Metal History Through Fanzines

Darkthrone (NOR)

Crematory Zine #1 (Czechoslovakia) (1992)

Crematory Zine #1 (Czechoslovakia) (1992) Editor: “Kerry” (in Slovak)

Slovakian zine from 1992, released in 1993. Has many of the classics in their prime. Although not much to read if you don’t know Slovak, the design is nice and features some band photos I have not seen elsewhere. Interviews and short features with Acheron, Amon, Beherit, Amorphis, Derketa, Mythic, Sentenced, Bolt Thrower, Carcass, Cenotaph, Darkthrone, Dismember, Entombed, Funebre, Malediction, Mayhem, Deceased, Xysma, Damnatory, Varathron, Unleashed, Bestial Summoning, Incantation, Putrid Offal and more.

The Editor of this zine also released two compilation tapes, Carnage vol.1 & vol.2 (thanks Daniel M. for sharing).

June 13, 2020 | Categories: Acheron (US), Beherit (FIN), Bestial Summoning (NL), Bolt Thrower (UK), Carbonized (SWE), Carcass (UK), Cathedral (UK), Cenotaph (MEX), Crematory Zine (CSK) (In Slovak), Damnatory (SWZ), Darkthrone (NOR), Deceased (US), Deicide (US), Denial of God (DEN), Derketa (US), Dismember (SWE), Entombed (SWE), Exulceration (SWZ), Funebre (FIN), Incantation (US), Malediction (UK), Mayhem (NOR), Putrid Offal (FR), Sentenced (FIN), Unleashed (SWE), Xentrix (UK) | Leave a comment

Blasphemous #1 (Greece) 1991

Blasphemous #1 (Greece) 1991. Editors: “Morbid”, “John”, “Stephan” and “Photis”

 

Received this fantastic early 90’s gem directly from the source (thanks for sharing Swamp beast!); a bit uneven in parts but the ambition is undeniable; pretty much a ‘who’s who’ of both black and death metal circa 90/91, from the demo reviews to the articles and interviews. Now out bound in book form from Fryktos! Features Abbhorrent, Transgressor, Blasphemy, Alastis, Desecrator, Sentenced, Atrocity, Baphomet, Beherit, Mortify, Darkthrone, Noktunral, Deadhead, Convulse, Deceased, Sigh, Entombed, Horrified, Septic Flesh, Messiah, Misanthrope, Mortuary Drape, Mystifier, Necromantia, Nocturnus, Septic Flesh, Pentagram (MEX), Phlegethon, Rotting Christ, Bolt Thrower, Necrofist, Sadus, Sargatanas, Sarcofago, Ripping Corpse, Satanas, Necrophobic, Sextrash, Vader, Varathron, Vital Remains, reviews and more….

 

October 24, 2018 | Categories: Alastis (SWZ), Atrocity (GER), Baphomet (US), Beherit (FIN), Blasphemous (GRE), Blasphemy (CAN), Bolt Thrower (UK), Convulse (FIN), Darkthrone (NOR), Dead Head (NL), Deceased (US), Entombed (SWE), Messiah (SWZ), Misanthrope (FR), Mortuary Drape (IT), Mystifier (BZL), Necromantia (GR), Necrophobic (SWE), Nocturnus (US), Nokturnel (US), Sadus (US), Sarcofago (BZL), Sentenced (FIN), Septic Flesh (GR), Sex Trash (BZL), Sigh (JPN), Transgressor (JP), Uncategorized, Vader (POL), Varathron (GR), Vital Remains (US) | Leave a comment

The Black Montanas Of Thy Septentrio #1 (United States, TX) October, 1993.

