The Undertaker and DJ Slitzkrieg were invited by ViaOmega Magazine to catalog show favorites from the very beginning to present day. For those of you who want to read what is, in effect, a transcript of our live commentary, here it is in all its glory. Look for the text in bold if you want to know which bands we chose but skip the chatter.
Please support ViaOmega Magazine, as it is a very ambitious and well-appointed print publication, and it deserves your attention!
Abigor
– Verwustung:
Invoke the Dark Age
– Verwustung:
Invoke the Dark Age
The
Undertaker: Abigor has been played on Metalenema since the very
beginning, which was 1995.
Undertaker: Abigor has been played on Metalenema since the very
beginning, which was 1995.
Slitzkrieg:
I was 4 when you started playing that on the show.
I was 4 when you started playing that on the show.
The
Undertaker: Back then, we were playing $25 a piece for import CDs.
Albums like this one made you happy to have them at any price.
Undertaker: Back then, we were playing $25 a piece for import CDs.
Albums like this one made you happy to have them at any price.
Slitzkrieg:
The album in particular is the first thing I ever heard from Abigor.
It has a majesty about it that’s unmatched by a lot of their
contemporaries.
The album in particular is the first thing I ever heard from Abigor.
It has a majesty about it that’s unmatched by a lot of their
contemporaries.
The
Undertaker: I agree. They really had a freeness about them that was
uncommon, even in that relatively unfettered scene. I am a big fan of
most of Abigor’s discography, but this is still probably my overall
favorite. We effectively debuted them in Central Texas, and of course
the consequence was that people who didn’t deserve to know about it
got in on it. That’s the double-edged sword of FM radio.
Undertaker: I agree. They really had a freeness about them that was
uncommon, even in that relatively unfettered scene. I am a big fan of
most of Abigor’s discography, but this is still probably my overall
favorite. We effectively debuted them in Central Texas, and of course
the consequence was that people who didn’t deserve to know about it
got in on it. That’s the double-edged sword of FM radio.
Slitzkrieg:
It has aged fantastically, the fine wine of black metal!
It has aged fantastically, the fine wine of black metal!
The
Undertaker: I was going to call them the Rolls Royce of black metal –
audacious, exclusive, timeless, and fucking expensive!
Undertaker: I was going to call them the Rolls Royce of black metal –
audacious, exclusive, timeless, and fucking expensive!
Absu
– The Third Storm of Cythraul
– The Third Storm of Cythraul
The
Undertaker: So what was your first Absu album?
Undertaker: So what was your first Absu album?
Slitzkrieg:
Actually it wasn’t an album, it was the “In the Eyes of Ioldanach”
EP. I found out about them from the “Mannanan” video.
Actually it wasn’t an album, it was the “In the Eyes of Ioldanach”
EP. I found out about them from the “Mannanan” video.
The
Undertaker: Wow, the video? The system works!
Undertaker: Wow, the video? The system works!
Slitzkrieg:
Third Storm… coincidentally was the third album I heard of theirs.
Third Storm… coincidentally was the third album I heard of theirs.
The
Undertaker: Admittedly, Third Storm… was the album that actually
broke it open for me. I liked Barathrum…, but then at the time, I
wasn’t as receptive to The Sun of Tiphareth even though I desperately
wanted to like it. They were a Texas band after all. Then I heard
“Swords and Leather” for the first time and it all came
into focus. Most people of Slitkrieg’s era cite Tara, and not without
good reason.
Undertaker: Admittedly, Third Storm… was the album that actually
broke it open for me. I liked Barathrum…, but then at the time, I
wasn’t as receptive to The Sun of Tiphareth even though I desperately
wanted to like it. They were a Texas band after all. Then I heard
“Swords and Leather” for the first time and it all came
into focus. Most people of Slitkrieg’s era cite Tara, and not without
good reason.
Slitzkrieg:
In a lot of ways Tara ended up being a Magnum Opus of sorts, but
getting to that point really started with The Third Storm of
Cythraul.
In a lot of ways Tara ended up being a Magnum Opus of sorts, but
getting to that point really started with The Third Storm of
Cythraul.
The
Undertaker: Definitely. And at the time, Absu was the only Texas
black metal band making waves, so putting them on the air and knowing
they were in our own back yard was exciting. They will always be a
regular feature.
Undertaker: Definitely. And at the time, Absu was the only Texas
black metal band making waves, so putting them on the air and knowing
they were in our own back yard was exciting. They will always be a
regular feature.
Angelcorpse
– Exterminate
– Exterminate
Slitzkrieg:
Ah yes, Altars of Madness on meth
Ah yes, Altars of Madness on meth
The
Undertaker: This was really a big deal when it came out
Undertaker: This was really a big deal when it came out
Slitzkrieg
: Exterminate took the ideas of Morbid Angel and put the BPM under
martial law.
: Exterminate took the ideas of Morbid Angel and put the BPM under
martial law.
The
Undertaker: They were also terrifying live. It seemed like they were
poised to take Morbid Angel’s place until they dissolved in 2000.
You’re so fucking lucky you’ve gotten to see them live.
Undertaker: They were also terrifying live. It seemed like they were
poised to take Morbid Angel’s place until they dissolved in 2000.
You’re so fucking lucky you’ve gotten to see them live.
Slitzkrieg:
Three times no less!
Three times no less!
The
Undertaker: Yeah, I only got to see them three times when they
toured back then!
Undertaker: Yeah, I only got to see them three times when they
toured back then!
Slitzkrieg:
Yet you got to see them at their strongest as a 4 piece live
Yet you got to see them at their strongest as a 4 piece live
The
Undertaker: True! With Bill Taylor and John Longstreth!
Undertaker: True! With Bill Taylor and John Longstreth!
Slitzkrieg:
Nothing beats the unholy union that recorded this album!
