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Black Funeral
Discography
"ORDOG"
CD BEHEMOTH PRODUCTIONS BEH08 - ITALY 2006
Track
Listing:
1.
Hymn to Ahriman
2. Ordog
3. Mummu Chaos
4. Of Ravening Wolves
5. The Chain
6. Deathless and Eternal
7. Abyssic Doctrine
8. Unclean Spirit
9. Ode to Pazuzu
10. Lilitu
The
leading US black metal band is going to strike again with its
new album, absolutely the most hypnotic, alienating and gruesome
up to date! BLACK FUNERAL return with their apocalyptic visions
and sonorities, a ceremony of madness made by discordant string
instruments, ritualistic and diabolical textures, profane noise
and inhuman voices! ORDOG is an impressive industrialized machinery
of Death, Satanism and Persian Mythology. Harshness is combined
to ancient rituals to celebrate the new age of infernal bliss.
Featuring two songs lyrically written by the formally incarcarated
cannibal/killer/artist Nico Claux. This is the most violent and
extreme album Black Funeral recorded thus far! Destructive, occult
and Hellish Black Metal Art. Worship Darkness! Blending traditional
cold black metal with machine like aggression, Black Funeral is
an epitome for the Iron Age, the Kali Yuga. “Az-i-Dahak” is the
comeback CD of Black Funeral as a concept of ancient Persian black
magic and vampirism. The essence and concept of Black Funeral
is the Satanic soul, the dragon – beast within man, war, chaos
and willed order. Black Funeral is a long study of the shadowside
of human nature.
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"Vampyr
- Throne of the Beast" DRAKKAR PRODUCTIONS DKCD037 (France)
1,000 copies limited - deluxe digi pack.
Track
Listing:
1.
Ex Sanguini Draculae
2.
The Floating Blue Witchlight
3.
Valley of the Shadow
4.
Spectral Agony of Pain and Loneliness
5.
Vampyr - Throne of the Beast
6.
Spirit of the Werewolf
7.
Rising from a Dishonored Grave
8.
Of Dark and Crimson Spheres
BONUS
TRACKS - Recorded exclusive for this re-issues 2005.
9.
1476
10.
Moyset, of the Left Hand I shall Kiss
11.
May the Black Earth Spew thee up
12.
Varulv
13.
Srobar - Bathed in Violence
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"Az-i-Dahak"
CD (Behemoth Productions) 2004
01. Druj Nasu (mp3)
02. Daevodata
03. Az-i-Dahak (awake)
04. Dahak (Serpent Arise) (mp3)
05. Eye of Arashk
06. Kiss of Serpents
07. Sutekh (Chaos)
08. Astovihad
09. The Fallen Arise
Black Funeral returns with their new CD, “Az-i-Dahak”, being the first
full length recording since 1996. “Az-i-Dahak” is a strong resurrection
of the 1990’s American cult black metal band, known for extreme
attitudes and destructive music. The founder of Black Funeral, Michael
Ford, known as Akhtya Nachttoter, occupied his time in the upcoming dark
elektro industrial band Psychonaut 75 and the medieval ritualistic group
Hexentanz. Although Black Funeral has been somewhat dormant for several
years, Ford considered that he would return to black metal if he could
contribute something powerful to it. “As we had along with our colleges,
Acheron, Von, Demoncy, Absu and others led the American Black Metal
scene in the early 1990’s, I had the challenge of not simply revising
and rehashing black metal, but to bring some different twist to it,
without losing the brutality and cold deathlike feeling. Considering
that it has indeed been 10 years since Black Funeral began, I wanted a
strong awakening of the band.”
The new CD “Az-i-Dahak” is a concept of ancient
Persian Satanic or Ahriman – worship,
pre-Christian themes which actually influenced
Christian theory. Az-i-Dahak is the name of a
mythological Assyrian king who was said to have
made a pact with Ahriman, who was kissed upon
the shoulders by Satan and spawned two black
serpents. These snakes ate the brains of humans,
and Zohak or Azi Dahaka slowly became known as
the “Fiendish Snake” or “Storm Fiend”. He was
dethroned and imprisoned in a mountain in Iran,
always seeking to awake as an “Antichrist”, who
will bring industry, steel, iron and machinery
to an apocalyptic chaos.