The Black Montanas Of Thy Septentrio #1 (United States, TX) October, 1993. Editors: “Equitant” and “Proscriptor”

A massive volume representative of everything mystical and ethereal about the early 1990s black metal underground. Based in Texas and produced by Equitant & Proscriptor from Absu, this zine is a document of an era; packed with not only interviews, but also with tons of newsletters and pages and pages of fliers (many of which were circulating the underground at the time, and some I have never seen before). Thanks to Equitant for scanning this and sending it over. Features, interviews, fliers with Zemial, Necromantia, Agatus, Rotting Christ, Varathron, Twilight, Grand Belial’s Key, Mortuary Drape, Ancient Rites, Chris Moyen, Lemegothon, Impaled Nazarene, Beherit, Divine Eve, Countess, Absymal, Vital Remains, Ungod, Emperor, Darkthrone, Enslaved, Burzum, Abruptum, Immortal, Master’s Hammer, Moonspell, Samael, Sarcofago, Celtic Frost, Liars in Wait, Sigh, Profanatica, Incantation, Thou Shalt Suffer, Occult, Blasphemy, Absu, Equimanthorn, Order From Chaos, Demoncy, Osmose Productions, Deathlike Silence, Decapitated Records and much more…

July 8, 2018 | Categories: Abbath, Abruptum (SWE), Absu (US), Abysmal (NOR), Agatus (GRE), Ancient Rites (BEL), Behemoth (POL), Beherit (FIN), Black Crucifixion (FIN), Blasphemy (CAN), Burzum (NOR), Celtic Frost (SWZ), Chris Moyen, Darkthrone (NOR), Deathlike Silence Productions, Decapitated Records (GRE), Demoncy (US), Divine Eve (US), Emperor (NOR), Enslaved (NOR), Equimanthorn (US), Equitant (US), Grand Belial's Key (US), Immortal (NOR), Impaled Nazarene (FIN), Incantation (US), Liers In Wait (SWE), Lullaby (BZL), Master's Hammer (CZ), Mayhem (NOR), Moonspell (POR), Mordor (SWZ), Necromantia (GR), Occult (NL), Osmose Productions (FR), Possessed (US), Profanatica (US), Rotting Christ (GR), Samael (SWTZ), Sarcofago (BZL), Satanism - Occult, Sigh (JPN), The Black Montanas Of Thy Septentrio (US), Thou Shalt Suffer (NOR), Uncategorized, Varathron (GR), Zemial (GRE) | 1 Comment

From Beyond Zine #6 (Norway) Winter 2000/2001

From Beyond Zine #6 (Norway) Winter 2000/2001. Editor: “Evil Ed”

Norwegian zine from Evil Ed, published by Red Stream. Contains a number of interesting interviews from (what was) an kind of transitional time in the underground (circa 2000/2001), with first era-ending (the first time around) chats with Anglecorpse and Asphyx, as well as interviews with Darkthrone, Diabolic, Decayed, Holocausto Canibal, Immolation, Macabre, Machetazo, Morbid Angel, Necrophagia, Nifelheim, Rebaelliun, Vomitory, demo reviews, a feature on Jeffrey Dahmer, and more. This was originally shared by the excellent Asmodian Coven blog (via contributor Pawel) – many thanks for putting it online.

October 31, 2016 | Categories: Angelcorpse (US), Asphyx (NL), Darkthrone (NOR), Diabolic (US), From Beyond Zine (NOR), Holocausto Canibal (POR), Immolation (US), Machetazo (SPN), Morbid Angel (US), Necrophagia (US), Nifelheim (SWE), Rebaelliun (BZL), Red Stream, Uncategorized, Vomitory (SWE) | Leave a comment

Never Believe #1 (Sweden) 1990

Never Believe #1 (Sweden) 1990. Editors: “Magnus Forsberg” and “Johan Axelsson”

Compact zine from Johan Axelsson/Liiva and Magnus Forsberg, with features and interviews with Exulceration, Macabre End (God Macabre), Unleashed, Cadaver, Therapy, Skull, Dissection, Psychowards, Derketa, Necrophobic, Suffer, Authorize, Darkthrone, GGFH, reviews, and more…thx to org. scanner/deathmetal.org archive