Nothing beats the unholy union that recorded this album!
Bestial
Warlust – Vengeance War Til’ Death
Warlust – Vengeance War Til’ Death
The
Undertaker : When this came out, it was like something that crawled
out of Chernobyl. “War Metal” was not a sub-genre back
then; there was Blasphemy, and… well, Blasphemy.
Undertaker : When this came out, it was like something that crawled
out of Chernobyl. “War Metal” was not a sub-genre back
then; there was Blasphemy, and… well, Blasphemy.
Slitzkrieg:
As our friend Ryan Neil put it “it is the closest musical
representation of the Road Warrior”
As our friend Ryan Neil put it “it is the closest musical
representation of the Road Warrior”
The
Undertaker: Totally! The album cover was as out of control as the
music, too. Also, if you actually had a BW shirt, you were Joe Cool
at shows. Those longsleeve designs were over the top.
Undertaker: Totally! The album cover was as out of control as the
music, too. Also, if you actually had a BW shirt, you were Joe Cool
at shows. Those longsleeve designs were over the top.
Slitzkrieg:
Yeah that’s what really makes an album stand the test of time. An
iconic cover art coupled with one hell of a release
Yeah that’s what really makes an album stand the test of time. An
iconic cover art coupled with one hell of a release
The
Undertaker: We dont play a lot of late-model war metal on the show,
but we’re always happy to play this monster.
Undertaker: We dont play a lot of late-model war metal on the show,
but we’re always happy to play this monster.
Slitzkrieg:
Because in a lot of ways, this really isn’t war metal. Just really
aggressive black metal.
Because in a lot of ways, this really isn’t war metal. Just really
aggressive black metal.
The
Undertaker: Everything was all in one big, scary cauldron.
Undertaker: Everything was all in one big, scary cauldron.
Blood
– Impulse to Destroy
– Impulse to Destroy
Slitzkrieg:
This has the best sword design of any album cover.
This has the best sword design of any album cover.
The
Undertaker: And it has the song “Jesus Never Lived”!
Actually, it’s not so much this album as Blood in general.
Undertaker: And it has the song “Jesus Never Lived”!
Actually, it’s not so much this album as Blood in general.
They
were always a ghost in our machine. A ridiculously heavy band with
lots of solid output.
were always a ghost in our machine. A ridiculously heavy band with
lots of solid output.
Slitzkrieg:
They’ve had a pretty impressive career for a band whose songs average
at about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Yet none of them seem recycled!
They’ve had a pretty impressive career for a band whose songs average
at about 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Yet none of them seem recycled!
The
Undertaker: It’s the German engineering
Undertaker: It’s the German engineering
Slitzkrieg:
Das ist gut.
Das ist gut.
Celtic
Frost – To Mega Therion
Frost – To Mega Therion
The
Undertaker: This is one of the few albums that went over the air
originally via LP. I love that gatefold!
Undertaker: This is one of the few albums that went over the air
originally via LP. I love that gatefold!
Slitzkrieg
Not much else comes close to the opening riff of “The Usurper”.
Not much else comes close to the opening riff of “The Usurper”.
The
Undertaker: Hell no, and “Innocence and Wrath” is still one
of the most massive intros ever!
Undertaker: Hell no, and “Innocence and Wrath” is still one
of the most massive intros ever!
Slitzkrieg:
A band seriously ahead of its time.
A band seriously ahead of its time.
The
Undertaker: I don’t know how any metal show could exist without
playing Celtic Frost, but then I’m reminded that XM Radio exists.
Undertaker: I don’t know how any metal show could exist without
playing Celtic Frost, but then I’m reminded that XM Radio exists.
Slitzkrieg:
Light metals, the aluminums.
Light metals, the aluminums.
The
Undertaker: Metalenema is thallium-based, in that case.
Undertaker: Metalenema is thallium-based, in that case.
Coroner
– Punishment for Decadence
– Punishment for Decadence
Slitzkrieg:
Coroner is a band that just makes me want to stop playing guitar.
Such talented musicians!
Coroner is a band that just makes me want to stop playing guitar.
Such talented musicians!
The
Undertaker: Their riffs are more complex than most band’s solos.
Undertaker: Their riffs are more complex than most band’s solos.
Slitzkrieg:
Absolutely. And so damn fast!
Absolutely. And so damn fast!
The
Undertaker: Technical, yet totally listenable.
Undertaker: Technical, yet totally listenable.
Slitzkrieg:
Technically listenable!
Technically listenable!
The
Undertaker: They’re probably one of our other constants from start to
now. Interesting that many of the bands on this list are on Noise
Records
Undertaker: They’re probably one of our other constants from start to
now. Interesting that many of the bands on this list are on Noise
Records
Slitzkrieg:
Noise really did have an ear for killer stuff. I’ve heard rumors that
they’re reissuing a lot of their catalog from this time period which
will be awesome if true.
Noise really did have an ear for killer stuff. I’ve heard rumors that
they’re reissuing a lot of their catalog from this time period which
will be awesome if true.
The
Undertaker: I’ll rebuy all of it!
Undertaker: I’ll rebuy all of it!
Deicide
– Deicide
– Deicide
Slitzkrieg:
Now we move on to the MG34 and MG42 of death metal! High caliber
weapons of mass destruction! None more Evil!
Now we move on to the MG34 and MG42 of death metal! High caliber
weapons of mass destruction! None more Evil!
The
Undertaker: Both Deicide and Legion are Metalenema institutions. In
fact, when Once Upon the Cross came out, we used it as an excuse to
play a set of songs we called “Tri-fix” – one track from
each! Maybe we should bring that back.
Undertaker: Both Deicide and Legion are Metalenema institutions. In
fact, when Once Upon the Cross came out, we used it as an excuse to
play a set of songs we called “Tri-fix” – one track from
each! Maybe we should bring that back.
