Necrophobic - The Nocturnal Silence (1993)

Information

Artist – Necrophobic

Album – The Nocturnal Silence

Label – Black Mark Production

Released – August 2nd, 1993

Type – Full-length

Genre – Blackened Death Metal; Black Metal; Death Metal

Additional

Notes

The Nocturnal Silence is the debut full-length by Stockholm, Sweden blackened death metal four-piece Necrophobic, released on August 2nd, 1993 through Black Mark Production; the album documents the early lineup of Anders Strokirk — lead vocals, David Parland — guitars, keyboards, lyrics, and principal riff construction, Tobbe Sidegård — bass and backing vocals, and Joakim Sterner — drums, lyrics, and songwriting. Recorded and mixed at Studio Sunlight in March 1993, engineered by Lars Lindén and produced, engineered, and mixed by Tomas Skogsberg with Necrophobic, it keeps the compressed Stockholm death metal studio character but pushes it toward tremolo-driven black/death riffing, ritual melodic lead phrasing, and occult atmosphere closer to Dissection, Unanimated, and Grotesque than to straight HM-2 death metal. The lyrical frame follows death, darkness, Satanism, anti-Christianity, ritual invocation, and nocturnal religious inversion, with the track sequence using short instrumental or atmospheric passages as separators inside an otherwise riff-dense death metal structure. The first Black Mark CD appeared as BMCD 40; a small Cargo Records Germany US-market pressing substituted the short instrumental “Shadows of the Moon” where most European and later editions carried “Inborn Evil,” while subsequent reissues through Hammerheart Records, Painkiller Records, and Karmageddon Media standardized “Inborn Evil” across CD and vinyl variants; no album-specific cover-song bonus track is documented for the core release. Reception fits its tier as a Swedish underground/independent debut that later became a reference point for early blackened death metal: not a charting commercial release, but a heavily cited early-1990s bridge between Stockholm death metal production and the darker melodic black/death direction that would define much of Necrophobic’s later catalogue.

Videos

- Live with Blackmoon/Parland, 1994
- Live at Wacken Open Air, 2019 (Full Show)
- The Nocturnal Silence (Live at Party San, 2005)

Additional

Track 5 of this CD has a nice history: the first European pressing by Black Mark Production had noted track 5 as "Shadows of the Moon", a short (1:14) quasi-instrumental in the booklet and on the back cover, but by mistake they pressed "Inborn Evil" as the song on the CD. Approx. 1000 CDs were pressed for the US market by Cargo Records Germany where track 5 was noted as "Shadows of the Moon" in the booklet and on the back cover and where "Shadows of the Moon" is also pressed on CD. This record is the one and only pressing with this instrumental song "Shadows of the Moon".

All other European reissues by Hammerheart Records, Painkiller Records and Karmageddon Media have "Inborn Evil" noted on the back cover/booklet and the song "Inborn Evil" pressed on the CD/LP.

Recording

Recorded and mixed at Studio Sunlight March 1993.
Produced by Necrophobic & Thomas Skogsberg.

Identifiers

Barcode: 4 012743 004029
Matrix / Runout: BOD BMP BMCD 40
ASIN: B00008ESDZ
Rights Society: GEMA
Labelcode: LC 6201

Tracklist

1. Awakening... – 04:25 >

[Music is by Parland/Sterner] [Lyrics are by Sterner] My prayers have been answered I'm no longer a victim of God I died for the right master The one that I will serve They'll believe my soul is resting But how can they be so wrong This is where life begins Where it will be everlasting As a reincarnated soul I'm rising in this unholy kingdom A paradise made for the immortals Where your corpse shall be our feast Underneath the blackened ground An unholy ritual is soon to begin Gathering for a black mass As I speak the words of Satan As darkness falls Spirits are set free As darkness fall Awakening of the dead From the chalice filled with blood We drink and increase the immortal power United in a dance of death To cause damnation against the false As you call upon your fake God Devastation is filling the air Rising through the gates of hell Retaliation of the evil ones [Backing vocals are by Tobias Sidegård:] As darkness falls Spirits are set free As darkness fall Awakening of the dead

