The Sinister Flame

01/01/2024

FAREWELL

You can rest assured it is with a heavy heart this announcement is made. But, as always, what must be done will be done, and now it is time for this gateway to close.

Following in the trails of the Satanic metal publications I created in the 90's, The Sinister Flame started as a printed magazine in 2004 with the vision of the ultimate Black Metal publication where the various dark philosophies, ideologies, and spiritual currents upon which genuine Black Metal is forever based on are examined and discussed with serious artists.

The label activities started on this very day in 2014 with the release of "Sinister Ceremonies" by Domains. It has been followed by 28 releases on TSF and 6 releases on our sub-label Septenary Arts.

Therefore it feels appropriate now, today, precisely 20 years since the beginning of the magazine and 10 years since the beginning of the label, to announce that 2024 shall be the end of TSF. That is – there will be no further releases.

It goes without saying that this has been a difficult decision, yet carefully considered one. There is a certain time and place for everything, and on a personal level it feels like TSF has now served its purpose and achieved the goals I initially set for it. In other words, it's time to move onwards – or beyond.

No doubt TSF has been an insightful ride for myself – with both the magazine and the label – and the stories are many. I am truly proud of the releases we did. I believe these releases will stand the test of time and they will surely be discovered time and again.

A sincere thank you to all of our artists, associates, distributors, supporters and customers throughout the years. You know who you are.

- Frater NW

11/08/2023

SOLD OUT!

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP

As was to expected, the entire pressing got sold out from us straight away.

But you haven't necessarily missed out yet. Some people chose not to follow our guidelines about ordering just one copy, so we are cancelling their orders and these copies will be added to the shop again some time soon.

Also, whereas it seems most of our distributors sold out instantly as well, Dark Descent Records still have copies left in the US. Some small quantities is yet to be listed by a couple of places.

Thank you everyone who ordered. Please do understand that it is going to take a bit of time to get all the orders sorted out and shipped, so... patience.

Most importantly – HAIL EURONYMOUS!

10/08/2023

Out now!

V/A "A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous" LP

BEFORE YOU ORDER, READ THIS CAREFULLY:

* Only ONE copy per order! If you order multiple copies of this LP, we will cancel your order.

* Shipping costs for single LPs are always high. We have well over 1000+ items in stock, so we would recommend ordering other items as well while at it, which also allows sturdier packaging.

* The LP is (or will be) also available from our distributors, most notably for this release: Dark Descent (USA), Iron Bonehead & Ván (GERMANY), Katakomben & Duplicate (NORWAY), Mephisto (DENMARK) and Aeon Of Fire (AUSTRALIA). Support your local death-dealer!

Tracklist:
Har Shatan – Funeral Fog
Aethyrick – Freezing Moon
Orthodoxy – Cursed in Eternity
Abyssvm – Pagan Fears
Ordinance – Life Eternal
Baxaxaxa – From the Dark Past
Ifrinn – Buried by Time and Dust
Stygian Temple – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Today, on the 10th of August, 2023, it has been precisely 30 years since the passing of a soul whose unique visions and mindset have inspired us in our own work for over three decades already. It is time to commemorate that.

This LP is our - that is, The Sinister Flame and our bands – tribute to Euronymous. Instead of putting together a mishmash of random tracks, we chose to cover the entire De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas from start to finish, because, as we all know, this album was the ultimate culmination and demonstration of Euronymous' unparalleled musical genius and sinister spirit.

This LP will never be repressed nor will it be available on any other format.

Head over here to secure your copy: www.thesinisterflame.com/shop

09/08/2023

Part 8/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Stygian Temple – De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas

Says Stygian Temple:

- ”We don’t dedicate our interpretation of 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' – one of the most iconic songs in Black Metal history – to single individuals. Instead, we honour the creative spirit and the diabolical madness of the early nineties as well as the subsequent years of radicalism.

'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' as a whole stands as a monument of extremism in several regards. As an opus forged in the heat of unleashed frenzy, uncompromising hatred and rebellion against life itself. This is the legacy of the founders of the second wave – all of them, regardless of their current words and deeds (if still alive). A legacy that will outlast the numerous attempts at turning Black Metal into ridiculous entertainment for the mundane masses.

The past is alive…”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released tomorrow on August the 10th. Sales open at 6 p.m.

08/08/2023

Part 7/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Ifrinn – Buried by Time and Dust

Says Ifrinn:

- ”Ifrinn chose to perform ’Buried by Time and Dust' as it is simply a personal favourite from the album. It is both relentless and atmospheric. While most bands may decide to cover new ground or expand upon a composition, we simply decided to honour Euronymous by performing it as ferocious as possible.