Slitzkrieg:
We still do that!
We still do that!
The
Undertaker: Oh that’s right, let’s keep doing it then! Too bad you
only got to see them after Glen acquired the presence of a beat-up
old couch.
Undertaker: Oh that’s right, let’s keep doing it then! Too bad you
only got to see them after Glen acquired the presence of a beat-up
old couch.
Slitzkrieg:
Yep. Faint glimmers of the magick that once had them as the most evil
band on the face of the Earth. If Glen had actually killed himself at
33, they would be absolutely untouchable.
Yep. Faint glimmers of the magick that once had them as the most evil
band on the face of the Earth. If Glen had actually killed himself at
33, they would be absolutely untouchable.
The
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s very unusual for a fan base to wish the singer
actually died!
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s very unusual for a fan base to wish the singer
actually died!
Demigod
– Slumber of Sullen Eyes
– Slumber of Sullen Eyes
Slitzkrieg:
A band we never thought we’d get to see live, and one who blew most
bands who are half the age completely out of the water.
A band we never thought we’d get to see live, and one who blew most
bands who are half the age completely out of the water.
The
Undertaker: I know, and we saw them three times. Hey, just like
Angelcorpse!
Undertaker: I know, and we saw them three times. Hey, just like
Angelcorpse!
Slitzkrieg:
You saw them three times, I only saw them twice.
You saw them three times, I only saw them twice.
The
Undertaker: Oh right, Take that! And bands of yore, take heed – when
you reform, just play the album everyone wants to hear, and you’ll
have a perfect set. Slumber of Sullen Eyes is a perfect specimen of
Finnish Death Metal.
Undertaker: Oh right, Take that! And bands of yore, take heed – when
you reform, just play the album everyone wants to hear, and you’ll
have a perfect set. Slumber of Sullen Eyes is a perfect specimen of
Finnish Death Metal.
Slitzkrieg:
Agreed. For Finnish Death Metal, Demigod stands out as the tip of the
spear.
Agreed. For Finnish Death Metal, Demigod stands out as the tip of the
spear.
Dominus
– A View to the Dim
– A View to the Dim
The
Undertaker: Holy shit, I love this album.
Undertaker: Holy shit, I love this album.
Slitzkrieg:
How in the fuck did this become Volbeat? Anyway, this is the best
Bolt Thrower album, hands down.
How in the fuck did this become Volbeat? Anyway, this is the best
Bolt Thrower album, hands down.
The
Undertaker: Ha! Yes, but even heavier. Better vocals, too! “Tears
in Black” is a Metalenema favorite.
Undertaker: Ha! Yes, but even heavier. Better vocals, too! “Tears
in Black” is a Metalenema favorite.
Slitzkrieg:
It just goes to show that one great album is far more essential than
3 or 4 decent ones.
It just goes to show that one great album is far more essential than
3 or 4 decent ones.
The
Undertaker: I wonder what would happen if I went to a Volbeat show
and threw copies of View to the Dim at them?
Undertaker: I wonder what would happen if I went to a Volbeat show
and threw copies of View to the Dim at them?
Slitzkrieg:
The joke would be on you, those are rare.
The joke would be on you, those are rare.
Emperor
– In the Nightside Eclipse
– In the Nightside Eclipse
The
Undertaker: This is another flagship album for the show. It was
distrubuted in the States by Century Media, so we actually got a
promo copy in the mail from the label. That was surreal.
Undertaker: This is another flagship album for the show. It was
distrubuted in the States by Century Media, so we actually got a
promo copy in the mail from the label. That was surreal.
Slitzkrieg:
Back when Century Media wasn’t complete shit, haha
Back when Century Media wasn’t complete shit, haha
The
Undertaker: Just mostly – they released Stuck Mojo right around this
time. Here’s a great story – I actually got a phone interview with
Ihsahn in 1997 because of Century Media – this was for Anthems to the
Welkin at Dusk (which we also played a lot). And talk about
embarrassing, I didn’t realize Ihsahn was the primary guitarist!
Undertaker: Just mostly – they released Stuck Mojo right around this
time. Here’s a great story – I actually got a phone interview with
Ihsahn in 1997 because of Century Media – this was for Anthems to the
Welkin at Dusk (which we also played a lot). And talk about
embarrassing, I didn’t realize Ihsahn was the primary guitarist!
Slitzkrieg:
You done goofed that one.
You done goofed that one.
The
Undertaker: I had never seen any photos of them performing, Youtube
didn’t exist yet, and I simply had no idea. Everyone was always
talking about Samoth because he went to jail for church arson.
Undertaker: I had never seen any photos of them performing, Youtube
didn’t exist yet, and I simply had no idea. Everyone was always
talking about Samoth because he went to jail for church arson.
Then
the promo video came out and of course there was Ihsahn playing
guitar.
the promo video came out and of course there was Ihsahn playing
guitar.
So
in the interview I asked him, “So Samoth is back in the fold,
but did you start playing to fill the gap in the meantime?”
in the interview I asked him, “So Samoth is back in the fold,
but did you start playing to fill the gap in the meantime?”
He
had no idea what I meant, and I realized my mistake and changed the
direction of the question. Needless to say, we didn’t air that part.
had no idea what I meant, and I realized my mistake and changed the
direction of the question. Needless to say, we didn’t air that part.
Slitzkrieg:
Ah, editing.
Ah, editing.
The
Undertaker:At the time, I had to do it with a minidisc 4-track
machine. You don’t know how easy you have it !Jesus, I’m starting to
talk like I survived the Holocaust or something.
Undertaker:At the time, I had to do it with a minidisc 4-track
machine. You don’t know how easy you have it !Jesus, I’m starting to
talk like I survived the Holocaust or something.
Slitzkrieg:
“Back in my day, we had to walk 15 miles to buy or records!”
