Slagmaur - Svin (DigiCD and LP Black Hate Productions)
You are now beeing introdused to a musical style and atmosphere hat
will revive the feelings you got to know
back in the days when this genre was discovered, when it was at its
coldest and most intense. Prepare yourself for a journey in time, which
will take your mind and your body back to the time when the Second Wave
Of Black Metal came crushing onto our shores.
As the second wave of black metal rolled back, the
scene has been filled with various types of metal that relates back
to black metal, some good and some bad.Slagmaur was conceived in the
late winter of 2006, mainly because the band´sleader and composer,
General Gribbsphiiser, wanted to make the kind of music he fell in love
with when he grew up. Namely True Norweigian Black Metal
The General spendt almost a year in search for that cold and hostile
atmosphere, and to find that he had to forget all about technical guitar-riffs
and blast-beats, and instead create his own style.
In his own words:
"The sounds has been arranged in a distorted audial enviroment
that makes the soundscape appear as twisted and sinister. This challenges
the listener to really get into the music, and too separate the different
elements inbedded in our compositions.Hopefully, this will make the
listeners create their own audial image on a subconscious level depending
on their state of mind."
In the beginning
Slagmaur started out as an one-man-band, but after a couple of months
the General recruited 2 new members; Aatselgribb, a multitalented musician,
got recruited as the vocalist in despite of being one of the General´s
sworn enemy´s.
The relationship between the two gets worse the longer they spend time
together. Mainly because of the General´s demands on the subjects
of dedication and commitment to Slagmaur and Aatselgribb´s total
lack of respect for the General´s requests. All the arguing and
fighting between the two, helps his voice sound even more cruel and
hateful than intended. The second and last member to be recruited was
Lt. Wardr.
The General coincidently met him at a consert. Lt. Wardr himself beeing
an one-man-band, liked the Generals philosophy on the matters of black
metal and how he intended his music to sound like. They listened to
eachothers music, and figured out that they could fight this battle
together. Lt. Wardr became responsible for Slagmaur´s cold and
monotonous percussion besides adding synths and effects. On Slagmaur´s
first demo there is also a whole song made by Lt.Wardr, that originally
was intended for his own band. This song appear as a hidden track on
"Svin" Both members got recruited during the recording of
"Svin"
Review by Bloodchamber Deutschland 
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Als ich zum ersten Mal in das Album "Svin" der norwegischen Band SLAGMAUR
hörte, war ich sehr verwirrt, denn was ich entgegen dem erwarteten und
propagierten "True Norwegian Black Metal" vorfand, war so ganz anders
als das, was dieser Begriff normalerweise bezeichnet. Nach ergiebiger
Recherche auf der Bandhomepage begann mich dieses musikalische Projekt,
das wohl nicht nur unkonventionell, sondern auch bewusst als ganz individuell
konzipiert wurde, sehr zu faszinieren.
Hinter der Band, die ursprünglich als Solo-Projekt startete, und dann
um zwei weitere Mitglieder bereichert wurde, welche ebenfalls in sehr
exzeptionelle und innovative Projekte involviert waren, steckt eine
eigene Philosophie, die Musik entgegen aller Konventionen interpretiert
und deswegen auch "True Norwegian Black Metal" für sich behauptet und
neu definiert. Um die Sache kurz zu machen, hier zusammenfassend ein
Auszug aus dem Manifest der Band, was jede weitere Erläuterung zu ersetzen
vermag:
Der Hörer wird gefordert "richtig" in die Musik einzutauchen, und die
verschiedenen, eingebetteten Elemente in ihren Kompositionen zu erkennen
und differenzieren, was diesen hoffentlich befähigt seine eigene audiosensitive
Vorstellungskraft unterbewusst anzuregen, je nach seinem (geistigen)
Befinden.
Wirklich vergleichbar ist SLAGMAUR nur schwer, spontan musste ich im
Laufe des Albums abwechselnd an kranke, irre BURZUM, Xasthur und NARGAROTH
denken, wobei ich stilistisch einen Mix aus Ambient, Black Metal und
geringe sehr unkonventionelle, interessante Industrial-Elemente erkennen
konnte. Schon im Opener "Nekk Brekk Support" wird klar: Über den Einsatz
jeden Instruments und jeden Effekts scheint intensiv nachgedacht worden
sein - alle Songs sind besonders beat- oder besser gesagt, percussion
lastig- wobei wirklich viele Möglichkeiten des Schlagzeugeinsatzes stimmig
ausgenutzt werden. Die Vocals sind ebenfalls unheimlich gelungen und
durchgängig stark verzerrt. Trotz gewisser Monotonität, die hier keinenfalls
mit Simpelheit gleichzusetzen oder auch nur zu assozieren ist, bildet
sich eine paradoxe Synthese aller Bestandteile der Songs, die von Anfang
bis Ende fesselt und eine wahnsinnige Atmosphäre kreiert. Der zweite
Track "Skrell Skjćr Svin" hört sich an wie die verstörende Portraitierung
von etwas Abartigem, das mit Worten gar nicht auszudrücken ist: Ein
konstanter Beat bildet die Basis für ein verschlungenes Thema in der
Melodie, die mitreissend um Ambient-Elemente wie abwechslungsreich verklärte
Geräusche bereichert wird. Im dritten Song "Skrekk Slegg Slag", was
alleine schon wie eine ultraperverse Alliteration klingt, ist der melodiöse
Einklang der vorherigen Lieder aufgelöst, es werden geschickt neue Geräusche,
und Beats eingeflochten. Bei 3/4 des Tracks gibt es einen Cut und eine
seltsam unheimliche Stimme hält eine Ansprache auf norwegisch, was dann