September 18, 2016 | Categories: Authorize (SWE), Cadaver (NOR), Darkthrone (NOR), Derketa (US), Dissection (SWE), Earache Records (UK), Exmortis (US), Exulceration (SWZ), God Macabre (SWE), Necrophobic (SWE), Never Believe (SWE), Playlists, Reviews, Suffer (SWE), Therapy (IRE), Tribulation (SWE), Unleashed (SWE) | Leave a comment

Holocaust #4 (Poland) 1990

Holocaust #4 (Poland) 1990. Editor: “Tomasz Krajewski”

Another issue of this classic  zine from eventual Pagan Records (Poland) founder Tomasz Krajewski…pretty much a who’s who of the great underground bands on 1990…an absolutely incredible issue. Including Acheron, Rottrevore, Mayhem, Blasphemy, Exit 13, Bolt Thrower, Darkthrone, Asphyx, Deadhead, Desultory, Afflicted Convulsion (Afflicted), Entombed, Necromantia, Phlegethon, Crematory, Hellwitch, Malediction, Invocator, Malevolent Creation, Necrophobic, Death Yell, Necrophile, Nuclear Death, Carbonized, Pestilence, Old Funeral, Revenant, General Surgery, Rotting Christ, Sadistic Intent, Samael, Abhorrence, Desultory, Sodom, Merciless, Therion, Unleashed and much more…thx to uploader Tezcat from NWN!Board for sharing.

 

September 6, 2015 | Categories: Abhorrence (FIN), Acheron (US), Afflicted (SWE), Asphyx (NL), Blasphemy (CAN), Bolt Thrower (UK), Carbonized (SWE), Cremetory (SWE), Darkthrone (NOR), Dead Head (NL), Death Yell (CH), Desultory (SWE), Entombed (SWE), Exit 13 (US), General Surgery (SWE), Hellwitch (US), Holocaust (POL), Invocator (DK), Malediction (UK), Malevolent Creation (US), Mayhem (NOR), Merciless (SWE), Necromantia (GR), Necrophile (JP), Necrophobic (SWE), News, Nuclear Death (US), Old Funeral (NOR), Pestilence (NL), Phlegethon (FIN), Polish Scene Report, Revenant (US), Rottrevore (US), Sadistic Intent (US), Samael (SWTZ), Sodom (GER), Therion (SWE), Uncategorized, Unleashed (SWE) | 1 Comment

Pagan Kalewala #2 (Finland) 1994

Pagan Kalewala #2 (Finland) 1994. Editor: “Ari Honkonen ”

Skyclad are on the cover…but not inside (sigh)….one of my all time favorite bands (after Sabbat!)…Martin Walkyier was and is among THE best lyricists in the history of metal…there – I said it! Anyways…this is a zine from Ari of the Finnish band Morningstar, with interviews/features/updates with Immolation (talking about leaving Roadrunner Records), Congestion, Necromantia, Varathron, Troll (94), a number of reviews, Finnish scene report/Finnish witchcraft history, and more. Brief, but fun (how I love that typewriter font from the early-mid 90s)…issue #1 is next – thanks S.L.!

 

October 17, 2014 | Categories: Cathedral (UK), Cradle of Filth (UK), Darkthrone (NOR), Finnish scene report, Immolation (US), Mayhem (NOR), Morningstar (FIN), Naked Whipper (GER), Necromantia (GR), Pagan Kalewala (FIN), Reviews, Skyclad (UK), Varathron (GR) | Leave a comment

Isten #5 (Finland) 1990

Isten #5 (Finland) 1990. Editors: “Mikko Mattila” and “Luxi Lahtinen”

