Scary Metal

[Der Golem]

I wanted to make a thread about Portal, but decided it would be more fun to talk about all sorts of Scary Metal. Scary music in general even? I'll start this off by giving you the scoop on the Australian death metal band Portal, but please chime in and pimp your own preferred bands.

Anyways, Portal.



These guys have some wierd vintage horror thing going, that is apparant in not only in their promo shoots and lyrics, but stage performance (they perform as they are dressed in the above picture) and even the sound of the studio albums. They record everything themselves, and throughout their entire career they have been honing this truly messed up sound that does not sound brutal at all, but noisy, old and cobwebbed. For example, on their second full-length, Outré, they recorded the drums with one mic, to make the cymbals all indistinguishable. They just released their third LP, titled Swarth. And now it is youtube video time.

Live performance of Glumurphonel, off their first album, Seepia. This is them at their most tech-death.

Black Houses, off their second album, Outré, which is their most ritualistic and, arguably, bizarre work.

Finally, off their latest release, Swarth, which is a comprimise between their earlier two releases, and has already been dubbed their best by some, Larvae


Edit; So apparantly I failed to embed the youtube videos, making the layout of this thread a bit less impressive. Here's hoping you will click some links.

[Be My Head]

Scary as in their image or scary as in the music sounds scary?


If you're talking scary image, may I present to you.... Occult Rock band from Italy, JACULA



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEyWQGx3rac&fmt=18

[Der Golem]

Just finished the song you linked, that was excellent. Very retro and occult. When was this released?

[Be My Head]

Well they have two albums, and according to wikipedia "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum in 1969, which has a superposition of an organ, piano and other sound effects, and Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus in 1973,"

You can grab their debut album here

There's some dispute as to whether it really is that old, but that doesn't mean it isn't completely badass all the same.

[Der Golem]

Thanks, I will. And I was just curious to see if it was from that era, if the retro feel was authentic, if you will.

[Damnable Fiend]

yeah I'm going to nominate Wormphlegm

[Lummer]

I was gonna nominate Portal when I saw the thread title, but that's been taken care of, so I'm going with these guys:



Incantation.

After having heard a few tracks off their "Onwards To Golgotha" record, I'm pretty convinced this is some of the ickiest, slimiest, evilest Death Metal ever produced. Their use of doomy breakdowns and oozingly atonal riffage work really, really well to set an ominous mood. I dig it.

Although the scariest to me, is still Portal. I don't think anyone or... anything has ever pulled off the Lovecraftian feel in music as effectively as these dudes, or whatever the hell they are.
I tend to call their approach to guitar "Non-Euclidian Riffage".

[SWOON! at My Gravitas]

Man, I don't know why, but it seems like I've been hearing a whole lot about Portal lately.  Which makes sense, considering their new album just came out.

Also, I think Sunn0))) can be pretty scary.  Especially when played LOUD.

Also...


I so want a hat like that.

[KharBevNor]

This is my sort of thread!



Born Under the Knife, Live in Pain
In The Hallway of Crawling Filth
Entangled in Mannequin Limbs



Obscuritatem
In Ictu Oculi
De Profundis Mors Vas Cousumet

Two essentials, I feel.

[kraemandrummer]

this fills the one musical void I had
I have no scary music. awesome
besides finding most black metal bands in the vein of Coldworld slightly creepy

[West]

Eyehategod:



Also this:

[tender]

Well they have two albums, and according to wikipedia "In Cauda Semper Stat Venenum in 1969, which has a superposition of an organ, piano and other sound effects, and Tardo Pede In Magiam Versus in 1973,"

You can grab their debut album here

There's some dispute as to whether it really is that old, but that doesn't mean it isn't completely badass all the same.

I really enjoyed that song. *downloads album*

I'm such a novice in this field, but I like what I hear so far.

[Mr. Doctor]

Portal seems like a good band, the production is a problem though... There's a very thin line between a "production that suits the music" and just a shitty production... and sometimes it feels like Portal is right in the middle. But I'm gonna check them out! Thanks for the recommendation!

I agree with Eyehategod... I mean, that's the perfect soundtrack to a HORRIBLE drugtrip.

