Mortiis - Crypt of the Wizard (1996)

When ex-Emperor bassist Mortiis (aka Bobo Trinkles) released this album ten years ago, all we had was a cassette tape copy of another tape which was probably also a copy. But the lousy sound quality couldn't diminish the pleasure we had of listening to Crypt of the Wizard. Visually imaginative, dark (but not depressing!), surreal music with overtly medieval folk influences, Crypt of the Wizard is one of those albums, together with Wongraven's Fjelltronen and Pazuzu's And All Was Silent..., to really stand out in the black metal genre. It's practically impossible to find the latter album, so if anyone can help me out... And perhaps a friendly Norwegian would be so kind to translate the song titles for us?

Perhaps I should mention that this album is not at all like his later work. I recently heard The Smell of Rain (2001) and was not impressed by its electro-goth style. Mortiis should have stuck to his (way cooler) interpretation of folk music. Another thing: I noticed a similar move, equally disastrous, by Samael on their Lesson in Magic (2006). What drives these people to move away from good music into shitty synth electro goth? I like electronic music a lot, but that stuff is sooo boring. Oh well, vented enough now... So if you want to know what good Mortiis sounds like, listen to Crypt of the Wizard.

Tracks

1. Ferden Og Kallet (5:50)
2. Davi Bydge Tornet (8:01)
3. Under Tornet Skygge (5:49)
4. En Sirkel Av Kosmisk Kaos (7:30)
5. Vandreren's Sang (8:00)
6. Den Bortdreune Regnbuen (5:39)
7. Trollmannens Krypt (6:09)
8. Stjernefodt (4:54)
9. I Morket Drommende (5:58)
10. Fanget I Krystal (3:38)
    
    Total time: 61:28l

Mortiis_Crypt_Wizard_128.rar

posted by Paxjorge @ Sunday, April 02, 2006