***Sweden’s reputation in the world of underground black and death metal is a well-earned one. Known for stellar musicianship, consistent quality and distinct production, it should be no surprise that many ancient Swedish hordes are still as potent today as ever. With that in mind, NWN! Productions is proud to release Storm of Satan, the second full length from VASSAGO. Formed in the late 1980s, Vasago released two demos in the mid-90s before recording their blasphemous 1999 full length Knights From Hell. The group established an identity with revered fellow countrymen LORD BELIAL, sharing several members. While Lord Belial has earned a stellar reputation for their sweeping, melancholic grandiosity, Vassago approaches black and death metal from a maleficent angle. With biting, vicious intensity that calls to mind fellow northern gods Impaled Nazarene of Nifeheim, Vassago offers a full-scale attack of warlike staccato and a penchant for the disgusting and evil. Storm of Satan is thematically dominated by a pure worship of Satan; a true devotional homage to the literal essence of black metal art. Musicianship and execution are at their peak here, with the additional presence of the legend ANDY LAROQUE (of KING DIAMOND) producing the record as well as providing lead guitar. Storm of Satan offers its listeners no recourse; this is worship of evil for the evil among us.
LP $20.50
12/17/2021
***Last year, NWN! reissued “Knights From Hell,” the obscure, underappreciated classic debut album released in 1999 by Sweden’s Vassago. The reissue rekindled interest in the band and now NWN! is joining forces with Vassago once more, this time for the release of the band’s earlier material. Vassago was a project formed by Niclas “Pepa” Andersson and Micke “Sin” Backelin, both of whom were better known at the time for their involvement with Lord Belial. With Vassago, however, the two delivered a bestial, yet intricate onslaught of black death. Self-released on the band’s Total War label in 1994, the “Nattflykt” demo is a severe statement of intent, which the band perpetuated with the 1996 self-released “Hail War!” split LP featuring Antichrist (Ger). This new LP collects all the tracks from both the demo and the split LP. (Two songs, identical versions of which appeared on both recordings, have been omitted from the “Hail War” side.) These recordings are a stepping stone to the brilliance of “Knights From Hell,” but they are also outstanding in their own right, presenting a unique sound that is generally not associated with the mid-90s Swedish black metal movement. Though more primitive and less frenetic in its execution compared with the album, this material possesses a bludgeoning forcefulness and piercing intensity that characterizes this early incarnation of the band. The tracks are furious, reckless, yet not lacking melody or composition. Sin’s raptor-like vocals howl and seethe wrathful vengeance, punctuating the spectral fury of the instrumentation. This LP...
LP $19.25
08/07/2020
***First-ever vinyl edition of VASSAGO's first and only album of Swedish black metal. Obscure, mostly overlooked bestial black metal from 1999, which more resembles the early output of Impaled Nazarene and Black Witchery than Vassago’s more melodic Swedish contemporaries. Produced by legendary King Diamond guitarist, ANDY LAROQUE.
LP $19.25
11/15/2019