“Back in my day, we had to walk 15 miles to buy or records!”
The
Undertaker: No, we just drove 500 miles round trip to do it. You
would have driven to the moon and back about 5 times to acquire all
the CDs you’ve ordered online if it was 1996!
Undertaker: No, we just drove 500 miles round trip to do it. You
would have driven to the moon and back about 5 times to acquire all
the CDs you’ve ordered online if it was 1996!
Slitzkrieg:
But it shows the dedication of the underground throughout the 80s and
90s.
But it shows the dedication of the underground throughout the 80s and
90s.
The
Undertaker: Yes, it was fun and I miss it a lot.
Undertaker: Yes, it was fun and I miss it a lot.
Excel
– Split Image
– Split Image
Slitzkrieg:
Our travel anthem is on this!
Our travel anthem is on this!
The
Undertaker: For those of you who don’t know (and those who do and
think were morons) we usually sing the beginning of “Your life,
My life” incessantly when flying somewhere together.
Undertaker: For those of you who don’t know (and those who do and
think were morons) we usually sing the beginning of “Your life,
My life” incessantly when flying somewhere together.
Slitzkrieg:
And the main riff to it as well.
And the main riff to it as well.
The
Undertaker: We’re obnoxious.
Undertaker: We’re obnoxious.
Slitzkrieg:
We can be.
We can be.
The
Undertaker: This album is so fantastically teenaged and ’80s, it’s
just amazing!
Undertaker: This album is so fantastically teenaged and ’80s, it’s
just amazing!
Slitzkrieg:
And it’s all kinds of catchy!
And it’s all kinds of catchy!
The
Undertaker: This is an album I will always recommend. You just have
to get past the airbrushed aesthetic that makes it resemble an ICP
album in retrospect. I can’t wear their shirts for the same reason!
Undertaker: This is an album I will always recommend. You just have
to get past the airbrushed aesthetic that makes it resemble an ICP
album in retrospect. I can’t wear their shirts for the same reason!
Slitzkrieg:
We actually got to see Excel a couple years ago out in Ventura,
California. When they played there was a huge pit. t one point a
fight broke out and the bouncers started to pull a few people out
which ended up becoming this flurry of people moving towards the
doors. At this point, some guy decided to up the ante by jumping off
a railing into the middle of this mass of bouncers trying to keep
order. And to top it all off, this kid started running up to everyone
who was getting hauled out and handing them “Bernie Sanders 2016”
flyers. You can’t make this shit up.
We actually got to see Excel a couple years ago out in Ventura,
California. When they played there was a huge pit. t one point a
fight broke out and the bouncers started to pull a few people out
which ended up becoming this flurry of people moving towards the
doors. At this point, some guy decided to up the ante by jumping off
a railing into the middle of this mass of bouncers trying to keep
order. And to top it all off, this kid started running up to everyone
who was getting hauled out and handing them “Bernie Sanders 2016”
flyers. You can’t make this shit up.
The
Undertaker: It would have been hilarious if Sanders had won, then
that kid would have felt very validated in his efforts.
Undertaker: It would have been hilarious if Sanders had won, then
that kid would have felt very validated in his efforts.
Slitzkrieg:
“HERE’S HOW BERNIE CAN STILL WIN!”
“HERE’S HOW BERNIE CAN STILL WIN!”
Gehenna
– Malice
– Malice
Slitzkrieg:
Heading back to Norway now for a band that’s surprisingly not as
known.
Heading back to Norway now for a band that’s surprisingly not as
known.
The
Undertaker: Which is a shame. They weren’t on a great label then, but
amazingly we got a promo of this one as well.
Undertaker: Which is a shame. They weren’t on a great label then, but
amazingly we got a promo of this one as well.
Slitzkrieg:
It shows how important a good label was back then.
It shows how important a good label was back then.
The
Undertaker: We were really surprised at just how good it was. Great
performances, great arrangements, great production. This and Emperor
are the two keyboard-driven albums that I still enjoy without
exception. So much of that stuff has aged terribly.
Undertaker: We were really surprised at just how good it was. Great
performances, great arrangements, great production. This and Emperor
are the two keyboard-driven albums that I still enjoy without
exception. So much of that stuff has aged terribly.
Slitzkrieg:
It goes to show that when tastefully done, anything can stand the
test of time.
It goes to show that when tastefully done, anything can stand the
test of time.
The
Undertaker: I speculate that if it hadn’t been for the rise of Dimmu
Borgir, the Gehenna approach would have prevailed.
Undertaker: I speculate that if it hadn’t been for the rise of Dimmu
Borgir, the Gehenna approach would have prevailed.
Slitzkrieg:
Now it’s just bad video game music. For shame!
Now it’s just bad video game music. For shame!
Goreaphobia
– Omen of Masochism
– Omen of Masochism
The
Undertaker: Here’s another really good but underrated release.
Undertaker: Here’s another really good but underrated release.
Slitzkrieg:
Some of the darker US death metal that paved the way for a lot of
others.
Some of the darker US death metal that paved the way for a lot of
others.
The
Undertaker: It’s like if Morbid Angel never moved past Abominations
of Desolation. They had leather pants, pointy guitars, and
everything. Did you get to see Goreaphobia?
Undertaker: It’s like if Morbid Angel never moved past Abominations
of Desolation. They had leather pants, pointy guitars, and
everything. Did you get to see Goreaphobia?
Slitzkrieg:
Nope. They broke up before I had a chance.
Nope. They broke up before I had a chance.
The
Undertaker: Finally! A band you missed out on!
Undertaker: Finally! A band you missed out on!
Slitzkrieg:
There are plenty of bands on this list that I haven’t seen!
There are plenty of bands on this list that I haven’t seen!
The
Undertaker: Well I haven’t seen half of them either! Ain’t no Dominus
concerts in the US!