2. Before the Dawn – 04:22 >

At dawn the prophecies were told Demonic spells surrounded the moon Infernal flames enlightened the altar Where the lord awaited the human sacrifice Before the dawn of time The devil was cursed from heaven Condemned to the abyss of hell Satan seeks for the merciless revenge In the shadows of the damned The priest speaks the incantation A sacrifice to the lord Shall be made of human blood and flesh Awaiting at the altar of death The priest prepares for the dying Satan consumes the victim As the black mass comes to the end Priest: Lord of darkness, hear the call Come forth and bring us evil Arise from hell before the dawn And break the holy curse Priest: I sacrifice you bastard child The time has come to take your life Born of evil in the name of Christ You shall die!!!

3. Unholy Prophecies – 05:42 >

Worshipping laws of christianity Depending on the book of lies Read in the book of prophecies And speak the words of blasphemy Selling your soul for abandonment of God Living by the book, you ignore the truth of lies Following the cross for salvation when you're dead Servant of God, you are only living lies Born to pray to Christ To sanctify the priest Baptized to dying Is it your belief Live your life to the inverted cross The lord of hell is the one to sanctify Turn your back to christianity Belivers of God shall die People led to hell by christianity Masses betrayed for the power of greed By the holiness of our lord you shall crucify your God Followers of lies: Now you must decide See through the lies Leave the spell of Christ Dechristianize yourself To the unholy prophecies Born to pray to Christ To sanctify the priest Baptized to dying Is it your belief

4. The Nocturnal Silence – 05:13 >

Gaze at the twilight in the bloodred sky The evil gods are rising Shadows revealed by the darkened moon Behold the diabolical signs Nocturnal souls gathered through time Preparing the unholy rite Seeds of blasphemies on the hallowed ground Awaiting for the masters arrival A freezing silence descends in the night Cold winds wisper damnation Deathlike shadows rising on the ground The call of the lord of creation Evil waits in the realm beyond the sky As tears of blood fall down Lords of lords, in a time before time Are rising from the nocturnal silence Ancient lords of dreadful evil Enter through the seven gates Legions of scornful daemons Rising cross the bleeding sky Fear the nocturnal silence The return of the forces of evil The masters unholy arrival The circle shall be sealed

5. Inborn Evil – 04:54 >

[Music: Parland/Sterner] [Lyrics: Parland] Born in the hands of the church Nailed to the cross forever Insanity of denominations Trapped in a spell of evil Father, give me the power To enter the gate of time The passage of burned and crucified souls I must pass before I die Peace in my mind will never be found Betrayed by life, servant of suicide Born to earth with visions of hate Evil spells surrounding me No escape from ones fate Countless predictions of lies The dying enter heaven You must invoke the lord So you shall be forgiven Recieve the mercyful blessing Confess your sins to God By the gracious name of Christ No mercy for those who are evil Insanity - has soon taken over me Hypocrisy - to die is my destiny Sacrifice - soon I shall rest in peace No escape - from the gates of immortality

6. The Ancients Gate – 05:31 >

[Instrumental] [Music: Parland]

7. Sacrificial Rites – 04:52 >

"Let them curse it that, curse the day Who are skilful to rouse Leviathan" Cursed on son of darkness Hear the call beyond the gate Open the book of human flesh The daemons at the other side await Summon - the evil forces of the seven lords Secret seal before your eyes Call forth the evil gods Hear the prayers Master of the spell pass through the gate Bring the world tremendous evil Realm of chaos awaits Lords of desolation See the revelations across the blackened sky Break the curse Immortal ones pass through the ancients gate Worshipper of darkness Enchanter of the evil one Beyond the stars lies the gate Eternally locked from inside Gaze at the engraved cryptogram The diabolic sign of entrance The key to the realm of evil gods From where the sinful souls shall depart Master - open the gate of entrance Reveal the concealed forces of the astral lords Master - hear the eternal cries From the dwelling daemons at the other side