mit verzerrten E-Gitarren und diversen Synthie- und Keyboardexperimenten
läuft und auch ausklingt. Der vierte Titel, "Heng Them Hřyt" ist besonders
Industrial-angehaucht mit periodisch wiederholenden metallischen Geräuschen,
wieder zusammen mit extrem verzerrten Gitarren übereinander, verzerrtem
Gesang, und etwas, das wie ein Summen oder ein sehr unscheinbarer Chor
klingt, was wiederum eine saustarke, perverse Mischung ergibt, die unterbewusst
auch gegen den Willen des Hörers, sich einen Zugang ins Gehirn bohrt
und dort festbeißt. Der fünfte und letzte Track "Will Sher Svain" fühlt
sich an wie ein Balanceakt auf einem Drahtseil, der auf teuflische Art
und Weise gelingt, trotz dem Aufkreischen von undefinierbaren Instrumenten
oder Lauten, die verschluckt in einem Strom aus metallischen Klängen
und der Omnipräsenz der ultimativen Verzerrung im kompletten Wahnsinn
aufgehen. Die Besonderheit gerade bei diesem letzten Track ist, dass
die Musik an einer Stelle erst nach ca. halbminütiger Pause wieder einsetzt,
aber komplett anders und permanent angereichert mit undefinierbaren,
benunruhigenden Schreien, aus denen immer mal wieder deutsche Wortfetzen
herauszuhören sind, aber trotzdem wunderbar in das seltsame, einzigartige
und kranke konzept dieser Scheibe passen. Dieser zweite Teil des letzten
Songs entstammt übrigens der Feder eines der anderen Mitglieder, und
war ursprünglich für dessen Solo-Projekt geplant gewesen.
Erwähnt sollte auch das Artwork werden: Ein dunkel gehaltenes Cover
mit 3 speziell angeordneten Totenschädeln, was wahrscheinlich auf die
Zugehörigkeit dieses Albums zu einer Triologie hinweist, in der es erstmals
als Demo neben Anderen erschien, namentlich "Skrekk" und "Domfeldt".
In einem kleinen Inlay befinden sich sehr atmosphärische, düstere und
interpretier-freundliche Malereien, deren Urheber mich sehr interessieren
würde.
Als Fazit kann gesagt werden, dass es sich hierbei um ein atmosphärisch
dichtgepacktes Werk voller grandioser Klang und Effekt-Experimente handelt,
die nahtlos einher und/oder übergehen in schleppenden Black Metal ŕ
la BURZUM, und für dessen Innovation und Tiefe ganze 9 Punkte verdient.
Bewertung: 9/10 Julian Baumann [jb]
Review by Terrorizer UK 
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
This is absolutely intriguing. Slagmaur are a young band form Norway,
a place where a new set of black metal are increasingly finding ways
for themselves to generate the eerie atmosphere of their forebears without
hamstringing themselves with another generation ´s dogma. With their
website depicting what appears to be a grainy 1930s photograph of a
caped figure looming in front of two-hatched-faced cellist and a music-hall
audience, Slagmaur´s description of themselves as "the devil’s own orchestra"
seems particularly apposite. Musically, "Svin" is a disorientingly-layerd,
bafflingly distorted cacophony somewhere between Blut aus Nord, early
Xasthur and Swans, a thoroughly weird exercise in outsider art built
ob black metal´s roots (which are acknowledge by including a special
church burning box of matches in the first few copies). Piercing, droning
and genuinely creepy, "Svin" is morbidly and inexplicably addictive.
There´s a pertinent question here which the jury´s still out on - namely,
is all this strangeness actually enjoyable to listen to? But one thing´s
for sure, Slagmaur are very very different and we need more to hear.
James Hinchliffe 7.5/10
Review by Nocturnal Hall
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Svin is the third part „Three Protocols of Fosen“, together with the
two other demos Skregg and Domfeldt, and has been re-issued earlier
this year. And on the occasion of this re-release, SLAGMAUR from Norway
talk big: The band claims to play the only True Norwegian Black Metal,
which would most likely not be appropriate for most of the listeners.
And even those who might understand the music would be demanded a great
deal of. Rather self-assured words by guys using such strange names
as General Gribbsphiiser or ĹtselGribb *g* Anyhow, I was quite curious
what might come up to me. Giving the CD a first try during a train ride
wasn’t a good idea though, as I could not clearly make out which sounds
came from CD and which from the train ;) What the General and his myrmidons
call True Norwegian Black Metal is indeed different from what the most
fans (including me) would expect. And I even think it’s not too abstruse
to wonder if this still comes under the term Black Metal. Extremely
distorted guitars, partially even beyond recognition, and a monotonous
and sluggish drums form the basis for the five tracks on Svin. Added
to that, there are bizarre and obsessive vocals, as well that much distorted,
that one occasionally will not recognize any humanity in the voices
anymore. The sound collage of the songs in particular is completed by
various other ingredients: Skrell Skjaer Svin is content with an almost
simplistic keyboard which literally finishes off the dazing atmosphere
of the track. Other songs again summon sinister images to ones mind’s
eye by the use of minimalist ambient elements. And the final song Will
Sher Svain surprises at first with dazzling guitars and at the end with
an astonishing melodic finish. Even if one doesn’t understand a single
word, it’s not hard to imagine that SLAGMAUR most likely live in a very
bizarre and grotesque world of their own. And whether you categorize
the music on Svin as Black Metal or not, it is in any case a fascinating
opus. And it’s nothing to listen to everyday, that’s also for sure.