Undertaker: Well I haven’t seen half of them either! Ain’t no Dominus
concerts in the US!
Slitzkrieg:
Nor Abigor!
Nor Abigor!
The
Undertaker: Or anywhere else, ever!
Undertaker: Or anywhere else, ever!
Immolation
– Dawn of Possession
– Dawn of Possession
Slitzkrieg:
Now on to one of the unbeatable heavyweights.
Now on to one of the unbeatable heavyweights.
The
Undertaker: Immolation is a top-tier band, and one of the
cornerstones of Metalenema. We were basically a two-man Immolation PR
shop leading up to Here in After. We even did a live episode in ’96
where Ross called in and co-hosted the show over the phone.
Undertaker: Immolation is a top-tier band, and one of the
cornerstones of Metalenema. We were basically a two-man Immolation PR
shop leading up to Here in After. We even did a live episode in ’96
where Ross called in and co-hosted the show over the phone.
Slitzkrieg:
All before my time, yet again!
All before my time, yet again!
The
Undertaker: Then when he sent us the demo tracks for what became
“Here In After”, we were totally blown away. It says a lot
about them that we still playing them all the time, and that they
just released a new album that is really generating excitement.
Undertaker: Then when he sent us the demo tracks for what became
“Here In After”, we were totally blown away. It says a lot
about them that we still playing them all the time, and that they
just released a new album that is really generating excitement.
Slitzkrieg:
But Dawn of Possession is, was, and will always be quintessential.
But Dawn of Possession is, was, and will always be quintessential.
The
Undertaker: I think I’ll throw it on right now!
Undertaker: I think I’ll throw it on right now!
Immortal
– Pure Holocaust
– Pure Holocaust
Slitzkrieg:
Oh man, this album is so amazing.
Oh man, this album is so amazing.
The
Undertaker: It really is.
Undertaker: It really is.
Slitzkrieg:
It always amazes me that’s Abbath doing the drums for it.
It always amazes me that’s Abbath doing the drums for it.
The
Undertaker: We played the shit out of Immortal’s first three, they
were one of those bands we introduced to the regional scene
Undertaker: We played the shit out of Immortal’s first three, they
were one of those bands we introduced to the regional scene
Too
bad these days it’s just “Durr Holocaust”.
bad these days it’s just “Durr Holocaust”.
Slitzkrieg:
This album is so evil they had to sneak in a tribute to the Star Wars
“Imperial March” theme in the title track!
This album is so evil they had to sneak in a tribute to the Star Wars
“Imperial March” theme in the title track!
The
Undertaker: Yeah, and nobody complained. Audacity usually wins the
day.
Undertaker: Yeah, and nobody complained. Audacity usually wins the
day.
Incantation
– Onward to Golgotha
– Onward to Golgotha
The
Undertaker: People forget this came out a solid year after Dawn of
Possession I love this album, but back then many of us regarded it as
a companion piece to Dawn. That is not a criticism in the least,
though.
Undertaker: People forget this came out a solid year after Dawn of
Possession I love this album, but back then many of us regarded it as
a companion piece to Dawn. That is not a criticism in the least,
though.
Slitzkrieg:
Wasn’t this album a joint effort by many people in the the
northeastern scene?
Wasn’t this album a joint effort by many people in the the
northeastern scene?
The
Undertaker: Oh yeah, a lot of people were involved. Will from
Mortician sang on the 7 inches, and Paul Ledney of Profanatica was a
founding member. Ross and Bob of Immolation were even supposed to be
involved. Up until a month ago I had no idea the very first official
Incantation rehearsal was John on guitar, Bob on guitar, Ross on bass
and vocals, and Ledney on drums!
Undertaker: Oh yeah, a lot of people were involved. Will from
Mortician sang on the 7 inches, and Paul Ledney of Profanatica was a
founding member. Ross and Bob of Immolation were even supposed to be
involved. Up until a month ago I had no idea the very first official
Incantation rehearsal was John on guitar, Bob on guitar, Ross on bass
and vocals, and Ledney on drums!
Slitzkrieg:
Oh wow! A death metal supergroups!
Oh wow! A death metal supergroups!
The
Undertaker: Yeah, everyone who mattered touched Onward in some way or
other. That’s part of its magic. Can you imagine how nuts people
would get over that lineup today?
Undertaker: Yeah, everyone who mattered touched Onward in some way or
other. That’s part of its magic. Can you imagine how nuts people
would get over that lineup today?
Slitzkrieg:
Nobody ever did a better version of the cavernous sound, and so many
bands have cloned it now.
Nobody ever did a better version of the cavernous sound, and so many
bands have cloned it now.
The
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s unfortunate. And boring. Onward to Golgotha
will always be the first and best.
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s unfortunate. And boring. Onward to Golgotha
will always be the first and best.
Kreator
– Extreme Aggression
– Extreme Aggression
Slitzkrieg:
Now to Germany for one of the most violent Teutonic thrashers.
Now to Germany for one of the most violent Teutonic thrashers.
The
Undertaker: Yeah, but not the album that everyone would expect. And
yes, yes, I like Pleasure to Kill plenty.
Undertaker: Yeah, but not the album that everyone would expect. And
yes, yes, I like Pleasure to Kill plenty.
Slitzkrieg:
Why Extreme Aggression specifically?
Why Extreme Aggression specifically?
The
Undertaker: It just has a very actualized quality, and it feels
timeless. It’s definitely a product of late ’80s thrash, but it’s
damn well played and excellent production. The songs are catchy as
hell, but not obvious or contrived (like all their current output).
“Betrayer” alone is the case for it!
Undertaker: It just has a very actualized quality, and it feels
timeless. It’s definitely a product of late ’80s thrash, but it’s
damn well played and excellent production. The songs are catchy as
hell, but not obvious or contrived (like all their current output).
“Betrayer” alone is the case for it!