And I also believe that the last Mayhem [Ordo Ad Chao] album is downright creepy, the atmosphere is unique, and the drums are damn scary imo. Perfect for playing really loud at night.

The Funeral Orchestra is also quiet creepy, the got a nice video too


Mmmm... I also think that Darkspace is quiet amazing. The whole space-concept they created turned out to be perfect and scary, I jsut don't feel secure looking at the sky while listening to their cds.


________________________________________

A Forest Of Stars is also a brilliant band, I'm not sure if it can count as scary, but the ritualistic atmosphere combined with the victorian-theme is mindblowing and very dramatical so I think it can count as dark and scary
Just check out this song [it has such an funny yet elegant intro...]... I can't help myself to think about shamans in the middle of the song, the drums are everywhere!

... Well, I think that A Forest Of Stars is completely worth the try... So I'm gonna put another song as well but it's too long so I will put part 1 and Part 2

You just gotta love the way the cd looks

[kwintpod]

Current 93-I have a special plan for this world
Collaboration of current 93 and thriller author Thomas Ligotti. It's basically David Tibet
reading Ligotti's story over a crappy and monotone keyboard. Creepiest album I've ever heard.

[a pack of wolves]

A Forest Of Stars is also a brilliant band, I'm not sure if it can count as scary, but the ritualistic atmosphere combined with the victorian-theme is mindblowing and very dramatical so I think it can count as dark and scary
Just check out this song [it has such an funny yet elegant intro...]

Nothing is scarier than the sound of someone making a cup of tea.

I totally agree, a great band and I love the whole Victorian theme. I'm really gutted I had to miss their gig with Wodensthrone recently, they've hardly played live at all so far but hopefully I'll get another chance seeing as they're local to me. Apparently Transcendental Creations are issuing The Corpse Of Rebirth on double LP next month, the packaging for that will surely be insane.

Blut Aus Nord and Cobalt definitely give me the willies, but then again I am a big wussy emo type of a chap.

[Der Golem]

Blut Aus Nord is an excellent suggestion. This thread oozes sex, of the non-consensual tentacle variety. But it needs doom. I will provide you with doom.

Firstly, Khanate. You need Khanate in your life. The most avant-garde thing I have heard in doom. In fact, their final album, wich was released post-humously, is the result of editing multiple hours of improvised material together into a "cohesive" album. And it works. The voice is really painful to listen to, and the lyrics truly demented, reading less like actual lyrics and more like a psychotic persons thoughts, demanding of the listener to "stay in that corner" and be silent while he strips bone. Features Stephen O'Malley of SunnO))) fame on guitars. I could go on, but let's have a listen instead. This is Wings From Spine, off their last album.


Abandon.



Abandon are a swedish sludge/doom metal outfit. This is bleak, heavy and despairing stuff. That cover art should be enough of a sales pitch, so I'll just link you a song instead of ranting. Somnambulistic, off their second full length, In Reality We Suffer.

Edit; Just listened to The Funeral Orchestra, shivers down my spine dude.

[sean]

so i clicked on a few of these videos.

lets just say im listening to algernon cadwallader now.

also can somebody explain the whole costume and dress up thing to me? i honestly dont get it.

[Scandanavian War Machine]

also can somebody explain the whole costume and dress up thing to me? i honestly dont get it.

Yeah, sure:

[KharBevNor]

also can somebody explain the whole costume and dress up thing to me? i honestly dont get it.

Basically because it ain't gesamtkunstwerk to scream about raping angels and cleaning your dick with gods beard whilst dressed in chinos and a cardigan.

[Mr. Doctor]

Nothing is scarier than the sound of someone making a cup of tea.

I totally agree, a great band and I love the whole Victorian theme. I'm really gutted I had to miss their gig with Wodensthrone recently, they've hardly played live at all so far but hopefully I'll get another chance seeing as they're local to me. Apparently Transcendental Creations are issuing The Corpse Of Rebirth on double LP next month, the packaging for that will surely be insane.