8. Father of Creation – 06:02 >

Enforced by priests of lies The injure time of an evil seed The altar of damnation Surrounds the victim for the daemon feed Gathering for the ritual Awaiting for the holy blood to flow Spirits scorning the christian empire Infesting the victim while blood comes forth [Chorus] Dawn has come for the invocation Experiencing the sacrificial rites Pain has gone beyond laceration The master of gods arise Another victim dies Disciples of God fear their destiny The damnation has come No escape from the flames of the deceased Chanting the hymn of death The wrath of Satan slowly ends their lives The last souls sees his time Preparing for the sacrifice soon to be done [Chorus] Burning candles light the darkened realm Final of the ritual visions never seen Time draws nearer the hour of dying The last victim led to the altar of disease

9. Where Sinners Burn – 04:11 >

Engraved on the altar The name was written in blood The sign of Lucifer's child Creation of the unborn son With inhuman force of evil The bastard child was born The crucifier of God and heaven Satan's son was born The one to kill the holy lord Crucifier of God and all holy creations Father to son, with Satan allied The antichrist feared Entering the kingdom above To destroy the empire of God With the vision of father Satan "See the flowing blood" For God shall be crucified And heaven shall be nomore With the crown of thorns burn Into the fires of pure blasphemy Consuming the angels of heaven As the gates open wide Time has come for the merciless revenge The doomsday for the father of lies Damnation awaits for the sinner Trapped in a spell of no return See the flames unholy With disgrace in your soul you shall forever burn God, bleed for me Now you are decieved Die before my eyes With undefiled consciousness I kill your lord (Die on the cross) Lead him to the hill of crucifixion (Die on the cross) Feel the nails of pain through your flesh (Die on the cross) The everlasting pain is your fate

Total length: 45:12

Lineup

Band Members

    Anders Strokirk – Vocals (lead)

    David Parland (R.I.P. 2013) – Guitars, Keyboards, Lyrics (tracks 2-9), Songwriting (tracks 1-4, 6-9)

    Tobbe Sidegård – Bass, Vocals (backing) (track 1), Songwriting (tracks 4, 6)

    Joakim Sterner – Drums, Lyrics (track 1), Songwriting (tracks 1, 2, 5)

Guest / Session

    Micke Jansson – Vocals (backing) (track 8)

    Richard Daemon – Vocals (backing) (track 9)

Miscellaneous Staff

    Jocke Stabel – Photography

    Karin Strandås – Photography

    Lars Lindén (R.I.P. 2025) – Engineering

    Thomas Skogsberg – Producer, Engineering, Mixing

    Urban Skytt – Cover art

    Johan Hansson – Logo

Links

Download (.zip) Download (.zip)

Deicide - Once Upon the Cross (1995)

Information

Artist – Deicide

Album – Once Upon the Cross

Label – Roadrunner Records

Released – April 17th, 1995

Type – Full-length

Genre – Death Metal

Additional

Notes

Overview

Once upon the Cross is the third studio album by American death metal band Deicide, released on April 17, 1995, through Roadrunner Records. Featuring nine tracks characterized by aggressive riffing, blast beats, and overtly blasphemous lyrics targeting Christianity, the album solidified Deicide's reputation for Satanic themes and confrontational style within the death metal genre. Produced by Jim Morris at Morrisound Recording, it includes standout songs such as the title track "Once upon the Cross," which mocks the crucifixion of Jesus, and "Kill the Christian," emphasizing anti-religious sentiments. The album received mixed reviews, with some critics and fans praising its intensity and others critiquing deviations from the band's earlier raw sound, though it remains a benchmark for extremity in extreme metal.