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"Belial Arisen" CD (Behemoth Productions - Italy) 2003
"Belial Arisen" Gatefold LP (Perverted Taste - Germany)
Track Listing:
1.
Infernal Majesty
2. Book of Belial
3. Antichrist Rising
4. Varcolaci
5. Lycanthropy and Flames
6. Light of Satanael
7. The Crimson Dragon
Century Media Records Distribution described "Belial
Arisen as "The last pure black metal recordings by Black Funeral, the
music for Belial Arisen was recorded in 1996 while the vocals were added
4 years alter. Raw, supreme, cult. (2003)."
Jari at
The Metal Observer wrote-
"Belial
Arisen" was recorded all the way back in 1996 when the band was still
alive. Michael Ford, the former of the band, took off soon after the
recording of this CD to form dark Industrial bands such as VALEFOR and
PSYCHONAUT73 (his current band) and so BLACK FUNERAL had no other choice
but to put itself to sleep.
So, this album is the obituary of one of the first American Black Metal
bands. BLACK FUNERAL (I guess) was one of those cult bands not many had
heard of but those who had were all over them and listening to this
testimonial of their uncontroversial sound it is not that hard to
believe. For one the production alone will be too much for most people,
even those who are accustomed to Black Metal's low production. This here
would have most primitive Black Metal bands' production sound like it
was crystal clear, it is that bad. No, actually it's even worse than
bad. The sound wavers back and forth as if getting muted periodically by
a slowly rotating fan. And even when it's 'good' it's really bad.
Another ingredient
that makes this cult is Michael Ford himself. He is really committed to
all things dark. A Satanist and practitioner of witchcraft and the
founder of a black magical guild. His lyrics followed suite telling of
vampirism, lycanthropy, Satan and witchcraft. All this most certainly
made him an even more convincing leader of the band and I for one would
have liked to see what he was like on stage. I'd have liked to see the
whole band on stage for that matter!
BLACK FUNERAL's style
of Black Metal was a grim and dirty but also quite appealing. It's got
that DARKTHRONE kind of grimness and groove with a bit of MAYHEM and
EMPEROR in it, especially in the rare keyboard parts. Aggressive and
cold, ugly and disturbing but at the same time so very atmospheric and
very interesting. The melodic riffs are a great contrast to the
otherwise very raw sound and at times creates a very beautiful whole (or
then I'm just on a very sentimental mood today). The vocal's are
somewhere between BURZUM and DARKTHRONE and pretty demonic indeed.
"Belial Arisen" is a
fitting reminder of BLACK FUNERAL's might. Very cold and aggressive. Raw
and ugly but at the same time incredible and even beautiful. Check it
out if you like your Black Metal raw and kicking or have any interest in
the American Black Metal scene and can put the production values behind
(by the way it really doesn't bother that much the more you listen to
it). Scary stuff. (Online December 4, 2003)"
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"Belial Arisin" BANNED COVER VERSION - CDR 2002 -
Ultima Comparatio Productions (limited)
Track Listing:
1.
Infernal Majesty
2. Book of Belial
3. Antichrist Rising
4. Varcolaci
5. Lycanthropy and Flames
6. Light of Satanael
7. Red Dragon
This
limited CDR (500 copies or less) was issued by Ultima Comparatio
Productions in 2002. The cover was supplied by Peter of Abigor for the
release of this obscure version of "Belial Arisin". The cover was
created by an Austrian photographer/artist and the cult black metal
ABIGOR was to use it. The label refused to use it and it was banned in
Europe. Lance Gifford, a longtime friend of Michael of Black Funeral and
Peter of Abigor suggested the use for Black Funeral. This cover was the
only time this image was used and soon faded into obscurity. The cover
was suggested for use on the re-release of "Belial Arisen" in 2003 but
was BANNED by European distributors before it could even go to print.
Please note the difference in spelling of this version as well, not to
mention the "Red Dragon" title of the last track.