Seb 8/10
Review by Norskvartmetal
SLAGMAUR - Skrekk Lick Kunstler Digi CD (Nekk Brekk Productions)
from a well presented digi pack, I placed the cd into my timeworn player.
A lazy guitar arrangement and plodding drumbeat awakens the first track,
Nekk Brekk Support, a keyboard backdrop sliding though the mesmerizing
guitar patterns and from this point onwards it’s a strange old journey
we are taken on. It’s a twisted, sour experience that manoeuvres the
mind into a trance like state whilst alleviating the senses from its
sludge like mood. The hypnotic arrangement to this first track is bizarre
to say the least, an industrial like march into oblivions gawping jaws.
Track 2, sustains the mid-tempo grind, the distorted vocal moans enhancing
the mind bending guitar chords. Like Voivod imploding in a musical myriad
of Khold. Slagmaur are certainly different. The music being both very
enjoyable and unnerving. There is none of the ball cracking disdain
of Gorgoroth, nor has this any of the majestic dynamics of Dimmu Borgir.
This is Black Metal born from a Clockwork Orange movie, perverse in
its singular vision of bass heavy plodding metal. The whole album is
a collage of undulating, slow, chugging, thick guitar chords and post
Black Metal progressive undertones. If you can imagine the Kovenant
swallowed by a Doom cloud and spat out through a black and white collage
of faceless humans and iron clad edifices. This is a very hollow, chilling
musical experience that during its final moments drains the mind of
all its resolve. Quite unique, and quite rewarding. The band have another
album out, titled Skrekk Lich Kunstler, a release I will endeavour to
hunt down in the near future, no doubt.
Review by Whoresofchaos
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Slagmaur marks the return of pure hate summoned ashore, after over a
decade of raging in the blackest depths of a northern sea. Evoking the
essence of an amorphous indestructible wrath, 'Nekk Brekk Support' slowly
marches forth descending in a hypnotic spiralling fog as it pervades
and electrifies the air in homage to early Burzum. A succession of shrill
discordant eerie keyboard notes signal the night terror of 'Skrell Skjćr
Svin' in a terrifying lullabye to a despicable whimpering traitor of
a man- reduced to a porcine nemesis hogtied. One by one, each foe is
violently wrenched out of pleasant slumber, only to be led into the
nightmare of inevitable slaughter by 'Skrekk Slegg Slag'. The carnage
of the wraithlike phantoms battles on by command of their vengeful masters
in a pounding march to 'Heng Them Hřyt'. In a layer of frost, the remains
of enemies are hung on ice covered branches as they sway to and fro'
in the punitive maelstrom of cold whirring instrumentation. An eternity
of mental anguish, ever recurring hallucinations and inexplicable horrific
darkness overcome the betrayers thus destroying the equilibrium of their
collective mind in the final track 'Will Sher Svain'.
Much is to be
said for the authenticity of hatred which served as a catalyst in the
creation of this powerful music. The violent underlying current of this
release enraptures and mesmerizes. Overall sound and atmosphere is completely
unique to Slagmaur, although influences of Norwegian second wave black
ambient metal predominate.
Scarlet
Review by Metal1 Deutschland
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
SLAUGMAUR entstammen dem kühlen Norwegen und „Svin“, welches es hier
zu besprechen gilt, ist gar nicht ihr neuster, wenn auch ihr jüngster
Streich. Ursprünglich war dieser Output als Demo erhältlich, zwei weitere
Releases folgten danach und jetzt wurde „Svin“ von Black Hate just wieder
aufgelegt. Als adrette Beilage gibt es zum einen ein Poster, zum anderen
eine „“church burning“ matchbox“ mit welcher den Black Metal-Ursprüngen
gehuldigt werden soll. Wer weiß, vielleicht muss die Polizei die Täter
der Black Metal-Kirchenanschläge in Frankreich im Kreise der SLAGMAUR-Käufer
suchen.
Gedämpft, schleichend und bizarr erklingen erste Töne, der Bass legt
sich breit über die Musik und Gitarren schrammeln. Apart geht es weiter,
„Skrell Skjćr Svin“ sirrt und flirrt durch den Raum. Aatselgribb wirkt,
als würden seine Worte aus der Tiefe kommen und nur schwach sowie durch
die Entfernung modifiziert vordringen. Arg mysteriös scheinende Pianotöne
verfeinern die befremdliche Atmosphäre, der Hörer ist gut damit beschäftigt,
sich ein Bild von dieser neuartigen Welt, in welche er eingetaucht ist,
zu machen. „Skrekk Slegg Slag“ scheint schon fast abgehakt, so sehr
klingt die Musik wie ein eher vor sich hin plätscherndes Interludium,
bis dann auf einmal eine Stimme zu vernehmen ist und die Gitarre faszinierend
und verheißungsschwanger aufspielt. Aber letztlich geschieht nichts,
die Spannung des Hörers wurde gesteigert und fallen gelassen. Doch der
nächste Track egalisiert diesen Umstand; bedrohlich wabert „Heng Them
Hřyt“ auf einen zu. Nun ist es an General Gribbsphiiser, den Kopf der
Band, in Sachen Gesang. Dieser haucht die Worte, wirkt fast schon lethargisch.