Hhahah yeah, the tea isn't really the scariest thing ever, it was actually a wind of fresh air after all the tension. But some passages from that song, specially the drums in the middle of the song are just insane.
Hope you see them live! I can't imagine how it would be... I will try at least to haunt their cd... I just have it in my computer  
And I totally agree about Blut Aus Lord!

Firstly, Khanate. You need Khanate in your life.

this post x10000000 times
For a couple of months ago I bought Things Viral. And it was also the time I had to get new wallpaper for my room so all my stuff was in another room. so the night I got the cd I had this weird idea of going to my totally empty room, sit in a corner and play the cd at night with the door and the windows closed, I just had a small flashlight so I could read the lyrics...

It was a crazy idea but damn guys... It was fucking worth it. I got fucking scared in the end of the cd. I barely maded it in the end with all the distorsion and weird noises going on. I got such a weird and stressful feeling... I got a huge pain in my stomach because of that... I haven't heard a cd that has maded me feel physical pain like this band did.

"Instead of reading, talking, laughing just feeling...JUST FEELING
Now we're here
Pieces of us in my hands, on the floor, in my pockets
Red Glory.....REED GLOOOOOORY!!!!
MY GOD!!, THE SMILES!, THE SNEEZES!M THE TALKING!
we're in that place again
we're gone, erased, RED, feel, feel
no good times in here
RED GLORY
change you, be gone.... OR I'LL...!!!"

That's the best fucking moment of that album followed by the last and painful minutes of "Too Close Enough To Touch" ... The video doesn't have the las minutes I really like, but Oh well...

Abandon are a swedish sludge/doom metal outfit.
Edit; Just listened to The Funeral Orchestra, shivers down my spine dude.

Thanks for the recommendation, the music seems really bleak indeed, and that atwork is almost 50% of the reason to buy the cd.
I will try to get it, it might be easy since I live in Sweden . A shame that the vocalist [and also the artist of that gorgeous cover] died... You see kids, you shouldn't take [too much] drugs, specially if your gifted
Glad you liked The Funeral Orchestra.

This is such a good thread tbh... Most of the stuff I really like have this atmosphere. Thank you all for the recommendations!

[BeoPuppy]

Every time some thread like this walks by I check out the doom and sludge entries and every time I get to the conclusion that it just plain sucks as a genre.

What is the attraction, people? What am I missing? What is inspiring about guys in frocks playing 1 chord per minute?

Incantation waqs good though. And there are a few more bands mentioned here that I wil check.

[Spluff]

What am I missing?

Taste.

But in all seriousness, maybe you'd like sludge more if it had more trumpet solos in it.

[Mr. Doctor]

Doom is definitely not for all the metalheads, it's an aquired taste that you learn to like, it's not like the rest of the subgenres that are easier to listen because you either like them or not. With doom it takes time and a good will to appreciatte it.

What is inspiring about guys in frocks playing 1 chord per minute?

Are you aware that Drone is the genre that is most far away from what doom is in general? Drone is almost a genre of it's own and doesn't share too many things with Doom except the slowness. So giving an opinion about doom with only a reference to a drone band is just... Well, not a real opinion if you ask me.

So, taking out everything that is drone since that's the most untraditional doom within the genre... I blows my mind that you say how uninspiring it can be.
The newest Esoteric being an example, easily the best thing this decade since I doubt that something will even get close this year and the next one. And it have also blasbeats and other faster things for those that believe doom is just slow.
Another perfect example is Disembowelment, being one of the big ones in Death/Doom

Now that I think of it, a lot of the bands posted here are quiet fast, and some of them are not even doom, like experimental Black in some cases..

[a pack of wolves]

I think the only full-on doom band we've had before you mentioned Esoteric was The Funeral Orchestra. I was going to suggest a bit of Iron Monkey, Noothgrush or Corrupted but if someone thinks Eyehategod and Abandon are too slow then they're either a grind fiend that reckons Joe Pesci are mid-paced or they just don't like their music to be too crushing.

[Mr. Doctor]

Corrupted

Thank you so much for that video, It's hard to find their stuff [at least for me] and they don't have nothing on their Myspace.

