Covenant - In Times Before the Light

Covenant used to be good. No really, they did. Before they changed their name to The Kovenant and went all electro on us, they released "In Times Before The Light," their debut album. This was in 1996 and at the time Nagash's more known project Dimmu Borgir was still relevant, and black metal from Norway was still more good than bad. This album featured just two members, Nagash of Dimmu Borgir, and another dude from Troll.

After this album they got some more members, like some guy named Hellhammer, some chick named Sarah Jezebel Deva, and some piano tinkler named Sverd, and made a supergroup of sorts and released "Nexus Polaris." I will admit that I liked that album quite a bit, but it has never been the same since this first album.

Of course after their sophomore record, they changed their name, went electro goth, and started to be completely horrible. Then, they did the unthinkable and and remixed and re-recorded "In Times Before The Light" to match their new style. Utterly gross and unnecessary. Why sully your previous work? ugh...

Anyway, here is their debut album, a lost gem.

More info HERE and download HERE

Seigmen - Radio Waves

This is an amazing Norwegian rock record from the little known Seigmen. I was turned on to them by Mauro Berchi of Eibon Records and Canaan. It is sublimely melodic, with hints of electronica, and very soulful. Some of my friends like their other work, but this, their last studio album released in 1997, is the only album Seigmen recorded that I like, and I love this album.

After Seigmen's break up, there has some been some activity with a reunion, but not much since. Some of the members went on to form the awful stomach churning Zeromancer. Not much more to say about this album, other than it is definitely worth a listen.

More info HERE and download HERE

Aphrodisiac - Nonsense Chamber

This album was released in 1997 on the legendary Elfenblut/Misanthropy Record label. The band consisted of Svein Egil Hatlevik of Fleurety, Dodheimsgard, and many others, as well as Vicotnik of Ved Buens Ende.

When this album was released, it opened doors to me. It showed me realms of sound I knew little about, but was hungry to explore. One day I sat in my apartment and did nothing else but listen to this album on repeat, like reading a sentence over and over, striving to glean what meaning you can from it. Later that day a friend dropped by and when he asked me why someone would take the time to make such a noise and record it to CD, my only response was "I don't know."

Now many years later, I still hold this album close to my heart.

Download HERE and info HERE

Naervaer - Skiftninger

Naervaer is a little known dark folk, experimental strange band from Norway.  Featuring members of In The Woods, Green Carnation, Antarctica and a host of others.  This is their debut and only full length to date which was released in 2001.  

I do not have much to say about this, except that it truly is a must listen.  More info on the band HERE and download the damn thing HERE.