Währenddessen bewegen sich die Instrumente gleichmäßig, schleppend und
unaufhaltsam auf den Hörer zu. Dieses Überrollen geschieht wie in Zeitlupe,
der Hörer ist also verhältnismäßig lange gebannt. Der Schluss scheint
diese Ohnmacht noch verstärken zu wollen, sehr famos! Das Endstück „Will
Sher Svain“ tönt erneut nach einer scheinbaren Belanglosigkeit und erneut
überraschen die drei Norweger, in dem sie „Svin“ nur dem Schein nach
so ausklingen lassen. Danach ertönt hintergründig schleppender und begleitender
Black Metal. Im Vordergrund hingegen steht eine Auswahl von Schreien
offenkundig verrückt gewordener Menschen. Wahnsinnig und weit über dem,
was Angst ausmacht, geht es dort zu und verleiht dieser durchaus eigenartigen
CD einen würdigen Ausklang.
Ich muss gestehen, ich war skeptisch, als ich die CD das erste Mal in
meinen Händen hielt. Nicht nur die Streichhölzer, auch die Art der Band
wirkte auf mich dubios. Man kennt das ja, die Band lobt sich selbst
und Label verherrlicht diese Gruppe ebenso und ebenso oft ist die Musik
letzten Endes gelinge gesagt scheiße. Hier nicht, ich muss sagen, dass
SLAGMAUR eine DER Entdeckungen der letzten Zeit für mich sind. Die Musik
der Norweger wird von Durchlauf zu Durchlauf stärker, immer mehr wird
man in eine obskure, fremde Welt hinabgeleitet. Innovativ und eigen,
das sind SLAGMAUR und das wiederum lässt mich freudig auf die anderen,
mir noch unbekannten Releases blicken.
Bewertung: 7.5/10 Patrick Käseberg
Review by Schwermetall.ch Schweiz
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Slagmaur titulieren sich zwar True Norwegian Black Metal, doch mit dem gegenwärtigen Kopierertum haben die norwegischen Schlachtameisen in etwa so viel gemeinsam wie Gott und der Teufel.
Vielmehr schaffen die insgesamt vier beteiligten Musikanten rund um den General Gribbsphiiser woran die meisten Truppen in diesem Segment scheitern: Sie verbinden eine unbändige Räudigkeit und Tradition mit einer vollkommen eigenständigen und neuartigen Atmosphäre. "Svin" war das erste der drei Demos der Reihe "The Three Protocols Of Fosen", die seit 2006 eingespielt wurden und ist soeben über Black Hate einem breiteren Publikum geöffnet worden. Ein Jammer wäre es gewesen, wenn sich das Prunkstück irgendwo im Nichts verloren hätte. Die schleppenden Stücke voller Morbidität und Trauerspiele, berühren den geneigten Schwarzstahlkonsumenten an mentalen Stellen, die er kaum gekannt hat. Die abartige Stimmung, die die Westküstler durch Geschrei, Stimmenüberlagerungen, die aus tiefer Nacht daherschallen und dumpfe Gitarrenwucherungen erzeugt, sucht Ihresgleichen. Fast schon Doom-lastig reissen die fünf Stücke den letzten Hoffnungsschimmer hernieder. Schrille Pianoeinlagen und eine stark verzerrte Stimme lassen eine industriell-rohe Ambience entstehen. Tiefes Donnergrollen von Seiten der unglaublich mitreissenden Gitarrenmelodien und des monotonen Schlepptrommelwerks weisen den Weg in den Abgrund.
Slagmaur fabrizieren finstersten Doom Black Metal, den ihr unbedingt gehört haben müsst: Verstörend, fies, intensiv und roh!
Bewertung: 11/13 Morgenstern
1st Review by Eternal-terror.com. Norge
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Litt komisk nesten, men hadde vi ikke hatt krasj her i Terror i romjula
ville du fĺtt 1 intervju samt 6 anmeldelser i treff om du sřkte pĺ Slagmaur.
Effektiviteten er det ikke noe ĺ si pĺ hos Fosens Slagmaur med tre slipp
(fire om du regner med kassetten Helvette) pĺ litt i overkant av ett
ĺr. Vi er nettopp ferdig med det siste kapitlet i Fosens tre protokoller,
Domfeldt, nĺr det fřrste kapitlet, Svin, er over oss igjen, denne gang
via tyske Black Hate Productions. Skiva er blitt delvis re-innspilt
og fĺtt en nye og mye mřrkere miks. Du tror du vet hva klaustrofobi
er for noe? Da har du ikke hřrt SVIN!
Kaldere, svartere, mřrkere, jćvligere og mer klaustrofobisk musikk enn
dette har du ikke hřrt fřr. Det er sĺ gjennomfřrt manende som det kan
bli og Generalen og hans disipler har virkelig gravd seg langt ned for
ĺ fĺ til dette. Svin er angst i form av musikk. Det er rett og slett
stygt og en ting er sikkert, du har aldri hřrt noe lignende. Du kan
sammenligne dette med Burzum sĺ mye du vil, Slagmaur er og blir Slagmaur
og lĺter kun som Slagmaur.
I det Nekk Brekk Support ĺpner er du fanget, du vil ikke gi slipp fřr
det er over og da lengter du. Lengter etter ĺ hřre pĺ nytt. Og pĺ nytt....
Slagmaur kan ikke beskrives, det mĺ hřres. Dette er Black Metal Kvlt,
det er det ingen tvil om.
Fřrste gangen jeg hřrte om bandet lo jeg, men sĺ fort jeg hřrte dette
stoppet latteren, jeg ble fanget. Jeg er fortsatt fanget. Dette er intet
mindre enn kunst, sort kunst av beste sort. Og nĺr vi snakker om kunst
mĺ ogsĺ coverart nevnes. Robert Hřyem og At The Ends har gjort en kjempejobb,
sinnsykt fett, intet mindre!