Production History

Background and Context
Deicide, formed in Tampa, Florida, in 1987 by vocalist/bassist Glen Benton alongside guitarists Eric and Brian Hoffman and drummer Steve Asheim, had solidified its core lineup following the release of their second album, Legion, in 1992. This stability allowed the band to build on the technical and aggressive style established in their self-titled debut, positioning them as key players in the burgeoning Florida death metal scene.

Roadrunner Records sought to capitalize on the band's momentum during the mid-1990s surge in death metal's underground appeal, retaining the unchanged lineup to ensure continuity.

Recording Process
Recorded and mixed at Morrisound Recording during 1994, production credits were shared between the band and engineer Scott Burns, who oversaw the sessions to achieve a dense, aggressive sound through precise layering of distorted guitars and percussion.

Key to the recording's intensity were Asheim's double-bass drumming patterns and structural stability despite budgetary and timeline limits. This allowed them to complete principal tracking and mixing in a compressed period without significant technical accidents, allowing iterative riff refinement over extensive overdubs.

Musical and Thematic Elements

Style and Instrumentation
The album adheres to core guitar-centric instrumentation. The production exhibits enhanced clarity in guitar tones and drum separation relative to their debut, resulting in empirically heavier riff stacking.

Lyrics and Blasphemous Content
Authored primarily by Benton, the lyrics form a cohesive assault on Christian theology, systematically inverting scriptural narratives to elevate satanic rebellion. Motifs of crucifixion mockery and divine betrayal intensify the stance against Christianity, viewing moral hierarchies as antithetical to individual sovereignty and rooted in historical fabrications.

Release and Commercial Aspects

Promotion and Distribution
Released on April 18, 1995, primarily in CD format for distribution within the underground death metal scene via specialty retailers. Promotion emphasized Satanic controversy and leveraged the band's uncompromising stance.

Chart Performance and Sales
The album debuted on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, reaching position 23 in early May 1995. It sold approximately 1,000 copies in its first week, reflecting the niche appeal of underground markets. By March 2004, SoundScan reported total U.S. sales of 86,895 units. The release solidified the band's position, evidenced by modern reissues.

Critical Reception
Some listeners compared it unfavorably to Legion, dismissing repetitive riff patterns and short track lengths as monotonous. Initial listeners expecting technical evolution expressed disappointment in the simplified, groove-oriented approach.

Long-Term Evaluations
Retrospective analyses reveal polarized opinions. Enthusiasts credit its role in solidifying the Florida scene's raw sound, while detractors view it as an early harbinger of mid-tempo repetition. Platforms like Encyclopaedia Metallum show an average 80% approval, praising heavy riffs as an entry point with enduring playback value amid lineup instability.

Controversies and Backlash

Religious and Cultural Objections
The release intensified criticisms from Christian organizations, who viewed the cover art and lyrics as deliberate desecrations promoting Satanism. Groups like the American Family Association condemned the record for allegedly inciting public denunciations.

Benton and bandmates maintained the content constituted artistic expression and a critique of historical abuses by organized religion, emphasizing First Amendment protections. Benton later clarified the inverted cross represented rebellion against perceived hypocrisy.

Intra-Metal Community Disputes
The album exacerbated ideological tensions between death metal and the Norwegian black metal contingent, who prioritized atmospheric occultism over technical precision. Figures like Euronymous critiqued the genre's polished production and major label associations as compromising death metal.

Reissues and Enduring Appeal
In January 2023, Once Upon the Cross was reissued as a two-disc set paired with Serpents of the Light, featuring remastered tracks that improved audio clarity. This edition, released by Snapper Music, catered to collectors. The album's enduring appeal stems from its status as a live staple, demonstrating sustained fan demand for its blistering riffs and anti-religious themes into modern tours.

Videos

Once Upon the Cross (Live at Rescoue Rooms, 2002)
Interview + Once Upon the Cross, Australia 1995
They Are The Children Of The Underworld (When London Burns, 2004)
Trick or Betrayed (Live Montreal, 1995)
Kill the Christian (When London Burns, 2004)

Trivia

- The intro samples in tracks 1 & 5 were taken from the 1988 film The Last Temptation of Christ.

