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| Infernal
hails... I'm a little bit excited about presenting Issue X to you - not just because we've succeeded in giving you a whole ten installments of top-quality reviews, interviews and special features, but because there are an awful lot of exciting things afoot this fortnight, and I'm eager to hear what you think. The first thing to marvel at is an interview that was conducted by an old friend, Marcel Bänziger, with whom I worked on the Vampire Magazine crew. He'd set this article up many moons ago, and by the time it came to pass, found himself in need of a home to host it. For many reasons, this is a remarkable piece - the subject is The Helheim Society, Norway's 'other' Helheim, who had quite an impact back in the 90s with their demos, and ultimately their much-acclaimed EP release, "Fenris". Since they split up soon after that material was unleashed, it's been notoriously difficult to find any information pertaining to this 'cult' (in the true sense of the word) outfit. We're more than thrilled, therefore, to feature Marcel's discussion with founder-member Zorn, who reveals many details about what went on in this dark and special days, as well as reflecting on the band's material, and the sad loss of vocalist Jon, who died in 2004. Marcel believes this is the only interview The Helheim Society have given since their demise, and so it only remains to thank both him and Zorn once more for 'roosting' at Hierophant Nox. Elsewhere, two crewmembers are sharpening their teeth on the best the extreme metal world has to offer for the first time this issue. From out of his leave of duty returns Paul King, my long-time collaborator and an excellent scribe, who has things to say about the new releases from Agathodaimon and Windrider. Joining us afresh is Helvetia, who you will recognise from the times in which he has featured in Hierophant Nox... don't be alarmed, he's still very much a musician, but we have corralled him for writing duties on the side. 1349 got his goat (arf arf) this fortnight, and you can read all about it in our Reviews section. The Satanic One and I have been equally busy on the review front; I've been indulging in my passion for raw black metal with Orthodox Divinity and Blooddawn, whilst pretending not to really like Alestorm (I do, I do, I can't deny it), and Muttley has been pondering some more imponderables from the Cold Spring label, as well as getting his death on with the best Sweden has to offer, and pretending it's Very Very Long Ago with Tim 'Ripper' Owens. I'm pleased with my interviews this time around as well - I caught up with Vith from Pestilent Grave, following my great enjoyment of "Esoteric Blasphemy" last issue, and also had the great pleasure of questioning Perth's Threshold Sicks, who are literally champing at the bit to get their new album down your ear-holes. We've been out and about quite a lot this month; we MASSIVELY enjoyed the Infernal Damnation Festival in London, where we were completely blown away (on different levels) by Foscor and by Shining. For all the hype, Niklas Kvarforth in the flesh is a pretty magical thing. Poland's Hate were an excellent offering, whilst discovering the UK's Eastern Front was a pleasant surprise for our whole group. You'll forgive us if we don't formally write about the event - it was a celebratory evening (my birthday, or 'another 365 days of fucking misery' as Niklas told me) which turned into a bit of a team-building exercise as well, with Helvetia appearing out of nowhere (or 'Leicester' as it's more commonly known) and our fairy-godmother band manager Patricia of course being on hand to look after her charges. Thanks to all who made the trip so enjoyable - you'll most definitely be reading some more about the featured bands over the next couple of issues. That's it! Check back with us on the 4th of June for Carpathian Forest, Trail of Tears, Stream of Passion, Eternal Helcaraxe, Conquest of Steel, Z'ev, Lifeless, The Sin Committee, Rev 16:8, Foscor and whatever else two manic weeks can throw at us. Email hierophantnox@gmail.com if you're interesting in featuring alongside these acts. Until then, we're with you daily for extreme metal news... Dark regards Ellen - Editor |