Men med musikken i fokus og Slagmaur bak instrumentene, ideene, tankene
og de psykiske aspektene er dette blitt en knallbra affćre jeg med hĺnden
pĺ hjertet kan anbefale til alle som liker sin sortmetall svartere enn
natta! Black Metal pĺ norsk vis har ikke hatt noe sĺ bra ĺ vise til
pĺ lenge...
Slagmaur er definitivt noe av det beste innen norsk svartmetall nĺr
vi skrive
Ruben 5/6
Review by Streetwebzine Norge
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Det tusler og gĺr pĺ denne utgivelsen til Slagmaur, som altsĺ er forgjengeren til ”Skrekk” og ”Domfeldt”. Dette er del en i trilogien ”Fosens tre protokoller” som nĺ reutgis av Black Hate i en fullverdig cd-versjon. Det de byr pĺ er guffen, vemmelig og seig black metal og jeg kan lett forestille meg at dette er ment ĺ skape ubehag hos lytteren. Jeg lar meg likevel ikke trollbinde eller fengsle i sćrlig střrre grad. Til det er det for lite som skjer i musikken og lĺtene kommer og gĺr uten at jeg klarer og leve meg inn i deres verden. Sangene er i stor grad bygd opp rundt et statisk komp og enkle gitarfigurer og disse varer omtrent hele lĺta igjennom. Den aller beste sangen kommer helt til slutt og innehar den mest besatte stemmen jeg har hřrt pĺ lang tid! Jeg har hřrt lĺta fřr, og kjenner til forhistorien til den, men jeg skal ikke rřpe noen detaljer angĺende hvor de ”fant” vokalisten, litt mystikk mĺ ivaretas! Som en konklusjon mĺ jeg dessverre tilstĺ at jeg liker konseptet til Slagmaur langt bedre enn den musikalske utfřrelsen. Jeg satser likevel pĺ at formkurven deres ligger nćrt opptil en bedre vin.
Review by Streetwebzine Norge (translated)
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
This is the predecessor to “Skrekk” and “Domfeldt” if I have understood
correctly. This is part one in the trilogy “Fosens tre protokoller”
which is given a proper cd-release by Black Hate. What they have to
offer is ghastly, disgusting and slow black metal. Their sound is of
the creepy kind and I can easily imagine that it’s meant to create distaste.
I’m still not becoming affected or enslaved to any particular degree.
There’s too little that happens in the music and the songs come and
go without me being able to identify with the music. The songs are built
up around a static basic track and simple guitar figures and these may
last throughout the songs.
They have saved the best track for last with vocals that sound truly
possessed! I’ve heard this track before and it was a delight to hear
it again. I shall not reveal what the lyrics are about nor shall I tell
you where they “picked up” this “vocalist”. As a conclusion I’ll have
to admit that I like their concept better than their musical performance,
unfortunately. Anyway I’m gambling that they’re like a fine wine; it
gets better through the years.
Review by Heavymetal Norge
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Ikke noen splitter ny utgivelse fra Slagmaur denne gangen; trioen fra grisgrendte Fosen. Svin kom fřrst i 2006, men nĺ er den ogsĺ ĺ fĺ tak i utenfor Norge via Black Hate Productions.
Ny coverart er den mest umiddelbare forskjellen og estetikken er forbedret svinaktig mange prosent. Slagmaur har vel ikke vunnet sĺ mange venner basert pĺ det visuelle fram til nĺ, men ved hjelp av Robert Hřyem vil man ikke lenger skremme vekk potensielle lyttere pĺ forhĺnd. Skiva er dessuten re-mastret og delvis nyinnspilt.
Musikalsk er det i samme gata som pĺ sist anmeldte, Domfeldt. Denne skiva er noe eldre, men nĺr man slipper tre skiver pĺ et ĺr er det kanskje ikke noen bombe at forskjellene er marginale. Har du likt det du har hřrt av bandet fřr, vil du ogsĺ finne tilfredsstillelse i Svin.
For dem som er ukjent med Slagmaur- soundet kan det fortelles at det dreier seg om ganske original black metal. Det gĺr doomisk sakte, men er stemningsfullt som pokker. Liker du svart metal som gir deg fřlelsen av ĺ lytte til noe sykt, sćrt og drepende ubehagelig kan Svin vćre et godt alternativ.
Lĺtene er bygd opp av enkle temaer som repeteres i stor grad. Bak hovedinstrumenteringen svever grřtete gitarlyder, som faktisk makter ĺ skape mer dybde i musikken. Mer som tar litt tid ĺ oppdage i all sin enkelhet. Vokalen er tillagt mye effekter der den brukes; som er langt sjeldnere enn hos gjennomsnittsbandet. Noe samplet stemmebruk finnes, og i den skjulte sistelĺta bidrar de sterkt til den grřssende fřlelsen som ellers hviler over musikken. Alt som er nevnt nĺ angĺende materialet, ble ogsĺ nevnt ved omtalen av Domfeldt. Ribbet for fantasi kan man vel alltids si at jeg framstĺr som, men nĺr skivene er sĺ like som de faktisk er blir det fort slik.
Svin blir nok gjenstand for slakt mange steder, men ikke her i gĺrden. Noe svakere enn Domfeldt dog, eller kanskje bare litt for lik? Jeg hřrte Domfeldt fřrst av de tre smĺ protokoller, og liker den best.
7/10
Translated 1st Review by Eternal-terror.com.
Norge
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
The first chapter of "Fosens Three Protocolls" is once again in my hands.
This time its released vie the german label "Black Hate Productions".
The record i partially re-recorded, og has gained a new and much darker
mix. Do you believe you know what claustrophobia is? Then you havent
heard "Svin"
You havent heard music sound more colder, darker, sinister and and plain
cruel than this! Its so hypnotic as is can get. General, Wardr and Aatselgribb
has really digged themselfes down mentally to create this masterpiece!
