Description

Mega rare 2010 press on black vinyl. Limited 666 copies

Eternally primitive and nihilistic sounding, Judas Iscariot is a band cemented as one of the biggest classic US black metal acts. With Akhenaten as the longtime sole member, this band also stands alongside Burzum as an example set even earlier by Bathory that black metal can be composed and played by one person; a trend that for better or worse would be adopted by many other bedroom acts throughout the next two decades. Through Akhenaten nihilistic journey, The Cold Earth Slept Below stands as his filthiest, most grim, and one of his best. Primitive and nihilistic are two very accurate descriptions for this album in both the attitude and the songwriting. Akhenaten’s obsession with the works of Friedrich Nietzsche and William Blake have been expressed in his liner notes on multiple Judas Iscariot albums, and some of his lyrics are borrowed from their works. Their tone is also expressed in the music itself. The music is very raw sounding though the guitars do remain very clear which allows the listener to easily get hooked on the rhythms. What really drives home the primitive vibe is the drum performance. Akhenaten is far from the best drummer in the genre, but the inherent sloppiness actually works in this album’s favour. They give this album character and a very organic feel. A cult classic, The Cold Earth Slept Below should have a place in every black metal fan’s collection. It was released during the mid-90s when black metal was expanding beyond Norway and manages to remain loyal to its roots while also creating an identity of its own.

Track list:
1. Damned Below Judas
2. Wrath
3. Babylon
4. The Cold Earth Slept Below
5. Midnight Frost
6. Ye Blessed Creatures
7. Reign
8. Fidelity
9. Nietzsche