Recording

Produced by Deicide and Scott Burns.
Recorded and mixed at Morrisound Recording, Tampa, FL.
Mastered at Sterling Sound, New York, NY.
All music written by Deicide.

Identifiers

Barcode: 016861894924
Matrix / Runout (variant 1): SONOPRESS K-5562/ RR89492 A DS3
Mastering SID Code (variant 1): IFPI L023
Mould SID Code (variant 1): IFPI 0776
Matrix / Runout (variant 2): SONOPRESS K-5562/ RR89492 A DS3
Mastering SID Code (variant 2): IFPI L023
Mould SID Code (variant 2): IFPI 0710
Matrix / Runout (variant 3): SONOPRESS K-5562/ RR89492 A DS3
Mastering SID Code (variant 3): IFPI L023
Mould SID Code (variant 3): IFPI 0736
Matrix / Runout (variant 4): SONOPRESS K-5562/ RR89492 A DS3
Mastering SID Code (variant 4): IFPI L023
Mould SID Code (variant 4): IFPI 0709
Label Code: LC 9231
Rights Society: STEMRA

Tracklist

1. Once upon the Cross – 03:35 >

Once upon the cross Fear him, fear him, fear him.... Satan Nazarene in the valley of persuasion To receive last temptation from Lord Satan "Take a bite" said the serpent, "eat of it" Without no choice to do so, you cannot resist Impaled crucifixion Compassion forgot Enternal damnation Once upon the cross Blashpemy laughs at thee Jesus you've been deceived Struggling on the cross Gagging to breathe Despise you god, question why You were retrieved by the angel of light Once upon the cross Kill him, kill him, kill him.... Satan Nazarene screaming on his crucifixion Prophecy in it's final contradiction When you die is when the lie will be believed Upon the cross, before the world to see Once upon the cross

2. Christ Denied – 03:39 >

Congregation congregated in his house of god Entombed by their almighty savior Revelations misinterpreted ignite his flame Removed from the human equation Retreat to death in burning flesh His dead disciples and their son of god Incineration of their prophecy Destroyed in failure You're unannounced and you're unobserved No longer worshipped in his world Apocalypse on insanity Self destruction of hypocrisy Suffering is yours, no tomorrow Killed with reason, unbelieved in In conception, you were warned Resurrection, christ denied Congregation immolated with his bastard son Confused by the rules of engagement Impregnating you defamated your grace with god Refused are the gates to salvation

3. When Satan Rules His World – 02:55 >

Open the door Jehovah you whore I am the servant of who rules this world Archnemesis of your light One look at me and you know he is I Run away when confronted with Satan Always here and forever will be Your concern for my Lord is becoming Defecate on your book of belief Door to door soliciting war Feeble man with salvation as sword Disturb and see you will die For I am of Him in his world you're confined Why try? World dies, christ hides When Satan rules his world Disease, run free, killing When Satan rules his world Religion, infliction, obscene When Satan rules his world Witness, dismissed, executed When Satan rules his world

4. Kill the Christian – 02:58 >

You are the one we despise Day in day out your words compromise lives I will love watching you die Soon it will be and by your own demise Buried in hypocrisy Lacerate your faith in god Morally diseased On the cross of Calvary your body bashed, defeated, stabbed Blessing as you hate Loyal to your enemies Monetary faith As him you'll pay for the lies of your prophecy Satan wants you dead Kill the christian, kill the christian Kill the christian, kill the christian Kill the christian, kill the christian Kill the christian Armies of darkness unite Destroy their temples and churches with fire Where in his world will you hide Sentenced to death, the anointment of christ In due time your path leads to me Put you out of your misery The death of prediction Kill the christian Kill the christian...dead!

