A Benediction

I give the highest gratitude to my friends at Macadoodles and Mother's Brewing Company for consistently providing great beer. If you have time stop by Mother's 'Tasting Room' located at 215 South Grant, Springfield, MO 65806. Also check out your local Macadoodles for the largest and cheapest selection of craft brew, along with majestic customer service.

Sincerely Thanks, 

'The Pauper at the Gates of Dawn'

Les Légions Noires: Vampires of Black Imperial Blood

'The Black Legions' was a collaboration of musicians who operated out of Brest, France. They took the darkness Norway had provided and gnarled it into kvlt genius. There were only a small amount of musicians involved, together they formed multiple bands, along with one man projects, and guested on each others material. The anterior album for this styling is Mutiilation's 1995 release 'Vampires of Black Imperial Blood.' Meyhna'ch (Mutiilation's single member) crafted what would become DBM (Depressive Black Metal). Through melancholic songwriting  and true low fidelity in the most artistic sense he added a new ingredient to the blackness.

Ale Companion: North Coast makes quality beer (period). Old Rasputin is a Russian Imperial Stout based on the brew that was shipped to Catherine the Great from England. This ale pours black (great for the tunes), and has the scent of dark chocolate and fruits. Based on the smell, look, and gorgeous art this brew is already triumphant. It begins with the sweet and luscious malt base, but proceeds with a prime bitterness (in the most positive way). It has the feel of a dry stout, but is not overdone. This stout will compliment the eerie tunes listed above. Let the goose pimples grow and enjoy the shiver up your spine, this pairing will leave you warmed and chilled at the same time.

http://www.northcoastbrewing.com

They have pints?!?

Clouds fill the dark sky. The rain has dampened your spirits, but the cold wind swings a sign of hope in the distance. The pub's familiar name warms your insides, but not as much as the atmosphere and brew that awaits. Strutting to the bar you order the house ale: McNelle's. This is the closest way I can describe this beer. It's been awhile since I tasted a true, traditional English Bitter. This really shines, and the price is unbelievable. Pouring a luscious copper tone, its scent gives off a grassy aroma layered with malt. The hops are defiantly present, but not as confident as the carmel solidity and biscuit overtones. 100% enjoyable (and Missouri brewed), give it a go.

http://marshallbrewing.com

kvlt Volume II: Asakku / Moonblood

This is a superb compilation released in' 98. Both of these German based bands present tenacious and raw black metal. I would not say this is a pivotal piece of Black Metal history, but it is a phenomenal split displaying true kvlt. Asakku's opening track has a alluring clean opening breaking into a ferocious beat giving one the feeling of running through the hills. Moonblood brings a very course straightforward Black Metal tune that presents Germany's creditionals in full force. Light a candle, turn off the lights and relish.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1lmmbmyytgj

Medieval Fodder

Part of my fondness towards Black Metal lies within its 'Medieval' vibes. I've created a playlist dedicated to songs that have a 'Middle Age' tinge. To enhance the music is not only an ale suggestion, but a meal. Though basic, this provides food that a middle class citizen would have dined upon. At you local grocer pick up a loaf of wheat French bread, your preference of butter, some carrots, an apple, a block of white cheddar, a cooked chicken, and any selection of pickles. This is a fantastic feast for some one of the time, the brew I suggest is Abita's Turbodog. This is a typical brown ale that has a subtle roasted and nutty flavor. Combined with the playlist below this will provide the atmosphere of a perfect tavern (with Black Metal overtones). I've included a document with a track listing and information for each song.

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?6vkn1ywd3nsgi0l

http://abita.com

A 'Wee Heavy' Longsword

Scotch Ales (Wee Heavy) are one of my personal favorites. Originating as 'strong ales' from from Edinburgh they have  a boozy presence, but is controlled with a full malty taste and a stark sweetness. Great Divide's Claymore has a different vibration compared to most Wee Heavys. Aesthetically, the bottle and title are perfect. It pours a lovely ruby and its aroma fills your nose with sweet carmley malt. It goes down as a smooth medium body ale, and lacks the typical metallic tinge Scotch Ales typically carry. My favorite quality is the chocolate notes, its defiantly noticeable, but not overbearing. Claymore has a slight warming feeling which is excepted with such beer. Overall it is a terrific Scotch Ale, but with a different twist than the average (breaking the archetype can be a positive).

http://www.greatdivide.com/

kvlt: Paysage d'Hiver

kvlt [kuhlt]

adjective

1. legitimate; typically dealing with Black Metal

2. rare

'kvlt' posts will deal with music that will be a dive further into the realm of Black Metal. Wintherr's fourth demo is raw, in my opinion lo-fidelity at its finest. It is difficult to review this album due to its obscurity, all I can explain is it has an extreme focus on atmosphere and the inclusion of melancholic violin. Keep an open mind, stare at its genuinely grim cover, and experience 'Paysage d'Hiver.'

http://www.mediafire.com/?x467utyvq57uc1d

Amalgamtion

Beer taste in the most basic sense will typically have a malt focus or a hoppy polestar. One of my personal favorite ale styles is the Black IPA i.e. Cascadian Dark Ale or American Black Ale. This brew combines the richness of a dark ale with an intense amount of American hops giving the best of both worlds.

