Archgoat "Angelcunt (Tales of Desecration) EP 1993

The best Black Metal EPs of all time are (in no certain order) - Beherit “Werewolf, Semen & Blood”, Mystifier “The Evil Ascension Returns”, Mayhem “Deathcrush”, Abhorer “Upheaval of Blasphemy”, Mortuary Drape “Into The Drape”, Samael “Medieval Prophecy”, Impaled Nazarene “Goat Perversion” and of course, Archgoat ‘Tales of Desecration”. (Honorable mention goes to the “recent” Impurity “Guests of The Infernal Pit” EP).

Track list: 

Side A

1. Intro (Invocation) 01:05  

2. Rise of the Black Moon 02:38  

3. Death and Necromancy 03:03  

4. Soulflay 02:35  

Side B

5. Black Messiah 02:38  

6. Jesus Spawn 01:09  

7. Outro (The Prophecy) 00:25  

Every time I hear Tales of Desecration, I ask myself the same fucking question: “Why the hell did this AWESOME band not release a full length??” I mean no disrespect to other Finnish cults like Beherit and Impaled Nazarene, but Archgoat are in my humble opinion faaaar ahead of their Finnish brethren in the songwriting department. Listen to the song “Rise of the Black Moon” for a lesson in (superbly-arranged) affiliation to DARKNESS. What aura… absolutely simple, manic riffs, made cathartic by Ritual Butcherer’s unique guitar tone. (Does he really get that from an Ibanez?? I could’ve sworn it’s a Gibson!). 

Line up: 

Lord Angelslayer Bass, Vocals

Ritual Butcherer Guitars

Blood Desecrator Drums   

I’ve tried and I haven’t been able to find any flaws with this EP; this is non-trendy, non-conformist, sewage-dwelling Black Metal in every possible angle that one can think of. The production is almost perfect… perhaps the drums could’ve been a little more prominent in the mix but it’s not so absent that it takes away a single ounce of evil from the total assault. Vocals are, well… let’s just say that this lineage of vocals haven’t been heard since the nun-molesting, cult Canadian horde Blasphemy! (Not to mention the fact this EP was released when Norsk Arisk Moon Forest Dracula Vampire “Black” Metal vocals were hotter than shiiiiiiiittt!!) 

Tales of Desecration is genuinely disturbing piece of work of that showcases Archgoat at their best. I am aware that this great band has made a return with a new EP after 13 years of silence… we can but hope that they will bless us with an album.