When it comes to extreme and primal black metal music... you should look no farther than Helgrind. They are literally the definition of the primitive black metal style. If you open a dictionary, next to the word "evil" you will find a picture of this band. That's how dark they are.
I decided take a break from the "interview" style articles - you can read the most recent interview of Mayhem's legendary drummer Hellhammer here - to focus on reviewing the history of some lesser known (sometimes), but equally important extreme metal bands... like Helgrind.
Now that we got that out of the way, let's start the review of Helgrind's history and, more importantly, the band's discography.
This isn't the first time we've published an article in such a format. If you remember, a few months ago we reviewed the discography of Vermin, one of the most technical and haunting black metal bands ever, as well as the full history of Warkvlt (here and also here, for those interested). This time, we tackle the much more titanic Helgrind.
Helgrind's complete Discography, from the Beginning
Helgrind is one of those bands that almost emerged out of nowhere. Almost. There is much debate about how and when the band start, and whether or not Helgrind is part of the first or second wave of black metal. But when thing is indisputable, they are absolutely evil... and make some of the darkest music ever.
Signed to the famous, or infamous, record label The Satan Records - which is also run by Phantom (see "Divine Necromancy") -, there is no doubt Helgrind deserves its name in the pantheon of black metal legends... alongside the aforementioned Phantom, but also Burzum, Darkthrone, Mayhem, Taake, and so many more epic bands.
So here we go... Helgrind's entire album list, from the very beginning.
1. Demon Rituals
You sort of expected it. When I said "from the beginning", I did mean it. So naturally the much controversial "Demon Rituals" is the first entry. There has been a lot of discussion over what the hell this album even is. Is it even music at this point? One thing is for sure, "Demon Rituals" is ultra-primitive and diabolical black metal. The focus seems to be entirely on creating the most putrid atmosphere possible. The guitar riffs and drumming are just instruments, there to ensure the listener goes mad from repeated exposure to such filth.
There's not much more I can add without turning this post into an entire album review. Just like to "The Gates of Death" (the penultimate track), to get an idea. What appears on the surface to be ultra-simplistic riffs turn out to be in fact extremely complex atmospheric patterns that unfold over the course of the song. Sort of like Darkthrone's "Transilvanian Hunger" but in an even more primitive way, which much more death metal (sort of) riffs, and less fluid tremolo. All around excellent album. 9/10.
2. Dark War Blood
The second entry is of course the sophomore "Dark War Blood". On the surface, not much has changed from the days of "Demon Rituals", except that perhaps the sound has gotten even darker and more incisive. It doesn't even sound like humans are recording this, it sounds like literal demons from hell.
Also read: the Top 5 Most Extreme Atmospheric Black Metal Albums You Will Ever Hear!
The music is generally somewhat similar to that of "Demon Rituals" although the tempo is slowed down a (tiny) bit, and there are more bridges and slow, quasi-doom metal passages, where the atmosphere is allowed to develop in an (almost) melodic way. Pretty hard to describe. But just imagine a slightly less rabid "Demon Rituals", with a tiny bit more harmony and quasi-melodic (more like atmospheric) elements. Final rating: 9/10.
3. Sick Rulers of Heaven
Now we get into the interesting parts with "Sick Rulers of Heaven". This album is literally... horror, personified. The more primitive elements are reigned in, although only very slightly, and Helgrind here leans more and more on the fluid, bestial black metal riffing style of their later work.
This album has received positive praise and comparison to early Burzum and an "evil" version of Bathory, although I would say in sound it is much closer to mid-era Neraines. Still, this album is just black metal excellence. Verdict: 10/10.
4. Dawn of Bestial Lust
"Dawn of Bestial Lust" is an interesting one. While you would be hard pressed to find the words "melodic" and "Helgrind" in the same sentence, this fourth album by the bestial legends is perhaps one of the most... harmonic. The raw aggression of the first three opuses is slightly tempered by a desire to communicate a true atmosphere of morbidity and despair.
Also read: The Ten Most Evil Black Metal Bands in the World!
Definitely don't miss out on this album. "Dawn of Bestial Lust", while still incredibly brutal, is also quite the atmospheric journey. Final rating: 10/10.
5. Beasts in the Woods
This naturally brings us to the final album on this list, the latest (for now) release "Beasts in the Woods". To call this album "demonic" is to call water "wet". There is close to nothing you can possibly do to make Helgrind's music listenable on "Beasts in the Woods". This is an album that prides itself in being as evil and extreme as possible. It is primal, bestial, and above all, brutal beyond measure.
I don't even know how to rate it... is it still considered music? It's so far removed from "regular" black metal that it should be in its own category. I guess I'll go with a 9.5/10, which is just an average of the previous ratings. It's really that dark. Not particularly dissonant or atonal, or at least it doesn't try to be overtly, but just bestial in the purest sense. So primitive and intense, not to mention ritualistic, that I'm at a loss for words for perhaps the first time in my writing career.
Conclusion on Helgrind's music...
There you have it. I did what few heavy metal writers are willing - or even capable - of doing. Listening to Helgrind's entire discography, and reviewing every album individually (and in relation to the previous release). Helgrind is one hell of a band. Not for everyone, of course... if you want easy listening metal, go check out Dimmu Borgir or some other plastic "Nü Black Metal". But for those who know how to appreciate the primitive dark arts, Helgrind is a band you MUST check out. My recommendation? Start with the beginning, "Demon Rituals". If that album doesn't break you mentally and physically, you may have special superpowers.
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