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"Moon of Characith" (Fullmoon Productions, Florida) 1998
Synthesizer, ritual music, black ambient. This was a statement to the
Black metal scene at the time. When the statement was made, Nachttoter
went forward with other projects such as Valefor and Psychonaut 75.
1.
Totentanz
2. Seduction and Devourment
3. Evocation in the Lunar Lodge
4. Rite of Enveloping Shadows
5. Blood Rite - Manifestation of Marchosias
6. Death Gnosis
7. Moon Thirst
8. The Vampire Born - Totentanz II
9. Banishing
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"Tribute to Hell" Compilation - Fullmoon Productions 1998
Exclusive Black Funeral track
"Mourns a Lengthening Shadow"
This
Fullmoon productions compilation was a very special one as it featured
unreleased tracks from many black metal bands, Mysticum, Mayhem, Thy
Primordial, Tartaros, Diaboli, Thy Infernal, Acheron, Swordmaster and
many, many more. This track was recorded with a one time session member
in Indianapolis, Indiana. Track has not and will not be rereleased
elsewhere.
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"Empire of Blood" (Fullmoon Productions, Florida) 1997
Tracklisting:
1.
Vampire: The Wisdom Within, The Truth Without
2. Opferblut
3. The Land of Phantoms
4. Bathory Incarnate - Goddess of Death Arises
5. Der Werewolf
6. Leviathan - The Black Oceans Roar
7. Empire of Blood
8. Nihilist
9. Lord Sathanas Returns
10. The Funeral Procession Descends
11. Journeys into Horizons Lost
Musicians:
Baron Drakkheim Abaddon (Michael Ford - Nachttoter) -
Moonhowls, Synthesizer, bass guitar)
Ravennacht
(Session) - electric guitar
Darkat (S.L. LeJeune - from Valefor/Darkness Enshroud) -
Backing Vocals, Synth
Eurynome (Session)- Drums, Percussion.
It was
during the time of this recording that Michael of Black Funeral was
working with the Vampiric Cult "The Black Order of the Dragon", along
with an obscure man named Nachzehrer and Peter Nachtgeist, who was
better known for his work with Swedish cult legends FAFNER. "Empire of
Blood", along with collaboration with Artist BLOOD MOON, proved to be a
powerful vampiric black metal release.
A
Review from Chronicals of Chaos Online Magazine.
"AACCKK!!
Yes!! This is easily some of the BEST really raw and ultra-ghastly black
metal that I have ever heard. I like this better than the mighty Sort
Vokter (!!), better than Ildjarn, better even than the Legions Noires
bands from France. This band's style is guaranteed to totally alienate
the vast majority of listeners, but if you have a taste for the uniquely
creepy ambience which severely unrefined black metal can dredge up, then
I encourage you to track this down. It's wild music, atmospherically
pregnant with the void; you listen to this and marvel that human beings
produced something that sounds so far gone. In addition to the sheer
weirdness of it all, listening is especially enjoyable on two levels.
The most immediately apparent factor is the basement-quality sound. As
evidenced by the highly boring nature of all the "sophisticated"
style-pirates who play a polished-up version of black metal, highly
impure production is by far the superior vehicle for this style, and
Black Funeral does a great job with it. (Think of the production on the
Emperor/Enslaved split for a good comparison.) But far more important in
the long run are the songs themselves -- unformulaic, unearthly
constructions crawling with all these weirdly sinister little melodies
that irresistibly worm their way into your brain. But be warned!! The
songs will sound awfully familiar if you've got the first Black Funeral
CD, because six of the tracks on _Empire of Blood_ are re-recorded
versions of songs from the debut, though the titles and lyrics have been
changed. (I only have a promo version of the CD, so I don't know if the
full packaging indicates this or not.) Anyway, I always thought those
old songs were cool, and I think the new versions offer enough
enhancement to make the repetition quite worthwhile. The sound this time
is more spacious, hazier, and stranger, with incredibly abstracted,
distorted howling vocals -- so while the debut was a classic of grim,
raw black metal, this re-recording is a classic of very ambient grim,
raw black metal. Also included are three demo tracks from 1993 -- not
quite as good as the new material, but pleasantly ripping all the same.
