MY MOST PLAYED LIST MAY 2019

May in Norway is supposed to be “spring” it varied from 20+ degrees to below 0. The variations shine through in my top 5 this month, dark & cold meets twisted & hot? Maybe variations are stretching it a bit, it`s all metal and in the “extreme” end of the Metal “Spectrum”.

TOP 5 (In no particular order):

KAMPFAR – “Ofidians Manifest” 2019 (Norway)

After receiving a Norwegian “Grammy” for their 2015 album “Profan”, everything looked bright for the band. That would not be case, health and other private challenges threatened the entire future of the band. After complete silence (internal and external) for more than a year, the members reunited in the mountains of Hemsedal in fall 2018. Determined to not release an album if it wasn`t better their 8 previous albums. And now it is here, a modern classic true to the band`s roots but fearless of breaking boundaries 25 years into their career. This is topping their great “Profan” album, and that is not an easy task.

VLTIMAS – “Something wicked marches in” 2019 (USA/Canada/Norway)

“Supergroups” are often hit or miss, a team of highly skilled members doesn`t always make gold. That is not the case here, Rune “Blasphemer” Eriksen teamed up with David Vincent and Flo Mounier and struck a nerve with this listener. This is massive stuff; their Death Metal with a Blackened twist is hopefully just the start of what might be career defining for all the members. It sure is wicked and the march has just started?

HELLRIPPER – Complete and Total Fucking Mayhem 2016 (Scotland)

Hellripper is a band who showed up on my radar about 6 months ago, been delving into the older parts of their discography and this compilation of old track from various releases rips big time, old school never dies!

BURZUM – In the Arms of Darkness 2019 (Norway)

Not an album, but the definitive collection of BURZUM. From the earliest demo’s to his last album, 15 tapes from this controversial musician in one package. Artistically this is a rollercoaster ride; highs and lows and twists… 

INCULTER – Fatal Visions 2019 (Norway)

Thrash Metal from Fusa, still not bored with this one. Been spinning this almost daily, their best album to date and a contender for my favorite Thrash album of the year.  

Please read my review of “Fatal Visions” here

Harald