Ragnarok

Formed in 1988 by Deorth [bass, vocals], Morgoth [guitars] and Cernunnos [drums]. A self titled demo was released in 1991 [of which a track appears here] and after circulating minor rehearsal tapes the bands definitive demo, 'Beloved of the Raven God' was released in 1995. This prompted Neat Records to sign the band which led to the release of the first album 'To Mend an Oaken Heart' in '97.
The bands style is more likened to a primitive Bathory/ Skyclad hybrid with heavy elements of caustic Black Metal. The use of paganism and folk arrangements makes the sound quite unique and this style became even more noticeable on the release of the 'Domgeorn' album in '99. 

Ragnarok 15 Boyntons, Nettlesworth, Chester-Le-Street, County Durhum, DH2 3PD England.

www.neatrecords.com 

Cradle of Filth

Like Venom in the eighties, Cradle of Filth dominated the pinnacle of Black Metal in the nineties. From the raw and ruthless demo's 'Invoking the Unclean' and 'Ogiastic Pleasures Foul' the band were signed to Cacophonous Records and in 1994 released the classic 'Principle of Evil made Flesh' album from which the track featured here 'The Forest Whispers My Name' is lifted. The line up here was, Dani Filth, Paul A , Benjamin, Nick Barker, Robin and Paul R.
The erotic imagery of brazen nudity and blood splattered flesh coupled with blasphemous t-shirt designs pushed the band to the forefront of the genre. 
The band steered clear of aligning themselves with the surrounding furore of anti-Christian Black Metal acts by embracing a theatrical vision of Gothic romanticism enamelled with a hammer Horror imagery. With the release of the Vempire mcd in '96, the band signed to Music for Nations to expand on their new direction. The second album 'Dusk and her Embrace' was released in '96 and followed by the equally impressive 'Cruelty and the Beast' in '98. Both releases were articulate renderings of controlled savagery.
The bands fast complex style of atmospheric gothic theatrics and cold brutal Black Metal has never been compromised. The release of the 'From the Cradle to Enslave' E.P in '99 and monstrous 'Midian' album of 2000 has seen the band rise from blasphemous Black Metal upstarts to undisputed Metal icons of late. 
The current release 'Bitter Suites to Succubi' is yet another masterful exhibition of precision song craft and brooding dark metal at its most terrifying best.
www.cradleofilth.com | www.cacophonousrecords.com | www.music-for-nations.co.uk

Disography
Principle of Evil Made Flesh [Cacophonous Rec]
Vempire mcd [Cacophonous Rec]
Dusk and her Embrace [Music for Nations]
Cruelty and the Beast [Music for Nations]
From the Cradle to the Enslave EP[ Music for Nations]
Midian [Music for Nations]
Bitter Suites to Succibi [Abracadaver]

Megiddo

Comprising of Apollyon [drums/ vocals] and Thomas D. Swanflight [guitars/ voices]. The bands demo was recorded in 1993 and in ’94 Cacophonous released a 7" containing two tracks taken from the demo, namely, ‘Eldest of Lightning’s’ [featured here] and ‘Traitorous Winds’. The sound is very Norwegian and echoes the cold anthems of the deepest dark forests. The namesakes of the two band members is a mystery although I may have an idea who they are, I dare not utter a word less I be impaled on splintered gallows and pelted with bats innards.