Slitzkrieg:
Too bad that song accurately describes them now.
Too bad that song accurately describes them now.
The
Undertaker: Ow! There’s a burn unit in Essen that will be receiving a
new patient shortly!
Undertaker: Ow! There’s a burn unit in Essen that will be receiving a
new patient shortly!
Slitzkrieg:
All while Mille laughs his way to the bank.
All while Mille laughs his way to the bank.
The
Undertaker: He probably whines and grumbles instead, that’s what he’s
best at now. But no matter what, Kreator’s early works stand the test
of time.
Undertaker: He probably whines and grumbles instead, that’s what he’s
best at now. But no matter what, Kreator’s early works stand the test
of time.
Macabre
– Gloom
– Gloom
The
Undertaker: This album is such a riot.
Undertaker: This album is such a riot.
Slitzkrieg:
And one that people either love or hate.
And one that people either love or hate.
The
Undertaker: We love it, for the record.
Undertaker: We love it, for the record.
Slitzkrieg:
Very unconventional and so fast!
Very unconventional and so fast!
The
Undertaker: Funny, sick, and over the top, too.
Undertaker: Funny, sick, and over the top, too.
Slitzkrieg:
Plus it’s perfect for our show because we can always sneak a track
in. They’re all super-short.
Plus it’s perfect for our show because we can always sneak a track
in. They’re all super-short.
The
Undertaker: Like most bands of the era, they kind of lost what made
them so charming over time.
Undertaker: Like most bands of the era, they kind of lost what made
them so charming over time.
Slitzkrieg:
It gets swept away with youth sometimes.
It gets swept away with youth sometimes.
The
Undertaker: God, that’s depressing. Let’s talk about another album.
Undertaker: God, that’s depressing. Let’s talk about another album.
Molested
– Blod-draum
– Blod-draum
The
Undertaker: Officially the common favorite of Slitzkrieg and myself.
Undertaker: Officially the common favorite of Slitzkrieg and myself.
Slitzkrieg:
We could take up an entire magazine talking about this one. I may be
one of the biggest fans out there.
We could take up an entire magazine talking about this one. I may be
one of the biggest fans out there.
The
Undertaker: This made it onto our show upon release. We actually got
their follow-up EP as a promo first, and found the full-length later.
We had no idea what it was, but it blew our heads off with insane
death metal that really forged its own path. I wish they had done
just one more LP!
Undertaker: This made it onto our show upon release. We actually got
their follow-up EP as a promo first, and found the full-length later.
We had no idea what it was, but it blew our heads off with insane
death metal that really forged its own path. I wish they had done
just one more LP!
Slitzkrieg:
That’s some of the magic of this band, they had such a short career
and yet the two things they put out are really different from
everything else. It’s like Deicide’s Legion that way.
That’s some of the magic of this band, they had such a short career
and yet the two things they put out are really different from
everything else. It’s like Deicide’s Legion that way.
The
Undertaker: I feel like we have publicly championed this band more
than anyone in the underground.
Undertaker: I feel like we have publicly championed this band more
than anyone in the underground.
Slitzkrieg:
Yeah, and I have the band tattoo to prove it!
Yeah, and I have the band tattoo to prove it!
Morbid
Angel – Altars of Madness
Angel – Altars of Madness
Slitzkrieg:
This is THE death metal album.
This is THE death metal album.
The
Undertaker: Even now, after all the horrible things they’ve done, it
still can’t be ruined! Altars is such an amazing display of refined
talent, and a truly quintessential intersection of death and black
metal
Undertaker: Even now, after all the horrible things they’ve done, it
still can’t be ruined! Altars is such an amazing display of refined
talent, and a truly quintessential intersection of death and black
metal
Slitzkrieg:
First and best, it even showed up before Deicide.
First and best, it even showed up before Deicide.
The
Undertaker: In 1989, most bands were still trying to clone Darkness
Descends! And no matter what revisionists say (they’re usually wrong
anyway), this is the best Morbid Angel album!
Undertaker: In 1989, most bands were still trying to clone Darkness
Descends! And no matter what revisionists say (they’re usually wrong
anyway), this is the best Morbid Angel album!
Slitzkrieg:
Yeah, and don’t try to act like you heard “Abominations”
first. Unless you’re Wes Weaver, you probably didn’t!
Yeah, and don’t try to act like you heard “Abominations”
first. Unless you’re Wes Weaver, you probably didn’t!
Nastrond
– Toteslaut
– Toteslaut
The
Undertaker: This is a truly weird entry, which is why I like it and
always go back to it.
Undertaker: This is a truly weird entry, which is why I like it and
always go back to it.
Slitzkrieg:
Yeah, Kali Yuga fascists.
Yeah, Kali Yuga fascists.
The
Undertaker: When I saw that promo photo of Draugr holding a sword
while covered in blood, I knew that band was for me.
Undertaker: When I saw that promo photo of Draugr holding a sword
while covered in blood, I knew that band was for me.
Slitzkrieg:
Definitely the spirit of black metal. They don’t make it like that
anymore.
Definitely the spirit of black metal. They don’t make it like that
anymore.
The
Undertaker: Seriously, they don’t.
Undertaker: Seriously, they don’t.
Necromantia
– Scarlet Evil Witching Black
– Scarlet Evil Witching Black
The
Undertaker: This is easily the best all-bass metal album in history.
Undertaker: This is easily the best all-bass metal album in history.
Slitzkrieg:
It’s that unique Greek sound black metal sound, but really epic.
It’s that unique Greek sound black metal sound, but really epic.
The
Undertaker: Yes, very anthemic. This is much better than Across the
Fiery Path. I simply don’t get that one at all. Scarlet Evil… is
one of the Greek Gods. I reach for it again and again.