This is anxiety in form of music! Its plain ugly and one thing is certain;
you have never heard this before. You can compare slagmaur with Burzum
as much as you want, but one thing is for certain. Slagmaur is Slagmaur
and it sound only like Slagmaur does.
As the records first track "Nekk Brekk Suport" begins, youre captured.
And you wont let go before its over, and when its over youre longong
for more more more more!! You cant describe Slagmaur, you got to listen
to it! This is cult black metal, no doubt about it! The first time i
heared about this band i laughed! But i stopped laughing as soon as
i heard the music. And i have been captured by their atmosphere ever
since. This is no less than a piece of art, a black piece of art!!!
And when were talking art i got to mention the coverart by Robert Hoyem,
At The Ends. A fantastic well done job!
With the music as the main focus, and Slagmaur with their instruments,
their idealism, their toughts and the psychological aspects i can honestly
say this has become a great masterpeice! And i can recommend Slagmaur
to everybody out there that likes their black metal darker than night!
Norweigian black metal hasnt had anything good as this in a long time!!
Slagmaur is definitely something of the best we got in norwegian black
metal!
Ruben 5/6
Translated 2nd Review by Eternal-terror.com.
Norge
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Ny mĺned, ny Slagmaur utgivelse. Dette er selvsagt en liten overdrivelse,
men faktum er nĺ engang slik at Slagmaur har hatt en utgivelseskurve
det siste halvĺret/ĺret som ikke ligner grisen. "Svin", "Skrekk", "Helvette-tapen",
"Domfeldt", og snart kommer "Skrekk Lich Kunstler". Hřrte jeg noen nevne
ordet produktiv?
Svin er som dere vakre lesere kanskje har fĺtt med dere, den aller fřrste
utgivelsen til dette bandet. Nĺ har bandet gĺtt hen og blitt signa pĺ
det tyske kultselskapet Black Hate, og Svin er altsĺ den fřrste offisielle
utgivelsen deres pĺ dette selskapet. Det som har blitt gjort med denne
utgivelsen er en remastring av lyd samt en ny og gjennomfřrt profesjonell
layout av bĺde cover, omslag og booklet. Robert Hřyem og At The Ends
stĺr ansvarlig for dette, og har virkelig gjort en fenomenal innsats
pĺ denne utgivelsen. Dette er kunst, rett og slett. Er du heldig, fĺr
du tak i plakaten ogsĺ.
Ellers er det ikke sĺ mye annerledes med denne skiva kontra demoen enn
at lyden har fĺtt seg en real overhaling. Svin har blitt et klarere,
mřrkere og, som Ruben sa det i den andre omtalen av skiva, et mer klaustrofobisk
verk. Det er kaldt, mřrkt og jćvlig, samtidig som det er mer enn tydelig
at dette er noe annerledes. Noe som den norske blackmetalscena, ja hele
scena under ett, har vćrt i skrikende mangel av.
Le gjerne av dem pga navnet, men evner du ĺ sette deg inn i angsten
og fortvilelsen i Slagmaur, vil du oppdage musikk som ikke bare kan
sende tankene tilbake til gammel Burzum, men ogsĺ musikk som er nyskapende
og spennende. Du har aldri hřrt noe lignende fřr.
Black Metal Kvlt.
Vidar 5/6
Review by Urkraft Sweden 
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Detta är mitt fjärde möte med Slagmaur's minst sagt originella black metal pĺ drygt ett ĺr. Det är en produktiv liga vi har att göra med, inte minst om man betänker att huvudmannen General Gribbsphiiser hunnit sitta fängslad en vända under samma tidsperiod. Nĺväl, detta är faktiskt inget helt nytt alster utan en ĺterutgĺva av dess första demo, sĺ egentligen behöver jag bara ytterligare befästa vad jag redan sagt om detta verk. Det är en produktionsmässig katastrof pĺ mĺnga sätt men rent musikaliskt finns mycket att hämta. Skräckfilmsmusik i möte med norsk old-school black metal är aldrig fel. Det lĺter suggestivt, mörkt och djävulskt i kvadrat.
Jag ser verkligen fram emot liknande släpp av de tvĺ efterföljande demoinspelningarna, dĺ Slagmaur som band gĺtt framĺt oerhört kvalitetsmässigt i och med varje release. Men som sagt, redan här lĺter det förbannat bra! Black Hate Productions gör världen en tjänst genom att ta bandet under sina mörka vingar! En extra stjärna i kanten ocksĺ för det ruggigt snygga digipacket!!
Review by Brainsmash CZ 
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
Máme tady debutové album norské kapely „Slagmaur“, na kterou jsem narazil
velice zvláštní náhodou. Na ceském internetu o nich není snad témer
žádná zmínka, a když jsem stáhl jeden sampl z jejich oficiálního webu,
musel jsem to mít. A taky že jo, z Norska, zeme chladu, tmy a hor mi
po pár dnech dorazilo jejich CD „Svin“.
Tuto velice zvláštní a originální kapelu tvorí tri neméne zvláštní lidé
ĹtselGribb, General Gribbsphiiser a Wardr. Debutové album je vlastne
re-release prvního stejnojmenného dema kapely z roku 2006. Hudba je
pomalá, chladná, pomalá, chladnejší, zvláštní, pomalá a dokonalá! I
když si to pustíte ve dne (což sice se k tomuhle albu absolutne nehodí),
máte pocit, že kolem vás se zacíná stmívat, a prenesete se na nejaké
místo na Severu, tak zvláštní, jak jen muže vaše fantazie vymyslet.
