Black Hole

Guest

I was listening to Land of Mystery earlier on today and it got me thinking about this classic band. I honestly think Land of Mystery is one of the best doom albums ever, its got such a fantastic atmosphere, great riffs and interesting vocals! I haven't come across anything quite like it.

Any other fans of them on Doommantia? I've been meaning to get a hold of their second album Living Mask for awhile now but I haven't been able to get it. Can anyone comment on how good it is? I've heard the Beyond the Gravestone demo and to be honest it didn't grab me all that much.

Subject: Re: Black Hole Wed Nov 24, 2010 3:40 pm

Yeah they are one of my favorite bands, bought it on vinyl many many years ago and now have it on the re-released CD version. No one really sounded like them then or now.

_________________
http://www.doommantia.com

Guest

I love, love, love thus album (can't you tell?)!

Some people may argue that, by today's standards, it is not really a Doom Metal album, being a bit on the "light" side of things. Well, of course, nay-sayers! Back when it was recorded, Doom Metal had not yet been defined as a genre - at least, that's what older folks told me, while showing me the release date of Candlemass's debut. However, the Black Sabbath influences are worn on their sleeves, the occult atmosphere is unique and amazing, and the lyrics are charmingly goofy! Therefore, since Pagan Altar and Witchfinder General can be labeled as Doom Metal, why should Black Hole be excluded? They are in a similar vein.

As for the Living Mask album, I have to admit that I have not heard it. In fact, I can't find a single person on the whole 'net, that actually enjoys this album. It is considered a big letdown. Regarding the demo's, I have heard only the '83 one, which is quite good, in a more NWOBHM fashion, if I remember correctly.

Could someone tell me if the recent CD re-issue of Land of Mystery is any good, sound-wise? I already have the LP, but I consider picking it up, mainly for the bonus tracks. The previous one, was a poor quality rip from the vinyl, and I would like to know if there is a significant improvement, since it is supposed to be remastered.

Finally, Ghoul, if you like Black Hole, you should check out Paul Chain, Death SS and Run After To. If you haven't already, that is...

Subject: Re: Black Hole Thu Nov 25, 2010 1:56 pm

I have their other recordings too but they pale compared to the first album and I class it as doom-metal, it is just the original doom style which was Sabbath influenced and full of atmosphere. People have lost sight on the origins of doom metal especially younger doom fans who think it is all about being as down-tuned as possible and having a lead singer burping into the microphone. Black Hole are pure classic doom and it is a pity they never got the support they deserved. I remember when I bought my original vinyl they were so totally obscure that I think I paid $30 bucks for it which was a huge price to pay for a record in those days. I have to say that $30 has been one of the best investments I have ever made in my life.

_________________
http://www.doommantia.com

Guest

Never heard about this band - but sound interesting.

Will go and look for that album Very Happy

Guest

Jan wrote:

Never heard about this band - but sound interesting.

Will go and look for that album Very Happy

You should man, it's pretty amazing. This song is my favourite by them.

Guest

I love Paul Chain, early Death SS and Black Hole. Such amazing music.

Subject: Re: Black Hole Fri Dec 03, 2010 7:42 am

Atropos Priest wrote:

I love Paul Chain, early Death SS and Black Hole. Such amazing music.

Those three bands should be considered GODS in the doom scene, why they are not is just wrong.

_________________
http://www.doommantia.com

Guest

Ed wrote:

Atropos Priest wrote:

I love Paul Chain, early Death SS and Black Hole. Such amazing music.

Those three bands should be considered GODS in the doom scene, why they are not is just wrong.

Agreed. Evil Metal is a ridiculously good release. I unfortunately only have Detaching From Satan, In The Darkness and Park of Reason by Paul Chain, he has so many albums it's hard to choose what to listen to... Any recommendations anyone?

Guest

The Ghoul wrote:

Ed wrote:

Atropos Priest wrote:

I love Paul Chain, early Death SS and Black Hole. Such amazing music.

Those three bands should be considered GODS in the doom scene, why they are not is just wrong.

Agreed. Evil Metal is a ridiculously good release. I unfortunately only have Detaching From Satan, In The Darkness and Park of Reason by Paul Chain, he has so many albums it's hard to choose what to listen to... Any recommendations anyone?

Alkahest is one of his best albums, and also the Doom-iest one. It also features Lee Dorrian on 4 songs.

Also, check out the Picture Disc, aka Highway to Hell EP, and Ash. Both of them are great, but keep in mind that they closer to Heavy Metal, than Doom Metal. Still, I Remember A Black Mass from Ash, is a Doom Anthem!

The Italian Doom/Occult Metal scene is definitely underrated, but I think that the reasons behind this are pretty obvious. When these albums were originally released, they were not pressed in large quantities, and they were most likely poorly distributed, since record companies backing these bands were small. Also, most of Paul Chain's releases, have been out of print for years, and those from the 80's had only been released on vinyl. Thankfully, Detaching and Opera IX have recently been reissued, and I hope that more will follow, even though I have heard that Paul Chain does not really care about his older music.

Guest

Wow, not sure how I've missed this after all of these years ha....That youtube jam is titts!!!

Subject: Re: Black Hole Sun Dec 05, 2010 10:51 am

I think the Italian scene is one of the best kept secrets in doom metal, hard to find a bad band at all in that country. Even the traditional heavy metal bands they have there are nearly all very good. They also have a unique way of doing things, they have bands that sound like no-one else, same goes to Greece as well.

_________________
http://www.doommantia.com

Subject: Re: Black Hole Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:29 am

Both Italian and Greek scenes are great, but condemned to stay underground mostly.
A common thing is their love for epic stuff so its natural that most of the doom bands to be more like epic-doom.
At least in Athens epic metal scene is quite strong for sure probably the second strongest after black metal scene.

Here, there is also a big southern/stoner wave blooming too.
Bands like Nightstalker, Planet of Zeus, Lucky Funeral, 1000mods fall into that category.
If anyone want to do more research I propose Planet of Zeus that sound like southern/Down shoit : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Y0oH1wCZ0
and 1000mods: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZnK4BuqmYg

Tell me your opinion if anyone listen!
Cheers.

Subject: Re: Black Hole Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:44 am

The Ghoul wrote:

I was listening to Land of Mystery earlier on today and it got me thinking about this classic band. I honestly think Land of Mystery is one of the best doom albums ever, its got such a fantastic atmosphere, great riffs and interesting vocals! I haven't come across anything quite like it.

Any other fans of them on Doommantia? I've been meaning to get a hold of their second album Living Mask for awhile now but I haven't been able to get it. Can anyone comment on how good it is? I've heard the Beyond the Gravestone demo and to be honest it didn't grab me all that much.

Dude how did you remember them? I thought all of their fans died! I am fan! For me they are 1 album band unfortunately I didn't like their other stuff that much...

Guest

I've never been able to find anything of Living Mask on the net, so I decided to upload the tracks to youtube not too long ago:

1. Return of Gothic Spirit
2. Pain and Pleasure
3. Eternal Lycanthropy
4. Living Masks
5. The Dark Theatre
6. Black Hole

Bonus Tracks:
7. Overture
8. Angel of Lucifer
9. Crying Puppets
10. The End of All Times

Be warned: The drums are a drum machine, and on first listen, they are laughably bad. But the more I listened, the more I thought they fit in perfectly with the music.

My favorite tracks are Living Masks, The Dark Theatre and Black Hole. But towards the beginning of Black Hole there is a weird sproi-oi-oi-oi-oing sound that's kind of weird. Over all, I really like this album, and I even like it more than Land of Mystery.