Deschutes' Hop in the Dark is a great CDA. It pours a gorgeous black and smells of lush malt with a pleasant pine aroma. You can immediately taste a roasty malt character, but it is soon balanced out by a generous hop flavor. There is also a subtle chocolate undertone to the malt base that gives a great addition to its complexity. Overall if you feel your typical IPA just isn't dark enough or you want a different sort of vibe with your traditional black ale, then Hop in the Dark will truly satisfy.

http://www.deschutesbrewery.com

Musical Pairing: What goes with something dark, mysterious, and originating in the Pacific Northwest? Wolves in the Throne Room. 'Black Cascade' is their third album, and is often overlooked, which is understandable standing up to their other records. I recommend this because it is a hidden jewel amongst their discography. These four songs take a much more straight-forward approach than the others, which is actually refreshing by comparison. It has the typical 'Wolves' sound, but with more Black Metal elements rather than spacy avant-garde feel. 'Ahrimanic Trance' is one of my favorite tracks of all Black Metal and is the best tune on 'Black Cascade.' The ferocious, yet melodic riffs, layers of beautiful analog synths, and the amazing drumming of Aaron Weaver really shine and give this record an antithetic feel in contrast to their other material. If you haven't listened to it, try it out. If you have listened to it, give it another listen, focusing on the rawness and imagine the ancient redwoods besetting you.

http://www.mediafire.com/?fdm72bn8je5apdo

The Classics Volume II: Det som engang var

'True Norwegian Black Metal' was created by Euronymous (Mayhem), but was defined by Darkthrone and Burzum. Count Grishnackh (Burzum's sole member) took the concepts that were being created and pushed them into new musical beauty. He looked at each album as a spell to build a world for the listener taking focusing on creating a dark atmosphere involving keyboards (without being overbearing *cough [Emperor]) and focusing on the track order / flow. His self-titled (Burzum translates to 'darkness' in Tolkien's 'Black Speech') debut really was primitive Black Metal to a tee, but his second album is a more transcendental experience. It is a necessity to listen from track 1 to 8 to really get the full intended journey. The cover, is based on an Advanced Dungeons and Dragons campaign entitled, 'The Temple of Elemental Evil.' For those interested check out the PDF below, very interesting. Wait until the sun has gone down, close your eyes and delve into Burzum.

http://www.mediafire.com/?emmt0t2qdz0

The Temple of Elemental Evil: http://www.mediafire.com/?wiyhmyzwmwk

The sea is a rough mistress

Founders produces marvelous ales. Curmudgeon, is a specialty only available in May (some beer stores will have a few in their stock they kept back). The website gives this description: Think classic seafaring ports, local pubs, and weathered old fishermen. This old ale is brewed with molasses and an insane focus on the malt bill, then oak-aged. The result is a strong, rich, malty delight that’s deceptively smooth and drinkable. Intriguing eh? To start it pours a murky amber and smells of malt, with a sweet alcohol ting. Taste wise it is unique to say the least. Luscious malt is obviously the base, but a vanilla taste slowly builds. The alcohol of this ale is defiantly noticeable giving a slight warming effect, but does not overburden the taste of this beer. You'll notice almost a hidden fruity hint that is not the usually hoppy bite, but more an aged fruit such as a prune or raisin tucked into the layers of flavor. Truly a satisfying ale (even after one).

http://www.foundersbrewing.com

Musical Pairing: In 2004 Mastodon produced their genre changing album 'Leviathan.' Its final track 'Joseph Merrick' is the perfect compliment to this ale's enchanting flavor and feel. This instrumental gives the vibe of an aged tavern on the bay of foggy dock. So, sip and imagine yourself nestled into the dark corners of 'The Blue Whale.'

http://www.mediafire.com/?htjwujenjmj

Modern Masterpieces: Dead as Dreams

This album, from its titles ('No One Can Be Called as a Man While He'll Die' in particular), cover, and music transports the listener into a grim and epic environment that can be life altering. It's beauty lies within the time laced into this recording. Weakling took several years of perfecting these songs and their sound  to give us this gem. The keyboards are integrated into the music perfectly and the drumming is top notch, but not in a primitive manner. Vocals take the win for this record! If you have 21 minutes please indulge in the title track, mind-blowing. You can hear the emotion of this music immediately, I can not promote the greatness of this album enough. Tighten the grip on the hilt and march towards glory.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tujyte42dzm

The evolution of brown

Suilaid

To begin, this is locally brewed in Springfield, MO which adds to its greatness. Mother's Brewing Company specialize in hybrid beers, this particular one is a combination of an English brown, German alt bier, and Irish red. Looks are a brown with a strong ruby tint. It smells of sweet carmel. Taste is really where this ale shines (as most ales), delicious malty carmel fills your mouth with slight chocolate and toffee flavors. What really pushes this beer is the slight hop tinge that balances out the ale making it an extremely drinkable dark ale. The mild complexity of Three Blind Mice with its combination of flavors really makes it a superior ale.

http://www.mothersbrewing.com

The Classics: Under a Funeral Moon

Gîl síla na lû govaded

I would suggest reading the 'Proem' under 'Pages' for a brief introduction.

To begin I'll start with the definition of Black Metal: Under a Funeral Moon.

On their third release, Darkthrone defined 'True Norwegian Black Metal.' This album is a perfect starting point for fresh ears wanting to get a taste of what legitimate Black Metal is. Their debut was actually a Death Metal record, but growing tired of that trend they began writing Black Metal. The second release 'A Blaze in the Northern Sky' was their first attempt at a new genre, it defiantly has some great atmosphere and killer riffs, but is not quite 100% Black Metal, this is why my suggestion goes to their tertian album. If you only have time for one song, jump into 'Summer of Diabolical Holocaust.' This album's production is great! Drums really shine in capturing the Black Metal sound. Gaze into her lunar presence and enjoy.

http://www.mediafire.com/?k2zjmzyrtiz