The Horde: Vinyl re-releases

Another edition of the horde, this time we analyze some vinyl re-releases that you wish you had.

Thergothon - Stream from the Heavens

Thergothon, the Finnish Funeral doom legends from Kaarina who made one single LP in '94 titled, 'Stream from the Heavens.' Largely considered one of the pioneers of the Funeral doom genre, I'd say it would be more accurate to say that they ARE the pioneers of the Funeral doom genere, especially considering this album was originally recorded in the autumn of '92. It first received the final treatment back in '04, via Painiac Records, though limited to just 500 copies and I'd imagine quickly sold-out! This version I have here is the '13 re-re-press by Seventh Rule Recordings. I'm really not sure how much the layout differs from the original, but the cover is at least slightly different from the first CD pressing. The inside is just some of the lyrics and a band photo, though its all quite awesome. Even more awesome is the album itself, which I probably shouldn't even have to explain is an essential doom release. Unfortunately though, the recording presented on this LP hardly sounds remastered, nor is the sound loud and dynamic as I'd prefer it. A shame, but its good to own this album nonetheless.



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Abhorrence - Completely Vulgar

Most people know Finnish death metal legends, Abhorrence, but for those that didn't there's the 'Completely Vulgar' LP to introduce them. Spanning two LPs with quite possibly the coolest layout and such ever (a 16-page booklet of old school awesomeness to be precise), the collection contains the bands EP, demo, a live bootleg and an assortment of rehearsal tracks. I'm not sure how many pressings were made of my version, which is the standard edition, but there is a Blood & Vomit (Red/Green) Wax that comes with a patch as well as everything the standard edition comes with. Abhorrence will surely a band ahead of their time and are one of the first death metal bands to explore a more murky darker toned style of death metal, which would a few years down the road be perfected by Incantation. Abhorrence never recorded a full-length, though in a way the Amorphis EP, 'Privilege of Evil' could be seen as the continuation of Abhorrence. At any rate, Svart Records work on this LP absolutely defines excellence. If only all LP re-releases could be this immaculate...



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Amorphis - Tales from the Thousand Lakes

This is secretly the Finnish Vinyl re-release of The Horde, haha, no..., but will continue with Amorphis' masterful 'Tales from the Thousand Lakes' either way. I'll spare you my rant on how much I absolutely love every single second of this album and how its one of the most influential records ever, because, well you know its true. Released as a double LP on both white and blue colored vinyls, I can honestly say I had a very special feeling in my trousers soon as the needle hit the wax and 'Thousand Lakes' chimed loudly out of my speakers. The gatefold sleeve doesn't contain much in difference from the original CD press, but either way having a gigantic vinyl sized picture of that mean ass bird sure is cool. Additionally all the lyrics are included, but its all about the vinyls, man. Just absolutely gorgeous looking! The 'Black Winter Day' EP and the silly Doors cover are also included, just like the CD re-press, which is fine, but a part of me wishes Relapse had just focused on the original album material. I can also admit that I just love starring at the cover. I never really spent much time looking at the CD, but seeing this larger version of this wonderful landscape and the depth and beauty it gives is really something.

Finally I should mention that Relapse also re-released 'The Karelian Isthmus' in a similar fashion, though I haven't yet picked this one up for some reason. Future edition of The Horde, yeah you know it!



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Agalloch - Ashes Against the Grain

While its surely true that 'The Mantle' gave Agalloch some serious momentum in the heavy metal underground back in '02, it is however 'Ashes Against the Grain' that made them a household name. This 2LP re-release is a thing of absolute beauty too. Each vinyl comes in its own sleeve, with text and lyrics, as well the gatefold sleeve opens to reveal large gorgeous photos of the four members, and I don't believe these shots were previously used either. While I was only able to get my hands on the stand black vinyl pressing when this was release, there's also a clear orange as well as a clear/orange splatter version, which I can only imagine go for a nice bundle on eBay. Either way, only a 1000 copies of this were made so its pretty rad to have one. In fact, I have the vinyl re-releases of the first three Agalloch albums and if I was ever desperate for cash I could probably sell them to pay my rent, though I'd much prefer keeping them and enjoying them as I have for many years now.

The true splendor of these vinyls however is the lengthy bonus track, 'Scars of the Shattered Sky (Our Fortress Has Burned to the Ground),' which runs for 19:27. I'd be selling it short if I said it was one of the best Agalloch songs, no, its honestly one of the best songs ever. If you haven't heard it I'd strongly suggest looking it up, though remember its only available on these vinyls and 'The Compendium Archive,' which was limited to just 250 copies.



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Fabio Frizzi - Zombie Flesh Eaters

Switching gears from the metal re-releases we go onwards to horror movie soundtracks. Death Waltz re-release of Zombie Flesh Eaters or Zombie or Zombi or Zombie II or whatever the fuck you want to call it, is a pretty cool release. It features Fabio Frizzi's entire soundtrack, which is like any soundtrack - diverse. Everything ranging from goddamn Caribbean music to weird tribal stuff and the more eerie dark synth pieces that made the movie all the more chillin' to view. Of course, its all about the main theme, here known as 'Sequence 8' its the most heard song in the movie and also absolutely one of my all-time favorite songs. I guess if you've heard it you know, but if not, for me personally the song has an amazing atmosphere that's everything from being dark, beautiful and melancholy all at once, which is a bit rare. Sure, its just a simple and already quite old synth piece, but what a masterpiece it truly is. There are a few other darker synth pieces on the soundtrack that are notable and the other stuff, well, it is what it is, I suppose.

The insert contains notes and thoughts from LP artist Graham Humphreys and Stephen Thrower, whom used to play with Coil in the 80's and more recently and author on horror movies. The back of the LP has similar thoughts from composer Fabio Frizzi. If the music doesn't grab you there's also the gigantic poster it comes with, which should really be framed and hung on my wall, but I'm being hopelessly slow with it.



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And so ends another edition of 'The Horde.' Perhaps I'll work on the third edition soon and without a six month or so gap between this one and that one.