Fantastic, long-running zine from Finland (in English) that is one of the few to achieve truly ‘cult’ status – and on that note, they are apparently constructing a retrospective book (!) that is currently closing in on 800 pages. Stay tuned- (Their F-book page is here for updates). This is issue #5 from Mikko and Luxi, just an amazing example of DIY publishing from the golden era of death metal. Thanks to Vladimir P. for sending it over. This MASSIVE 93+ page issue features interviews and features with/on Acheron, Afflicted, Asphyx, Vacant Grave, Baphomet, Devastation, Darkthrone, deadhorse, Deceased, Disgrace, Disharmonic Orchestra, Entombed, Exit-13, Funebre, Gorefest, Impetigo, Invocator, Maple Cross, Metalion (Slayer Mag), Morgoth, Order From Chaos, Paradise Lost, Phantasm, Phlegethon, Seraphic Decay Records, Sigh, Therion, Vital Remains, Xysma, reviews and many more.

November 25, 2013 | Categories: Acheron (US), Afflicted (SWE), Asphyx (NL), Baphomet (US), Darkthrone (NOR), Dead Horse (US), Deceased (US), Demigod (FIN), Devastation (US), Disgrace (FIN), Disharmonic Orchestra (AU), Entombed (SWE), Exit 13 (US), Fanzines, Funebre (FIN), Gorefest (NL), Impetigo (US), Invocator (DK), Isten (FIN), Morgoth (GER), Order From Chaos (US), Paradise Lost (UK), Phantasm (US), Phlegethon (FIN), Playlists, Reviews, Seraphic Decay Records, Sigh (JPN), Slayer Zine (NOR), Therion (SWE), Uncategorized, Vacant Grave (US), Vital Remains (US), Xysma (FIN), Zine Reviews | Leave a comment

Blasphemer #1 (Chile) 1990 (in Spanish/Español)

Blasphemer #1 (Chile) 1990 (in Spanish/Español). Editors: “Juan Olmedo” and “Christian Vargas”

Another zine from the vibrant Chilean scene (also fully downloadable via the Crucified for Your Sins blog- check it out and thanks Mario), with interviews/reviews/features on a number of pivotal bands right at the point they were developing…I could find no date, but after some investigating I feel pretty sure this is from 1990. Includes among others Apparition, Baphomet, Cadaver, Carnage, Benediction, Abhorrence, Darkthrone, Mortem, Asphyx, Demolition Hammer, Forced Entry, Ripping Corpse, Hexx, Winter, Tormentor, Immolation, Invocator, Carbonized, Entombed, Malevolent Creation, Massacra, Mayhem Merciless, Mortuary Drape, Treblinka, Wild Rags Records, Nocturnus, Paradise Lost, Phlegethon, Sadism, Schizo, Acheron, Vader, Exmortis, Vengeance etc…

June 17, 2013 | Categories: Abhorrence (FIN), Acheron (US), Amputation (NOR), Apparition (US), Asphyx (NL), Baphomet (US), Benediction (UK), Blasphemer Zine (CH) español, Cadaver (NOR), Carbonized (SWE), Carnage (SWE), Darkthrone (NOR), Demolition Hammer (US), Entombed (SWE), Exmortis (US), Forced Entry (US), Hexx (US), Immolation (US), Invocator (DK), Malevolent Creation (US), Massacra (FR), Mayhem (NOR), Merciless (SWE), Mortem (NOR), Mortuary Drape (IT), Nocturnus (US), Paradise Lost (UK), Phlegethon (FIN), Samael (SWTZ), Schizo (IT), The Wild Rag! (USA), Totten Korps (CH), Treblinka (SWE), Vader (POL), Vengeance (Rising) (US), Winter (US) | 2 Comments

Rockcor (Russia) #9, 1995 (in Russian)

Rockcor (Russia) #9, 1995. Editor: ?

This is one of the few older Russian publications I have, so if you can not read it, enjoy the pics. I also checked and it seems this is being published again in some newer, modern form. Either way, interviews and features with Pantera, Darkthrone, Dismember, Deadworld, Dying Fetus, Rage, Mercyful Fate, Necropsychosis, Leukemia, and more.

