format: Mini-LP
year: 1983
country: Sweden
label: Brute Force
#: BRF 009
info: No insert.
style: Heavy Metal
Side A:
Side B:
"No use in runningThe chorus to GOTHAM CITY's galloping anthem of war against all things false, lame and limpwristed - "The Coven" - is a strong candidate for the official anthem of True, in-our-face, blue-collar, 80's underground METAL. And it's not even the best song on the album. Despite being one of the most legendary early Swedish Metal bands, I still feel they were the most underrated one and it's especially apparent on this their 12"-debut. I'd even go so far as declaring "Black Writs" The Best Swedish Classic Metal album ever. At least if you leave BATHORY and CANDLEMASS alone in their own sub-genres. Other familiars like HEAVY LOAD, DESTINY, TORCH, AXE WITCH etc. simply didn't play in the same kick-ass "all killers no fillers"-division as these Metal Gods Of The North. Musically "Black Writs" is a 10/10 record, no bs. This makes it no less shameful for me to confess that I discovered the band "for real" only a few years ago. The thing that made me turn my back on them all those years before was the infamous vocals of Ola Ohlsson. Now there's an issue that could be debated for pages and pages. Agreed, Mr. Ohlsson does NOT have the most melodic and sensitive voice this side of Hades, but rumors about him being out-of-tune and unlistenable are way exaggerated. Frankly, his monotonous, chanting voice couldn't be more perfect. It totally fits the mood and spirit of the era and gives them something extra in the sense of sincerity and raw melody. Anyone who've heard the awful re-recording of their old 7" theme-song on the '83 demo, with the supposed "much better vocalist" Anders Zackariasson should know what I'm talking about. Not that I would ever put down their superb follow-up and full-length debut of '84, "The Unknown", on which Anders does an excellent job.
we'll get you in the end
Don't try to escape
it'll be your living end
Join the legion
and welcome to our team
Feel the smell of death
AND HEAR OUR VICTIMS SCREAM!"