Undertaker: Yes, very anthemic. This is much better than Across the
Fiery Path. I simply don’t get that one at all. Scarlet Evil… is
one of the Greek Gods. I reach for it again and again.
Slitzkrieg:
Up until a couple years ago you could only get the reissue of it with
a different artwork that had a very busty woman on the cover. I
called it Scarlet Evil Bitchin’ Rack. Luckily Osmose properly
reissued it a couple years ago with the original artwork.
Up until a couple years ago you could only get the reissue of it with
a different artwork that had a very busty woman on the cover. I
called it Scarlet Evil Bitchin’ Rack. Luckily Osmose properly
reissued it a couple years ago with the original artwork.
The
Undertaker: The wacko original cover art was part of its greatness.
Now all they need is a shirt of it! Anyway, alongside the classics
from Rotting Christ and Varathron, this album stands out as one of
the best of that scene.
Undertaker: The wacko original cover art was part of its greatness.
Now all they need is a shirt of it! Anyway, alongside the classics
from Rotting Christ and Varathron, this album stands out as one of
the best of that scene.
Necrovore
– Divus De Mortuus
– Divus De Mortuus
Slitzkrieg:
A serious Texas classic.
A serious Texas classic.
The
Undertaker: In the FM days, Jon Deplachette (the band’s founder)
actually got my phone number and called me when he moved back to
Texas. He was reforming the band (this was 1996) and wanted us to
spread the word. Naturally, I was fucking freaked out to hear from
him out of nowhere.
Undertaker: In the FM days, Jon Deplachette (the band’s founder)
actually got my phone number and called me when he moved back to
Texas. He was reforming the band (this was 1996) and wanted us to
spread the word. Naturally, I was fucking freaked out to hear from
him out of nowhere.
Slitzkrieg:
I’m sure that was a heart attack and a half.
I’m sure that was a heart attack and a half.
The
Undertaker: Yeah, I only knew him by reputation. I grew up in San
Antonio, and Necrovore was god-tier there. We actually met in person
at an Immolation show in Austin a few months later in early ’97.
During the set, the show’s original co-host and I were up at the
front going crazy for Immolation, we felt someone leaning into us
really hard. When we looked back, it was Jon! He was facing away from
the stage and he had his head thrown back between our shoulders and
was screaming, “AUUUUUUUGHHHH!” in the Necrovore voice. It
was insane!
Undertaker: Yeah, I only knew him by reputation. I grew up in San
Antonio, and Necrovore was god-tier there. We actually met in person
at an Immolation show in Austin a few months later in early ’97.
During the set, the show’s original co-host and I were up at the
front going crazy for Immolation, we felt someone leaning into us
really hard. When we looked back, it was Jon! He was facing away from
the stage and he had his head thrown back between our shoulders and
was screaming, “AUUUUUUUGHHHH!” in the Necrovore voice. It
was insane!
Slitzkrieg:
I was 6 when this was happening. That’s really one of those magic
metal moments. Where do you go from there?
I was 6 when this was happening. That’s really one of those magic
metal moments. Where do you go from there?
The
Undertaker: You don’t. Let’s talk about something else instead!
Undertaker: You don’t. Let’s talk about something else instead!
Nuclear
Assault – Survive
Assault – Survive
Slitzkrieg:
This is the best Nuclear Assault album.
This is the best Nuclear Assault album.
The
Undertaker: I totally agree! Get over it everybody! I’ve always loved
this album. I was so scared I would never see them live, and it took
me until 2016 to do it!
Undertaker: I totally agree! Get over it everybody! I’ve always loved
this album. I was so scared I would never see them live, and it took
me until 2016 to do it!
Slitzkrieg:
And we saw them twice, once on each coast!
And we saw them twice, once on each coast!
The
Undertaker: Yeah, go fucking figure you saw them the same two times I
did! Pretty much Nuclear Assault is a big part of the thrash in our
“Death Black Thrash” tag line.
Undertaker: Yeah, go fucking figure you saw them the same two times I
did! Pretty much Nuclear Assault is a big part of the thrash in our
“Death Black Thrash” tag line.
Slitzkrieg:
And Razor.
And Razor.
The
Undertaker: Violent thrash!
Undertaker: Violent thrash!
Slitzkrieg:
The only kind that matters!
The only kind that matters!
Pestilence
– Consuming Impulse
– Consuming Impulse
The
Undertaker: Regular people talk about remembering what they were
doing on 9/11, but I remember the first time I heard this album.
Undertaker: Regular people talk about remembering what they were
doing on 9/11, but I remember the first time I heard this album.
Slitzkrieg:
I was sitting in my dorm in San Antonio realizing there was a whole
new world of death metal I’d never known about. And it’s your fault!
I was sitting in my dorm in San Antonio realizing there was a whole
new world of death metal I’d never known about. And it’s your fault!
The
Undertaker: I’ll gladly take the blame. The funny thing is that I was
also in San Antonio when I heard it upon release. I actually heard
this before Deicide or Morbid Angel.
Undertaker: I’ll gladly take the blame. The funny thing is that I was
also in San Antonio when I heard it upon release. I actually heard
this before Deicide or Morbid Angel.
Slitzkrieg:
Oh wow. So it was a gateway drug of sorts!
Oh wow. So it was a gateway drug of sorts!
The
Undertaker: It”s really amazing, start to finish.
Undertaker: It”s really amazing, start to finish.
Slitzkrieg:
Just agonizingly killer death metal with no bland songs whatsoever.
Just agonizingly killer death metal with no bland songs whatsoever.
The
Undertaker: No way. Consuming… is one of an elite group of albums
that demonstrates why riffcraft is everything.
Undertaker: No way. Consuming… is one of an elite group of albums
that demonstrates why riffcraft is everything.
Slitzkrieg:
Which is part of why we aren’t fans of “cavern-core” death metal.
Which is part of why we aren’t fans of “cavern-core” death metal.