At je to nejaká podzemní katakomba, hluboký temný les nebo obrazy pekla
a mucení – "Slagmaur" vás tam zavede tak, že to budete moct i videt.
Dokonalé využití hudby by bylo jako soundtrack k mé a vaší ceste do
pekla.
Všechny songy jsou vlastne pomalé a každým dalším se kvalita zvyšuje
a atmosféra prohlubuje. Hodne dlouho jsem neslyšel nic, co by bylo schopno
navodit tuhletu, ac chladnou, tak zároven pekelnou atmosféru. Už od
první stopy vás napadne slovo Burzum. Je to trošku podobné, ale i presto
si „Slagmaur“ zachovávají svou šílenou a zvlášstní originalitu. Pomalé
bicí, pomalý, studený zvuk kytar a do toho démonické vokály, které se
místy zdají, jako by byly vyrvávány z hlubokého lesa. Pres ten všechen
surový zvuk má „Slagmaur“ další prekvapení, kterým jsou klávesy. Nemyslete
si, že se díky tomu hudba nejak zmekcí. Naopak. Pribude další porce
depresivní atmosféry. Po úvodních dvou stopách prichází tretí, která
je lehce v rychlejším tempu (vzhledem k prvním) a je zakoncena krásnou
pasáží s mluveným slovem. Samozrejme v norštine a zní to tak, že nevím,
zda je to clovek, nebo promlouvá nekdo z pekla. Ve ctvrtém songu se
vše opet zpomalí a poté následuje song pátý a poslední.
O tom musím napsat více, jelikož patríA mezi nejdivnejší a nejzajímavejší
songy, co jsem kdy slyšel. Nenechte se zmást, že song koncí po krátké
dvou-a-pul-minutové pasáži a pak už následuje jen ticho... Song má devet
a pul minuty a teprve po té cca minutové pauze následuje neco, cemu
se nebojím ríct pekelné norské umení. Je to taky to, co me ujistilo,
že toto CD musím mít. Zacíná opet trošku rychlejší „skrytá stopa“, která
pred vámi rozprostre neco, co mám strach popsat. Trošicku prevažují
bicí a ke konci klávesy s úžasnou temnou melodií a do toho všeho – hlas
! Nevím jestli je to žena, muž, díte – zní to jako výkriky z hlubin
pekelných. Celý tento song dokonce má zajímavou vlastnost... Když jsem
ho poslouchal asi 25x za noc, protože je opravdu návykový, mel jsem
pocit, že ze me vysává všechen život, radost a nadeji. Dokonce jsem
mel pocit, že se uchýlím k tomu, o cem nejeden depresivní temnokovový
metalista premýšlí a tím je sebevražda a osvobození se. Krácet už jen
jako astrální bytost navždytemným lesem a slyšet pouze tento song. Když
se do toho ke konci pridají klávesy, nevíte, zda žijete nebo se vaše
duše dostala tam, kam se tak dostat touží. Klaním se pred tímto songem.
Doporucuji se opít, pustit si to do sluchátek a jít se projít v noci
lesem. Slyšel jsem ho za týden asi 100x a porád nejde vypnout....
Všechno se ješte znásobí, když si zacnete prohlížet obal a booklet.
Zpracování je velice a velice profesionální a umelecké. Víc než perfektne
zobrazuje hudbu a atmosféru, co je na albu. Krásné malby démonu v ohni
nebo s korunou s vyrytým obráceným krížem na hlave kreslil norský umelec
Robert Hřyem. Doufám, že z toho nekdy udelají plakáty nebo to dají na
tricka a pošlou mi nejaké :).Textu moc nenaleznete a stejne jsou témer
všechny v norštine, ale moc bych jim chtel rozumet. Albu snad mužu vytknout
jednu jedinou vec – délka. Témer 28 minut se mi zdá málo. Na druhou
stranu by možná delší stopáž dokázala pár lidí k té sebevražde a do
pekla dovést. Tohle je jediný duvod proc album nemá 100%. Pokud jste
fanoušci Burzum a podobných umení, máte rádi originalitu, chlad, temnotu
a všechnu tu norskou krásnou depresivnost, kupte to hned jakmile to
zahlédnete.
95/100 ReverendJim
Translated Review by Brainsmash CZ
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
So, we have here debut album from nowegian band „Slagmaur“, which I've
found by very weird accident. There is almost none reference on the
czech internet and when I downloaded one sample from their offical site,
I told myself „I have to get this“. And yes, from Norway, land of coldness,
darkness and mountains, their CD „Svinn“ arrived after few days to me.
This very weird and original band is formed by three no less weird persons
AtselGribb, General Gribbsphiiser and Wardr. Their debut album is as
a matter of fact re-release of the first same-titled demo from 2006.
Music is slow, cold, slow, colder, weird, slow and awesome! Even when
you listen to it during the day (which is not appropriate for this album),
you get that feeling like everywhere around you is getting darker and
darker and you are transferred to some Northern place, as weird as your
fantasy can imagine. Either some underground catacomb, or deep dark
wood or pictures of hell and torture - „Slagmaur“ will take you there
so vividly, that you will be able to see it. Perfect use of this music
would be as soundtrack to mine and yours way to hell.
All songs are slow and with every single song the quality is rising
and atmosphere is getting deeper and thicker. I haven't heard anything
what would be able to deliver such atmosphere, so cold and infernal
as well at the same time. From the first track you will have one thought
in your mind - „Burzum“. It is kinda similar, but „Slagmaur“ manages
to keep their insane and weird originality. Slow drums, slow, cold guitar
sound and demonic vocals which sounds like they are cried out from some
deep forest. Despite of this raw sound, „Slagmaur“ has another surprise,
which is keyboards. Don't worry that it will make their music softer.
