Mysticum "In The Streams Of Inferno" Full Moon Productions (1996)

If someone was interested in industrial black metal and I could only show them one album, In the Streams of Inferno would probably be that one album. It encompasses everything one might look for in industrial metal; it's frantic, ugly, mechanical, grey, and uneasy. After listening to a quiet, one minute introduction with only some percussion in the background, "The Rest" kicks in in full force with very machine-like and militaristic drumming, and distorted riffs to complement the aggressive tempo taking place. Vocals range from higher pitched shrieks to inhibited yells, drowned out by the rest of the music. Synths and samples occasionally fit in to add an extra dose of industrial terror.

The track list are:

1 Industries Of Inferno 1:12

2 The Rest 4:36

3 Let The Kingdom Come 5:06

4 Wintermass 5:55

5 Crypt Of Fear 6:19

6 Where The Raven Flies 4:25

7 In Your Grave 3:43

8 In The Last Of The Ruins We Search For A New Planet 5:41

Line-Up was:

Mean Malmberg - Vocals and Guitars

Prime Evil - Bass and Programming

Cerastes - Guitars

That is the main formula for most of these songs, but the music is a bit more complex than that. Each track has its own set of smaller ideas that help differentiate them from the rest. After listening to this album, you'd be amazed at learning how versatile industrial black metal can really be. A good example is in "Crypt of Fear." The song starts with roughly 100 seconds of uncomfortable synths that paint an atmosphere of bleakness. Then, the heaviness and speeding drums pop in abruptly. This time, as opposed to higher shrieks, the vocals have a more yelling sound similar to what you'd find in some older thrash bands. They're catchy enough so you can "sing" along in your head. All of a sudden, the music slows down unexpectedly and the vocals revert back to the higher shrieks. The music is now bleaker than ever, showing a new shade of grey ugliness that Mysticum capitalizes so well on. It's an absolutely menacing song that will make you see how miserable this world really is!

On the other hand, "Wintermass" has a more moderate tempo, focusing a lot more on synths; however, the synths are hard to hear so you'll need to listen well. The music reminds me of something you'd hear in an old, abandoned factory that still produces...This track is also a great example of how influential the riffs are in making that atmosphere. The notes played are incredibly deep and foggy thanks to the unclear production. Again, there's a sense of misery and tension coming out of these tracks and the members of Mysticum really hit the nail on the head in accomplishing that ambience. 

At the end of the day, there isn't too much more to say about In Streams of Inferno. It has everything that makes an industrial black metal album great and more! Even the cover art is cool - a blackened landscape being drenched by a storm-infested ocean. Nothing bright is to be found! I gaurantee you'll find something interesting about this album. Even if you thought industrial metal was lame in the past, or never really got into it, the guys behind Mysticum might be able to tell you otherwise. In Streams of inferno was(and still is) a one of a kind album that no doubt influenced many newer bands like Blacklodge and it didn't happen for no reason. Buy this album and you'll be please that you did.

1996

Some link about a few album´s songs.