Also to the list of good sludge bands, while not really scarry, it can be really disturbing is Acid Bath and if people think it's still quiet slow that's because they didn't bother to listen to other songs And also... Their lyrics are just brilliant.

[a pack of wolves]

They are shadowy men. I was quite surprised to find it, I remember last time I looked for some there was only live footage and one video that had excerpts as it was a trailer for a film where they were used on the soundtrack. Looks like some nice people have been sorting it out, as there seem to be a few full tracks there now. I can upload the split with Noothgrush sometime if you don't have that one.

[Mr. Doctor]

I can upload the split with Noothgrush sometime if you don't have that one.

Please, I don't own/have in my computer anything they've done except two EP's called "An Island Insane" and "Vasana"

[kyleg]

Diabolical Masquerade- Nightwork

[kraemandrummer]

I finally found something to contribute.

Stalaggh

"Little is known about this group of extreme musicians who hail from parts of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stalaggh comes from the German word "stalag" which was a WWII concentration camp. The extra G and H stands for global holocaust. The real names and faces of the members involved will never be revealed and they will never perform live. The most extreme factor most commonly known for Stalaggh is that they actually have mental patients do the vocals for their albums. One in particular "guest" vocalist was locked away for brutally stabbing his own mother over 30 times to death at the age of 16. One of the "musicians" was almost murdered during the recording process and it was all recorded. The reasoning for recording the mental patients is because the band really wanted the hatred and painful emotions to be REAL and truly felt. It's almost hard to believe but these are the facts of this sick band. One thing is certain, Stalaggh truly represents the total annihilation of all human life..."


This shit is fucked up man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3O5Px3_RJ3w

[BeoPuppy]

http://www.youtube.com/user/newera666

Here's the guy who uploaded that Stallaggh thing. I'm not surprised that he uploaded this. I am, however, surprised that he couples a love for nihilistic, global holocaust music with speeches made by Barack Obama.

Yes, we can!

[kwintpod]

Barackkk: projekt terror

[Mr. Doctor]

Stalaggh's album is for me that kind of cd that any collector that is a fan of weird noise/music would love to have but then realise that the music/noise is actually annoying as fuck and not even worth the money, but just cool to say to your friends "hey, I have this really weird cd but I can't show it to you".. It remains me of those dudes that collect star wars figures in their boxes and I don't really like that...

So yeah, I don't like Stalaggh, it's a dissapointment because the idea is good, but they didn't deliver it good.

[BeoPuppy]

I think anybody aspiring to global holocaust is an idiot. And I don't sponsor idiot opinions.

[kwintpod]

I think anybody aspiring to global holocaust is an idiot. And I don't sponsor idiot opinions.

Then you might as well not listen to metal on the whole

[Jimmy the Squid]

I'd just to take this opportunity to say that I saw Portal at Metal For The Brain one year, when the singer was still wearing the wizard hat and I have to say it was basically the most intense thing I've ever seen. I was stoned out of my mind at the time and oh christ it was just incredible. I haven't seen them play since he started wearing the clock hat but I'm told it's just as intense.

[NotAFanOfFenders]

I think anybody aspiring to global holocaust is an idiot. And I don't sponsor idiot opinions.

Then you might as well not listen to metal on the whole

whaaaaaat

[Jimmy the Squid]

Also I should probably point out that Portal inspired the costume I wear for my band (which isn't really that scary metal).

[SWOON! at My Gravitas]

Badass

[BeoPuppy]

One way to never get bothered for an autograph.

[A Wet Helmet]

Man... I tried to get into Portal, I really did.

I mean, their look is awesome.  Not super-imaginative by any means, but a terrific interpretation that I really like.  I get a very strong vibe from the imagery that draws me in.  The music however, I just can't get into.  Not even a little.  I want them to sound more like Candlemass I guess. 

[Mr. Doctor]

Man... I tried to get into Portal, I really did.

I mean, their look is awesome.  Not super-imaginative by any means, but a terrific interpretation that I really like.  I get a very strong vibe from the imagery that draws me in.  The music however, I just can't get into.  Not even a little.  I want them to sound more like Candlemass I guess.  