 

April 16, 2012 | Categories: Darkthrone (NOR), Dead World (US), Dismember (SWE), Dying Fetus (US), Leukemia (SWE), Mercyful Fate (DK), Necropsychosis (RUS), Nuclear Blast Records (GER), Pantera (US), Rage (GER), Rockcor (RUS) in Russian | Leave a comment

Dauthus Zine #1 (Sweden) 1996

Dauthus Zine #1 (Sweden) 1996, Editor: “Timo Ketola”

This zine has a sort of ‘cult’ following these days, and its well deserved. Herra Ketola obviously put untold hours of blood and brains into his zines, with exceptional and witty writing, original layouts, and aesthetic taste that was rare among the multitude of zines that had come before (and after), with only a handful achieving this creative plateau. Perhaps Herra Ketola might forgive the crass re-representation here, as these scans  can not do justice to the warm, ‘analog’ feel of holding this zine in one’s hands. This is hand-numbered copy #227, and the beauty is indeed in the details. Some have  complained about the difficult to read “Fraktur” font, and while it is small, the work one ultimately must put into engaging the writing is also part of the reward (in a sense). This is one that you might want to print out and read either way. This issue features interviews with artist SV Bell, A Mind Confused (later Kaamos), Sepulchral Voice Zine’s creator, Equimanthorn (+Absu+Equitant), Impetigo, The Equinox of the Gods, Dying Fetus (…with ‘yours truly’), Cruachan, Moonspell, and many more, as well as a feature on W.A.R. Records, a cool write-up on historic and/or interesting cemeteries, and much more fun in the details and margins…seek and ye shall find…

 

January 29, 2012 | Categories: A Mind Confused (SWE), Absu (US), Cernunnos Woods (US), Cruachan (IRE), Daemonium (FRA), Darkthrone (NOR), Dauthus Zine (SWE), Demo Reviews, Dissection (SWE), Dying Fetus (US), Equimanthorn (US), Equitant (US), Gods Tower (BEL), Impetigo (US), Live Reviews, Mayhem (NOR), Mirai (JPN), Moonspell (POR), News, Reviews, Satyricon (NOR), Sepulchral Voice Zine, SV Bell, The Equinox of the Gods (SWE), Unearthly (IRE), Wrong Again Records (SWE), Zine Reviews | Leave a comment

Screams From the Gutter #27 (NJ, USA) Feb/Mar 1991

Screams From the Gutter #27 (NJ, USA) Feb/Mar 1991, Editor: “Evil Dave”

This zine consisted primarily of album reviews, although this issue does have an interview with Prime Evil. Either way, fun stuff, and a good look into what was on the record-store shelves in early 1991.

 

November 24, 2011 | Categories: Adverts, At Death's Door Compilation, Biohazard (US), Black Sabbath (UK), Cerebral Fix (UK), Darkthrone (NOR), Demo Reviews, Exhorder (US), Hellwitch (US), Ironchrist (US), King Diamond (DEN), Necrophagia (US), Obituary (US), Prime Evil (US), Reviews, Roadrunner Records (US), Sadus (US), Screams From the Gutter (US), The Wild Rag! (USA), Treponem Pal (FR), Vio-lence (US) | Leave a comment

Slayer Zine #10 (Norway) 1994

Slayer Zine #10 (Norway). 1994. Editor: “Metalion” (highlights)

This is a massive issue, 75+ pages of (nearly all) black metal, featuring almost every major name in the scene at the time. Printed on thick paper, with a red cover, it ushered in yet another step in great quality from this long running Norwegian zine. Also check out the Bazillion Points Press of the “Slayer Mag Diaries” -out now. Highlights include VERY early interviews with Opeth (even before Timo Ketola masterfully reworked their logo) and Dissection, right after the release of The Somberlain. For dark humor, I suggest the great answers provided in both the Nifelheim and Sadistik Exekution interviews. And well, for all the black metal history buffs, this one is just stocked with it (check out the prison interview with Thorns) . Also of note is the fantastic Bathory retrospective.