GOLDEN DAWN / APEIRON "Split Demo 95" Double CD
We cannot stress enough how crucial this recording is within the canon of Austrian black metal, and it is truly time to recognize the importance of these projects and the dynamic world created by Golden Dawn and its architect, Stefan Traunmuller. There are a lot of old demos getting reissue treatment these days, and within that spectrum there are many which have the charm and nostalgia of being from another era, but few of these recordings stand on their own as fully-conceived and fleshed out works of art. This release is not only remarkable for its expansive range of styles but for the sheer scope of vision that’s rarely found on the demo tape format. I can personally assure you that this is one of those rarest dark gems that up until now has criminally gone, for the most part, unacknowledged. Golden Dawn formed as a one man project around 1993 and unleashed their great debut demo “Lullaby” two years later. The initial style of music is a combination of raw nordic black metal with a huge reliance on keyboards and ambient passages to provide a deeper and more mystical feeling that empowers the music. Also in 1995, Traunmuller decided to release a split between his main project Golden Dawn and a new project, Apeiron, one that was purely dark ambient based. The result was the split demo 95 (originally issued on Impure Creations, France). The style of black metal here is epic in terms of complexity of composition and epic in terms of the majestic feeling enveloping each song. The collection is truly a masterful execution of medieval ambient passages paired with raw atmospheric black metal. One thing that really stands out is how varied the style is across these recordings, yet it’s cohesion as an entire story or epic tale is incredibly consistent. Within the boundaries of black metal and dark ambient Traunmuller was wildly inventive and his courage really shines listening to this musical odyssey over 20 years later. Not only is this a prime example of raw, demo-era BM from Austria (see: Abigor, Summoning, Pazuzu, Trifixion, Amestigon et al) but the Apeiron material is also some of the strongest dark-ambient (or dark-wave) music from within the mid-nineties black metal scene. Whereas virtually all of these types of projects are wholly indebted to Mortiis (and the style he defined), Apeiron has more of a unique identity that draws from the cosmic synthesizer music of Jean-Michel Jarre or ancient eastern meditation music. Now with this keyboard driven style enjoying a revival (sometimes referred to as ‘dungeon-synth’), the importance of these recordings is more crucial than ever.
Stream: http://traunmuller-archives.bandcamp.com/album/golden-dawn-apeiron-1995
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/golden-dawn-apeiron-split-demo-95-double-cd
DROWNING THE LIGHT "Within the Sour Soil of the Mind" MC
Almost a decade has passed since the first chapter of the Obscure Worship Chronicles was recorded, and 8 years since chapter 4 "Elixir of Rancid Dreams & Broken Memories". Yet even though so much time has passed, the rotten summer of 2016 started to corrode the mind and thus the final part of the series, chapter 5, "Within the Sour Soil of the Mind" was recorded, with hints to past recordings, nods to past nods, as well as it's own obscure and sombre darkness. Again, this is not Black Metal material, this is highly improvised poisoned ambient and distorted synth material filled with sorrow and pure nightmare fuel. As thus we woke up from the rain... and walked straight into the storm... Limited to 100 copies only.
Stream: http://drowningthelight.bandcamp.com/album/within-the-sour-soil-of-the-mind-chapter-5-of-the-obscure-worship-chronicles
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/drowning-the-light-within-the-sour-soul-of-the-mind-mc
FORGOTTEN KINGDOMS "Blue Moon Gate Between Worlds" MC
Forgotten Kingdoms debut album "Blue Moon Gate Between Worlds" continues the pilgrimage towards the stars and supreme monarchy, weaving this nightside journey to the past and lost empires, filled with ancient sorrow, the voice of fallen kings and the echoes of warriors that time forgot. Limited to 100 copies.
Stream: http://forgottenking.bandcamp.com/album/blue-moon-gate-between-worlds
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/copy-of-forgotten-kingdoms-blue-moon-between-worlds-mc
FORGOTTEN KINGDOMS "Crowned in Forlorn Darkness" MC
"Crowned in Forlorn Darkness" is a return into the majestic realm of Forgotten Kingdoms. Journey from the halls of the king of the nights empire, to tales of great beasts from below the depths in this 2 track demo of pure dungeon synth darkness from Oceania. Limited to 100 copies.
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/forgotten-kingdoms-crowned-in-forlorn-darkness-mc
NOCTURNAL CHALICE "Forgotten Voices Sing Again" MC
The final chapter of the Nocturnal Chalice demo trilogy, recorded prior to the release of the first demo under the Tour de Garde coat of arms. Once again, Nocturnal Chalice has resurrected the classic and grim black metal sound of the late nineties using epic melodies for sinister black metal outbursts. It's now time to embark on this final journey to the darkest memories of a now distant past....
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/nocturnal-chalice-forgotten-voices-sing-again-mc
FUNERAL ALTAR "Black Mark of the Lost Path" MC
The second offering of this mysterious and raw black metal project from the United States. Once again, Funeral Altar offer an ear screeching, crude and morbid demo of the vilest kind. Two tracks, almost 15 minutes of utterly macabre and arid black metal for the wicked mind.
Order: http://t-d-g.net/products/funeral-altar-black-mark-of-the-lost-path-mc
Coming sooner or later under the Tour de Garde banner:
BLACK WITCHERY "Desecration of the Holy Kingdom " Pro-MC
BLESSED IN SIN "Materia Prima (Eritis Sicut Dii - 2006)" Pro-MC
COFFINSHADE "In the Darkness I Shall Dwell" Pro-MC
GOLDEN DAWN "Lullaby / Way of the Sorcerer" CD
KRUËL KÖMMANDO "Synagoga Satanae" Pro-MC
OLD TOWER "Spectral Horizons" 12"LP
ORDO SANGUINIS NOCTIS "Blood Aeon of Fullmoon sacrifices" Pro-MC
WOODS OF INFINITY "Skog" Pro-MC
Some articles have been added to our store (Emyn Muil, Incarnator, Judas Iscariot, Lord Wind, Void Ceremony, etc). The distribution is slowly coming back to the webstore as the inventory is being rebuilt. In the meantime you can browse more articles at Discogs, check the Tour de Garde Discogs store here: http://www.discogs.com/seller/Tour-de-Garde/profile
