-Carpathian Forest-

Carpathian Forest needs no introduction; the Cult status surrounding this band in the True underground black metal scene since years is among the highest; despite a handful of releases in nearly 10 years of existence Carpathian Forest is one of the few living legends in a scene overcrowded by trendies and newcomers who have lately jumped on the black metal wagon. Emerged at first with the legendary demo tape 'Bloodlust & Perversion' (1992), when black metal was still unknown by the big mass and a music to fear, they received sudden enthusiastic responses from the whole underground. Their obsessive, morbid and grim sound has always been a firm trademark, and their key to the path of darkness. In 1993 the band released a second demo 'Journey through the cold moors of Svarttjern', showing also a new approach to atmospheric, but still glacial tunes. These tapes quickly became cult items in the whole underground tape traders network. One year later, the mighty Forest signed to Avantgarde Music and recorded their first mini album, the black metal classic 'Through chasm, caves and titan woods' (1995). This release placed C.F. straight up on the black metal elite's throne; the mCD/mLP was worldwide acclaimed and increased the cult status of this obscure duo. Then in 1998 Carpathian Forest came back with a release that hit the masses like a fist in the face. After three years spent in a mystical silence, the gods of true black metal came back with their long awaited full length album titled 'Black shining leather', an incredible follow up to their legendary previous releases. All the feedback that they received has probably pushed the band to create a new opus, 'Strange Old Brew' (produced by Terje Refsnes in Sound Suite studios), and a new one is yet to come - 'Morbid Fascination Of Death' - a second piece in this 2-set concept. Still though, there has been some changes within the band; Nordavind has left the band (no fuss about him leaving, it was a mutual agreement), and there is a new guest drummer - A. Kobro (from ... In The Woods). Also helping out is Tchort (ex-Emperor, ex-Satyricon, Blood Red Throne etc.) on guitar and now Vrangsinn (of World Destroyer) has taken over the duties of bassist and synth programmer Nordavind. But fear not (or perhaps you should!), Carpathian Forest are still as incredible as they've always been (if not even better)! There's a reason for the album 'Black Shining Leather' being a top seller at Avantgarde Music for 2 years, and something tells me that it will continue with their new album!