The
Undertaker: Miasmal death metal is total boredom. Stop making it, all
of you! Listen to Consuming Impulse and get truly inspired!
Undertaker: Miasmal death metal is total boredom. Stop making it, all
of you! Listen to Consuming Impulse and get truly inspired!
Protector
– A Shedding of Skin
– A Shedding of Skin
The
Undertaker: Talk about heavy death metal
Undertaker: Talk about heavy death metal
Slitzkrieg:
This band has a healthy reputation, but they should have been bigger,
especially with this album!
This band has a healthy reputation, but they should have been bigger,
especially with this album!
The
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s ungodly heavy, and so perfectly performed.
There’s that German engineering at work!
Undertaker: Yeah, it’s ungodly heavy, and so perfectly performed.
There’s that German engineering at work!
Slitzkrieg:
They’re also bad to listen to in a sports car while you’re stuck in
California traffic.
They’re also bad to listen to in a sports car while you’re stuck in
California traffic.
The
Undertaker: Oh right, I almost forgot about that drive. Why didn’t we
jam Protector on the way back, too?
Undertaker: Oh right, I almost forgot about that drive. Why didn’t we
jam Protector on the way back, too?
Slitzkrieg:
I’ve no idea. We’ll fix that the next time we go back!
I’ve no idea. We’ll fix that the next time we go back!
Rotting
Christ – Non Serviam
Christ – Non Serviam
Slitzkrieg:
The album that started everything for them, along with Thy Mighty
Contract.
The album that started everything for them, along with Thy Mighty
Contract.
The
Undertaker: The one they signed with Century Media?
Undertaker: The one they signed with Century Media?
Slitzkrieg:
That, along with the album. This was the first thing I heard of
Rotting Christ because my friend used to play it incessantly back
when we were in college.
That, along with the album. This was the first thing I heard of
Rotting Christ because my friend used to play it incessantly back
when we were in college.
The
Undertaker: Back when this came out, I bought it in Houston for the
low, low price of $25. Re-editions have been another magic carpets
for you ungrateful brats! “Oh, I wish I could have seen them
live! Hey, they reformed and now I did! Oh, their best albums cost
$100 on eBay! Hey, some label just re-released it for $10!”
Undertaker: Back when this came out, I bought it in Houston for the
low, low price of $25. Re-editions have been another magic carpets
for you ungrateful brats! “Oh, I wish I could have seen them
live! Hey, they reformed and now I did! Oh, their best albums cost
$100 on eBay! Hey, some label just re-released it for $10!”
Slitzkrieg:
Hey, at least we’re still buying physical copies!
Hey, at least we’re still buying physical copies!
The
Undertaker: That’s true, you should be acknowledged for that. Anyway,
this album and Necromantia’s Scarlet Evil… are total gems of Greek
black metal.
Undertaker: That’s true, you should be acknowledged for that. Anyway,
this album and Necromantia’s Scarlet Evil… are total gems of Greek
black metal.
Slayer
– South of Heaven
– South of Heaven
Slitzkrieg:
Nope, not Reign in Blood.
Nope, not Reign in Blood.
The
Undertaker: Even though we play that one plenty as well. South of
Heaven has such a weird magic to it. It’s violent, but also creepy.
Undertaker: Even though we play that one plenty as well. South of
Heaven has such a weird magic to it. It’s violent, but also creepy.
Slitzkrieg:
It’s definitely their darkest album. The ending to “Mandatory
Suicide” legitimately scared the hell out of the me the first time
I heard it.
It’s definitely their darkest album. The ending to “Mandatory
Suicide” legitimately scared the hell out of the me the first time
I heard it.
The
Undertaker: I daresay this is the best artistic statement Slayer ever
made – less revolutionary, but more compelling.
Undertaker: I daresay this is the best artistic statement Slayer ever
made – less revolutionary, but more compelling.
SOD
– Speak English or Die
– Speak English or Die
The
Undertaker: Has any other band in this style ever topped SOD?
Undertaker: Has any other band in this style ever topped SOD?
Slitzkrieg:
Nope, never equaled either.
Nope, never equaled either.
The
Undertaker: Classic crossover, bar none. And that guitar tone!
There’s nothing like it anywhere. And it’s 32 years old!
Undertaker: Classic crossover, bar none. And that guitar tone!
There’s nothing like it anywhere. And it’s 32 years old!
Slitzkrieg:
Damn, this album is old enough to have kids and a mortgage!
Damn, this album is old enough to have kids and a mortgage!
Voivod
– Killing Technology
– Killing Technology
The
Undertaker: Best Voivod.
Undertaker: Best Voivod.
Slitzkrieg:
Most of Voivod’s output is good in one regard or other.
Most of Voivod’s output is good in one regard or other.
The
Undertaker: But Killing… is the best intersection of all their
good ideas.
Undertaker: But Killing… is the best intersection of all their
good ideas.
Slitzkrieg:
This is definitely the pinnacle of the classic sound.
This is definitely the pinnacle of the classic sound.
The
Undertaker: Yes, still fast but also weird, avant garde and really
different.
Undertaker: Yes, still fast but also weird, avant garde and really
different.
Slitzkrieg:
Truly one of a kind.
Truly one of a kind.
The
Undertaker: I don’t think you truly understand metal if you can’t get
into this album, or Voivod in general for that matter.
Undertaker: I don’t think you truly understand metal if you can’t get
into this album, or Voivod in general for that matter.
Slitzkrieg:
I’m sure some dissenter out there is thinking, “I don’t need
that album, its not good” and to them we say, “WE DON’T
NEED YOU!”
I’m sure some dissenter out there is thinking, “I don’t need
that album, its not good” and to them we say, “WE DON’T
NEED YOU!”
The
Undertaker: Good night, everybody!
Undertaker: Good night, everybody!