On the contrary. Another portion of depressive atmosphere is added.
After first two tracks comes third song which is slightly faster (considering
the first two) and is ended by beautiful part with spoken word. Of course
it is in norwegian and it sounds like I don't know if it's man or something
from the hell speaking. In the fourth song everything gets slower again
and then comes fifth and last song.
I have to write more about this one, because it's is the most weird
and interesting song I have ever heard. Don't be confused when it ends
after short two-and-half minutes long passage and then there's silence.
Song has nine and half minutes and after short silence comes something
I'm not afraid to call infernal norwegian art. It's the track, which
assured me that I have to get this CD. A bit faster hidden track has
begun and opens up something I'm scared to describe. Bit stronger drums
andin the second half of the song comes keyboards with amazing dark
melody and into all of this – voice! I'm not sure if it's woman, man
or child – it sounds like screams from infernal depths. This song has
one special ability. When I listened to it like 25 times per night,
because it is really addictive, I had the feeling like it is draining
off my life, joy and hope from me. I even had the feeling, that I would
be turned to try that thing, of which many blackmetalheads think – suicide
and liberation. Just walking as an astral being through foreverdark
woods and listen only to this song. When keyboards join at the end you
don't know if you're alive or your soul came to the place, where it
desires so much to be. I bow down before this song. I heard it like
100 times during last week and I still can't turn it off...
Everything is multiplied when you start looking on the cover and into
the booklet. Design is very, very professional and artistic. More than
perfect it represents music and atmosphere from the album. Beautiful
paintings of demons in the fire or with the crown with inverted cross
upon the head are made by norwegian artist Robert Hoyem. I hope they
will make posters or T-shirts from this and send me one sometime :)
You won't find much lyrics and they are in norwegian anyway, but i'd
like very much to understand them.
There is only one thing, that I would reprehend to this album – its
length. Almost 28 minutes seems too little to me. On the other hand,
if it would be longer maybe it could bring few people to that suicide
and hell. This is the only reason why it doesn't get 100%. If you are
Burzum or similar arts fans, you like originality, coldness, darkness
and all that norwegian depressivity, buy it immediately when you see
it somewhere.
95/100 ReverendJim
Review by Harm US Magazine
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
This album came in with a matchbox on which could be seen the band's
logo and I thought it was a pretty cool promotional item. Then I found
out it actually was the "Church Burning Edition" for the first copies,
to commemorate the origin of Norwegian black metal! Brainchild of a
twisted mind by the name of General Gribbsphiiser who just about does
everything on this release, Svin is not your typical Nordic metal although
Norway stands out as one very courageous and adventurous Scandinavian
country. A quick look at the great cover art, featuring a black and
blue very graphic composition with three skulls, gives you an idea of
the sickness of their art. A bit too short for my own taste, this five
track 28 minutes release hit home right away with the opener "Nekk Brekk
Support", being also available on their myspace site, as well as on
mine. In a true kult tradition, Svin is all written in their native
tongue and the booklet doesn't include the lyrics but instead some nice
surrealistic artwork is presented. Now let's talk a bit about the music.
Slagmaur is playing a sick sort of melodic/industrial black metal. Mid
to slow paced compositions, no blast beats, raspy whispers with effects
in them, distorted/crushing guitars with occasional clean arpeggios
meet pounding drums and industrial electronics. Only great pieces from
beginning to end painting for your ears a nightmarish avant - garde
soundscape that I personally found very pleasant to sink into. Twisted
black metal with a melodic structure, I love it!
8.5 /10
Review by Voices from the Darkside
SLAGMAUR - Svin Digi CD (Black Hate Productions)
The mysterious SLAGMAUR from Norway have recorded a trilogy called “The
Three Protocols Of Forsen”, and “Svin” is a part of this trilogy (the
two other parts are “Skrekk“ and “Domfeldt“). Originally recorded as
a demo and now published via Black Hate. Since I do not know the other
two parts of that trilogy I have no clue if this release is embedded
within a certain concept, maybe like the first three ULVER releases.
Furthermore I have no idea what this band is all about. The first copies
of this album are going to contain a “special church-burning matchbox”
- provocation for business sake or real ideology? Just a joke? And how
to judge the promo-sheet information the bandleader General Gribbsphiiser
has been in jail? No further information is given, like generally the
band is very sparingly providing any information, seems like they are
playing hide and seek with the public. Anyone who is interested may
start a deeper examination of the phenomenon SLAGMAUR and its leader
General Gribbsphisser, but for this time I will concentrate on the music.
Black Metal, slow played, almost near the edge of Doom Metal, desperate,
distorted shouting, long instrumental parts underlined with spoken,
sampled words - all in all far beyond the traditional Black Metal. The
only reference I have in mind is the SUN OF THE SLEEPLESS / NACHTMAHR
split-album. Despite avoiding the traditional Black Metal elements,
“Svin” is arousing the same atmosphere - darkness, desperation, hate,
solitude. SLAGMAUR manage to keep the ancient Black Metal spirit alive,
without repeating its musical elements. Quite surprising, for me. So
all listeners out there who are wondering if there is a possibility
that Black Metal can musically develop without betraying its roots,
may, besides listen to the newer SATYRICON outputs,
take a closer look on SLAGMAUR www.slagmaur.com
Mirco Szymyslik
Tracklist: 1. Nekk Brekk Support 2. Skrell Skjær Svin 3. Skrekk Slegg Slag 4. Heng Them Høyt 5. Will Sher Svain |