The lyrics conjure vast imagery of ancient times, forgotten ruins, bitter solitude and claustrophobic darkness. The influence on Ifrinn is obvious. It also showcases perfectly the signature style of Euronymous on his instrument. Creating massive atmosphere with primitive riffs and attitude. Nothing more needs to be said.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

07/08/2023

Part 6/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Baxaxaxa – From the Dark Past

Says Baxaxaxa:

- ”From the dark past...we returned! Looking at the history of Baxaxaxa with the 1992 'Hellfire' demo, followed by a 25-year hiatus, it was important to us to choose a track that has a reference to our band history as we just returned from the dark past and that's also where our music is rooted, still to this day.

It goes without saying that when choosing the track, it was of priority to create a cover that immediately represents the components that have been typical for Baxaxaxa right from the beginning. Building the song from the bones with slowing down the general tempo and adding keyboard to support the dark atmosphere even further as well as adding a personal expression through the vocals, forming our very own vision of the track, and a salute to a true underground icon from the dark past.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

06/08/2023

Part 5/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Ordinance – Life Eternal

Says Ordinance:

- ”'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' is indubitably among the handful of Black Metal albums in history that reaches full perfection on all fronts, and its magic only keeps on increasing the more years go by. Of the album's tracks, especially 'Life Eternal' has a special importance and significance for us. As if the whole haunted history of Mayhem up to the moment of Euronymous' murder was condensed and captivated into this very song.

'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' was created in times when Black Metal was still boiling within its most aggressive formative years, and Euronymous' vision spearheaded the art form into the unknown realms that were never reached before or quite ever since. And as we all know, these times were the end of innocence, things got dangerous and Black Metal was cemented to thrive outside from the normal.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

05/08/2023

Part 4/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Abyssvm – Pagan Fears

Says Abyssvm:

- ”With this track, Abyssvm pays homage to the spirit that should envelop Black Metal created with integrity and honor. Euronymous represented this movement in many ways and was part of this story from its very womb - from the times when the musical world reveled in Darkness and the skies were painted black.

As survivors from this era, we manifest the track respecting the music, yet adding our own style as composers, shaping a sinister and terrifying atmosphere.

We are grateful for TSF for the invitation to be part of this tribute. If we were not sure of contributing something interesting, we would never have accepted to be part of such an honorable musical emanation. Just participating was not an option.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

04/08/2023

Part 3/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Orthodoxy – Cursed in Eternity

Says Orthodoxy:

- ”Euronymous, and 'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' in particular, took us where others didn't dare to step, dragging us into a gloomy ambience, drawing unique landscapes for this unrepeatable album. 'Cursed in Eternity' unfolds its majestic darkness upon an intense sinister feeling in every second of this piece. A timeless album, where the art transcends the artist.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

03/08/2023

Part 2/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Aethyrick – Freezing Moon

Says Aethyrick:

- ”'De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas' is a veritable treasure chest full of gems, but for us no other shines like 'Freezing Moon'. The opening riff alone is worthy of an obsidian crown in our books. In short, our pick was an easy one.

Because the original track is pure perfection, we chose not to even try to gaze upon this particular face of the moon from the summit of the same mountain as legends past but from a hilltop of our own.

This is our humble yet solemn salute to the mastermind of aural darkness.”

V/A ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” LP will be released on August the 10th.

03/08/2023

Baxaxaxa's ”De Vermis Mysteriis” will be released on September the 1st.

”Kiss of Shame” from the album streams now on the Transmissions From the Dark channel.

Ancient magicks and subterranean mysteries will be unleashed this September through the second full length album from Baxaxaxa.Revel in the primordial ritual...

02/08/2023

Part 1/8

Introduction of the artists and their cover tracks on ”A Sinister Hail to the King – A Tribute to Euronymous” compilation LP

Har Shatan – Funeral Fog

Says Har Shatan:

- ”I had my first contact with Mayhem through the 'Projections of a Stained Mind' sampler in 1991. I already knew back then that this was a band to keep an eye on. Two years later I got a tape copy of the 'Live in Leipzig' LP and was blown away. Sure, you already knew 'A Blaze in the Northern Sky', but this was an early testimony of Norwegian black metal – a recording made at a time when most of the other bands were still playing typical death metal. 'Funeral Fog' was already back then one of my favourite songs and has remained so to this day, so it was an honour for me to cover this song with JR on drums.

Without Euronymous, black metal would not be as we know it today. Perhaps it would even have fallen into oblivion. There was the term Black Metal through Venom, but at a certain point there was no music genre with that name. Old Bathory, old S***m, old Sepultura, Hellhammer, even early Mayhem themselves were always assigned to the Death Metal genre in the beginning. Only later did they become the first wave of true black metal. Euronymous himself created his own genre, the Black Metal that we know today. Hail Euronymous!”

V/A "A Sinister Hail to the King - A Tribute to Euronymous" LP will be released on August the 10th.