I also try to get into their music but I fail... The music is nice and all but the godamn production. I already said it in the firsts posts:
There's a very thin line between a "production that suits the music" and just a shitty production... and sometimes it feels like Portal is right in the middle... Not having an idea what to do. It's not like I want it crystal clear because that would be worse, but damn... I don't know... not that noisy probably, it doesn't make me appreciate the music... Quite sad because I really want to like them, I think they have talent and the clothes are just amazing.

[jeph]

nobody has mentioned Blut Aus Nord or Deathspell Omega

what is wrong with you people

[Der Golem]

Actually, Blut Aus Nord has been mentioned several times in this thread already. DsO is an acceptable entry though.

[jeph]

Blut Aus Nord are so spooky I didn't see them mentioned BECAUSE THEY ARE  G-G-G-GHOSTS 

[Mr. Doctor]

Deathspell Omega

I was gonna say Deathspell Omega pretty soon, but I forgot it while cheking out the other bands that were mentioned.
I'm actually listening to Si Monumentum Requires, Circumspice right now... Brilliant stuff but I don't know if I can view it as scary... For example the song "Carnal Malefactor" is really beautiful imo, the lyrics are touching at times and the gregorian chants are amazing as well.
But the drummer is indeed a fucking beast and his muscular intensity is both jaw-dropping and frightening. And the vocalist is creepy at times.
I would call the atmosphere "ceremonial" rather than scary, but it is a creepy ceremony.

Damn.. I still don't have Kenose or Fas.

[Jimmy the Squid]

One way to never get bothered for an autograph.

It is my one regret.

I also try to get into their music but I fail... The music is nice and all but the godamn production. I already said it in the firsts posts:
There's a very thin line between a "production that suits the music" and just a shitty production... and sometimes it feels like Portal is right in the middle... Not having an idea what to do. It's not like I want it crystal clear because that would be worse, but damn... I don't know... not that noisy probably, it doesn't make me appreciate the music... Quite sad because I really want to like them, I think they have talent and the clothes are just amazing.

As I understand it the production is entirely intentional. Basically the idea is that their music will open a portal to Hell. Even live the distortion on everything is turned up so high you can barely hear anything but noise. They're not doing it because they want lo-fi production, they use really good equipment to intentionally make it sound shit.

[BeoPuppy]

I have Kenos and Fas ... but not the one you mentioned. And I really should because I like Deathspell Omega. they are clever about what they do and I like that.

Creepy it isn't but good it most certainly is.

Also, I can't get a Blut Aus Nord CD here for love nor money.

[Mr. Doctor]

As I understand it the production is entirely intentional. Basically the idea is that their music will open a portal to Hell. Even live the distortion on everything is turned up so high you can barely hear anything but noise. They're not doing it because they want lo-fi production, they use really good equipment to intentionally make it sound shit.

Intentional or not the music sounds just like you said... SHIT. That's the main problem, they could achive their idea with better production [and better isn't the same as clean btw]... God, there are lots of albums with really raw production but they sound brilliant, Portal sounds just.. well... like you said: shit.

I'm still gonna give it a try and end up downloading it or even buy some cd. it happens a lot when I guy a cd I don't think I will like that much and guess what, I get a nice surprise. Like I said before, I want to like this band.

I have Kenos and Fas ... but not the one you mentioned. And I really should because I like Deathspell Omega. they are clever about what they do and I like that.

You should, Si monumentum is a nice album, think about Kenose but longer, although that's the reason many people think it's kinda bad because it's way to long, like 72 minutes. But I see it as something good, you know, The music flows really fast [at least for me] and I don't even remember when I started listening the album when I'm already in the fifth track.
And the lyrics are just brilliant. The guy who wrote the lyrics must have witnessed pure madness.

I haven't heard a lot of Fas... What do you think of it?

[BeoPuppy]

Fas ...

Well, awesome title, awesome artwork, same lyrical content. The music ..., well, I think it has a bit of a different 'feel' to it than Kenosh. I think Kenosh flows a bit more, like you say, it's hard to keep track of the ... tracks. Fas ... seems to have more 'songs'. But all the basic elements are still there and you won't be disappointed.