5. Trick or Betrayed – 02:24 >

They will say that he loves you, he don't From their bible they're controlled His descent they expect in our life They'll be waiting till they die Disembark from their path of belief If in turn will set you free Cannot live with the fact that they're wrong That there is no truth in god Trick or betrayed Their faith ends in pain Rip up their bible before is too late Time we undo unity For it is for fools In this world we don't need Trick or betrayed I think you should know They know it's true That their book is a hoax Join us to see through the light Christ is a scheme and will ruin your life Trick or betrayed Why insist on the cross died for us His infliction never was They assume that his death brought them life To be dead will change their minds When you see what you feel is not real Disappointment is revealed Cannot live with the fact that they're wrong There is no such thing as god

6. They Are the Children of the Underworld – 03:09 >

In the creation of Anu were spawned Born Of the Earth before the age of god With word unwrit, nowhere they're known Evade destruction in their world below Their hands reach for our place outside Bestow their suffering on human life Nothing will stop them from re-entering Return to hatred in the heart of man They are the children of the underworld Before the heavens they were on the Earth To desolation and were never heard "Cry rebirth" Lords of the plague, seven are they Born in the mountain Of Mashu's magic Spirits of hate, they have no name Withered and wicked, the liars in wait In the creation of Anu were spawned With deadly vengeance from the ancient gods Their place on Earth, their race unknown Beyond the knowledge of the elder ones Provoking with our blood to rise The seven offspring for the sacrifice Reclaim the power of the crown of death Enter the body from the temple dead

7. Behind the Light Thou Shall Rise – 02:57 >

Disemboweled on the altar jesus christ Entrails in the pentagram circle Spill his blood and reversing catholic hymn Invocate the onslaught of Satan Master Lord Lucifer From behind the light thou shall rise Drink ourselves as you feed His offering of purity Bible bleed, hell on Earth has been achieved Thou will fail before Lord Satan Casting sin, pissing on their crucifix Stepping forth into his creation Master Lord Lucifer From behind the light thou shall rise Walk His Earth, invade in pain His christians become the enslaved What was once is never more Infernal Lord Father restored Blinding priest in disbelief Revenge onto god he has sworn

8. To Be Dead – 02:39 >

Destroy the corpse and release my mind The secrets contemplate the other side It won't be long until the death of me A spirit conscious of reality To be dead is to always be Close my eyes and retun to sand To be dead is to always dream Coherent thought but unseen by man Invisible to human sight The consequences in his afterlife Across the line from the ignorant Inside my mind I do not know sin To be dead is to always be Open-eyed in a sleeping mind To be dead is to always dream I'm prepared for my turn to die Inflicting sorrow on the enemy And to everyone who doubted me My constant presence will torment the soul As I stand watching in the other world To be dead is to always be Untied from the living flesh To be dead is to always dream Unforgiven when I meet with death

9. Confessional Rape – 03:53 >

Father integrity, perverted secrecy Molesting innocent children you're trusted with What is vowed you cannot live, unbound by celibence Indulge in sacrilege, to serve unto Satan Manipulate through threats of god's hate Abhorrently extorted Molest the faith, confessional rape Denial is aborted Exploit the flesh of chreistian descent Incesting consent Alter your life from behind the light Master Lord Satan decides Father hypocrisy, exerting fantasy Persuading innocent children to where you live What is vowed does not exist, you are in debt to sin Apologize and plead, begging god for mercy

Total length: 28:09

Lineup

Band Members

    Glen Benton – Vocals, Bass, Lyrics

    Eric Hoffman – Guitars

    Brian Hoffman – Guitars

    Steve Asheim – Drums

Miscellaneous Staff

    George Marino (R.I.P. 2012) – Mastering

    Alex McKnight – Photography (photos)

    Glen Benton – Art direction

    Scott Burns – Producer, Engineering, Mixing

    Eric Hoffman – Logo

    Trevor Brown – Illustrations

Links

Download (.zip) Download (.zip)