Check out the artwork, too: the calligraphy is just amazing. Killer all
around. This should be destined for serious cult status." - Review by
Steve Hoeltzel (9 out of 10) from a review posted 3/10/1998.
Amazon.com review-
"This is
for the elite Black Metal fan, December 7, 2003
Reviewer: Mason Johnson (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my
reviews
This album sounds like something from Emperor. The sound quality maybe
poor, but it has nothing to do with the quality of the muisc. If you
judge by production, then you are pretty thick-headed. This album
contains such chilling and grim riffs, that captures the darkness of
this album. The track "Bathory Incarnate (Goddess Of Death Arises)"
captures the essence of the actual vampire, Bathory, with it's evil
riffs. If you like bands like Mayhem, Emperor, Darkthrone, Immortal, and
Venom, then this is a recommendation for you. But if you like bands like
Cradle Of Filth, then this album might be too scary for you."
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"Spells of Darkness and Death" CS 1995
The
follow up to "Vampyr - Throne of the Beast" but featuring old tracks
from demo, reworked.
1. Rise
of the Wolves Age 02:48
2. Journey into Horizons Lost/Bubonic Death 04:13
3. Into the Stars of a Blazing Past 02:02
4. Walking the Shadow Side 02:51
5. Outro 03:25
Total playing time 15:19
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"Vampyr
- Throne of the Beast" (Fullmoon Productions, Florida) 1995
Recorded
in 1995 "Vampyr - Throne of the Beast" was the first extreme full length
for the Cult of Black Funeral. There were two covers, the Blood drinking
Wampyhri from the first press and the 1996 press featuring Vlad Tepes.
Numerous t-shirts, longsleeves were issued.
 
1. Ex Sanguini Draculae
2. The Floating Blue Witchlight
3. Valley of the Shadow
4. Spectral Agony of Pain and Loneliness
5. Vampyr - Throne of the Beast
6. Spirit of the Werewolf
7. Rising from a Dishonored Grave
8. Of Dark and Crimson Spheres
Recorded
& Mixed at Dungeons Of Cachtice Castle.
Produced by BLACK FUNERAL
All music by Tavernier and York
All lyrics by Baron Von Abaddlon
Cover painting grimly done by Nachzehrer
Logo by Equitant
Baron Von Abaddon -
Wolf Spirit Howlings
Nocturnal - Jim Hensly - Lycanthropic Guitars, Bass,
Asmoderic - J.B.York - Drums and Tribal Rike Percussion,
Blackangel - Dean Tabernier - Lycanthropic Guitars, Bass,
Desolate Wings (Demoncy)- Session synth
"Vampyr - Throne Of
The Beast" is an album based on the sinister side of the
European / Eurodescended Psyche. Folk legends dealing with witchcraft,
vampirism, and the dreamcycle of lycanthropic awakening. This album is a
calling to the hidden vampiric nature of those individuals strong of
mind, and
spirit who can invoke such atavism of primal fear.
Review of "Vampyr- Throne of the Beast"
Review by Steve Hoeltzel (7 out of 10)
"If you're a total old-school black metal purist, you might tack another
point or two onto the score for this one. If, on the other hand, truly
creepy, blackened scorch is really not your thing, you should definitely
subtract four or five. Much like Bathory circa '85 and current groups
like Gorgoroth and Ungod, Black Funeral feel no need to dress up their
pure black sound in more colorful sonic fashions. There are no "epic"
synthesizers washing out the electrified strings; there are no moody
medieval acoustic bits; there are no female friends of the band reciting
poetry in the middle of songs. Nope, these guys can create a really icy
and other-worldly atmosphere with bass, guitar, drums, and vox alone.
