Alas, for a long time, despite my numerous efforts, I hadn’t managed to see EREB ALTOR play live. Finally, at my third attempt, I succeeded in doing so.
And to tell you the truth, their show wasamazingly good, indeed.
Interestingly, as a rule,apart from their own tracks,the said Swedesperforma number of immortal BATHORY tracks, too. Andso they did at the show I attended, but before they startedtheir performance I`dpurchased their latest album.
At the concert they provided us with A Fine Day to Die from BATHORY`s Blood Fire Death album.
Amazingly performed,the irinterpretation was truly exceptional; EREB ALTOR imbued this song with new life and vitality. Sung with two clean voices,the live version of this classic cut was awesome.
No gimmicks, no false approach, whatsoever. All performed with omnipotent power and full dedication. The majestic passion and devotion for BATHORY were just overwhelmingly palpable. Yes, with each and every sound I could feel how much devoted to Quorthon EREB`s music was.
Anyhow, the show itself was way too short, it wasn’t long enough in my view.Another two bands were just fillers and unable to match EREB`s quality whatsoever; I didn’t really understand why the Swedes opened that show, to be honest.
Well, I took the street car home.
I was so impressed with these guys thatI played their vinyl album right after. This album, in fact, features seven cover songs by BATHORY and was very eager to hear how EREB interpreted BATHORY`s music. So, the moment I got home I started playing that vinyl record and kept playing it all the weekend, no joke.
My jaw dropped, I was more than impressed,really,despite the fact I already know these songs so well, but EREB ALTOR revived those cuts really well. His (Quorthon`s) presence was truly palpable when I played the said album. EREB`s versions are truly beauteous, monumental, full of epic, powerful strength. And the emotions which are coming with this music, they send shivers down my spine.
What a weird blend of excitement and arousal.
The blood rushed to my face while listening to this music; this exceptional music echoed in my soul. I couldn’t stop listening to this album, that would`ve been too painful, indeed. Yes, the whole night was spent with EREB ALTOR`s interpretation of BATHORY`s art.
The way they managed to rearrange BATHORY`s songs is truly exceptional.
I am no fan of covers but I was stunned by what this bands ucceeded incoming up with.
I think the fact both BATHORY and EREB ALTOR hail from Sweden plays a significant role here too;therefore, they share same traditions and same culture. In result, EREB ALTOR`s atmosphere is similarto the one created by Quorthon.
Not too many bands have been able to rearrange and enrich these songs like EREB ALTOR did on this Blot – Ilt – Taut and they did it masterfully, magically almost.
An arduous task indeed, it was.
Another two tracks to enjoywereSons of Hall up Highand Home of Once Bravefrom the immortal album titled Hammerheart. Those two are so well arranged that my eyes filled with tears since Quorthon cannot listen to these songs himself.
Well, or maybe can he?Maybethis music is present somewhere where he is now? Who knows?
The A Side ends with an amazing version ofThe Return of Darkness and Evil.
A breathtaking experience really, this song. It sounds powerful with all thesekeyboards in the background – thisversion is totally omnipotent. Of course, it can’t compare to the original but this variation is really good and interesting.
Side B is for the fans of theUnder the Signalbum. TimelessWoman of Dark Desires and again its orchestration is surprising.
An abundance of keyboard parts makes this song even scarier; clean and aggressive vocals all mixed up with each other – that’s a really good idea.
The sound is massive and renders this song truly stunning.
Twilight of the Godsand the last track Blood Fire Death made me speechless.
Like I`d been tranced, I just kept playing this album again and again.
It is amazing how these hymns devoted to Quorthon made me so happy.
I think anyone obsessed with BATHORY needs to get this record; because this album was created by a group of BATHORY maniacs for BATHORYfanatics. I respect EREB ALTORfor the fact they keep the flame alive, the flame ignited by Thomas Borje Forsberg (Seth Quorthon) in 1983. Blot – Ilt – Taut is excellent homage paid to this ultimate artist.
His death on June 4, 2004 was a loss to all involved in the music metal scene.
Necronosferatus