Black Funeral churn out highly evocative music, stark in its simplicity,
yet so unrelentingly dark and distorted that each song gives off an
authentically grim vibe. The key is some pretty crafty songwriting,
especially evident on "Spectral Agony of Pain and Loneliness", the title
track, and "Of Dark and Crimson Spheres". Every song features cool
changes in tempo, weirdly haunting riffs, and chilling vocals. And
unlike far too many black metal bands, these guys know how not to wear
out their welcome: this debut CD is only 28 minutes long. Definitely
some of the creepiest sounding metal I have heard in quite some time,
this is highly recommended for those with a taste for the ghastly.
Another very cool release from Full Moon. article submitted 5/10/1996 to
Chronicals of Chaos web zine."
Review by Yoggoth (Amazon.com) rates Four out of Five Stars-
"Black
Funeral is one best black metal acts this side of the Atlantic. This,
their debut on Full Moon, has the cold, evil atmospheres of Darkthrone,
with lo-fi ambient passages, like in old Burzum or Wrath era Emperor. A
superior release for an American band, sure to keep denizens of the
unholy underground happy. There is one drawback though, the play time is
only 28 minutes, and while black metallers are used to short albums,
this is only slightly longer than the average Gorgoroth disc."
Infernal Ritual on Amazon.com gave "Vampyr.." 5 out of 5 stars, writing-
"This is
Black Funeral's debut release on FMP, and I must say this CD kills! The
production is raw & dirty, just the way these kind of albums should be
produced. The vocals are painful and not kind to the ears, the spooky
ambient pieces are great. Overall this CD delivers cold and hateful
black metal! The artwork is pretty nice as well, and perfectly captures
the mood of the music. It has Vlad Tepes and two blood-red skeletons on
the side of him It's too bad that they've given up on black metal and
went on to do Dark ambient/projects... If you don't have this CD, what
are you waiting for! BUY IT"
Janet Dzuricky at Amazon.com gave "Vampyr" 5 out of 5 and wrote-
"When I
first bought this album, I didn't think much of it. But I pulled it out
later on and realized that this album is one of the best in my
collection. It may be the finest USBM release ever (next to Judas
Iscariot's albums). Black Funeral return to the raw, evil sound of the
first black metal bands like Darkthrone and Mayhem, yet they manage to
blend in their own original sound that makes this release unique. Stand
out songs are "The Floating Blue Witchlight", "Spectral Agony of Pain
and Loneliness", and "Of Dark and Crimson Spheres". Amidst the
brutality, Black Funeral include 2 "breather" ambient keyboard tracks
that withdraw the sword from your soul for a bit. I only have two
complaints of this release.One, it is only 28 minutes long. Two, it is
essentially their only black metal release, since "Empire of Blood" is
the same material with different titles and worse production. The
production here is mediocre, not giving or taking away from the music,
so you hear it as it is, no embellishing or fancy effects. This is a
black metal album for anyone who wants to see the more brutal side of
the genre. I would consider getting it used, since it is so short. GET
IT NOW OR FOREVER BE DEAD"
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"Journey's Into Horizons Lost" (Indiana, USA and Bulgaria) 1993 - 1994
First recording features rare vocal style not used on later recordings.
Cover of demo as published in 1994 and was issued by Abyss Productions
features a photo of woods in Indiana, the then - residence of the band.
Features all session members except for Michael Ford, then known as
Baron Drakkheim Abaddon, Der Nachttoter. There were two versions, the
one with the woods photo and then this issue which had different vocals
and artwork. The color cover version was authorized by a Bulgarian small
cassette label to issue in 1994, however the label only sent an example
to the band - published the covers and vanished.
Tracklist:
Black
Funeral
“Journey’s Into Horizons Lost” Cassette 1994
Grim Medieval Vampiric Black Metal
Spells:
Intro: Within the Ballinok Mountains
1. Into the Stars of a Blazing Past
2. Journey’s into Horizons Lost
3. The Land beyond the Forest
4. Armageddon (Lord Sathanas Returns)
5. Voice of a Forgotten Ghoul
Line Up:
Baron von Abaddon (Nachttoter)
Summonings/Chants/Sword
Nocturnal
Sorcerer
Deathsaws
Warlord
Asmoderic
Drums and Percussion
Music by
Black Funeral
Lyrics by Abaddon – Nachttoter
Recorded at Melancholy Studios
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