The Cold Meat Industry buyers guide
Here it is ladies and gents, the uncompromising and essential guide to the early sound of Cold Meat Industry. THIS IS an attempt at representing (my own) personal taste and guidelines to this cult label of old. Which means that some early (and essential) releases have not been represented, so bare over with me. Alphabetic listed!
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Aghast - Hexerei Im Zwielicht Der Finsternis
First classic in my CMI alphabet .. 37 minutes of truly grim Norwegian witch hauntings. An interesting fusion of ideas combining ritual-ambiance, industrial harshness being put in the middle of the cold and dark forests of Scandinavian. Still, scares the shit out of me!.
Archon Satani - Of Gospels Lost And Forsaken
From Aghast to black-ambient masters of satanic esoteric mysticism Archon Satani!. An excellent CMI release, a compilation containing most of the tracks submitted to various compilations, the entire 12" EP Beyond All the Sickness plus not-released material. A true gem!
Brighter Death Now - Pain In Progress
Since I don´t own a record player (Right Now) I´m gonna have 2 go with the CD release. Another CMI landmark; the debut of Brighter Death Now´s Pain In Progress was first released on tape (1988) and then on LP (1990) via Unclean Production. It was then re-issued on CD in 1998. If anyone should ask me, then I can reply that this represents the sound of true death industrial. Prima materia!. In accordance with notes from the artist himself, I will not include a "free" Youtube clip with this post. You want to hear it, seek this underground industrial cult gem out yourself!
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Consono - Hymns For Deceased Deities
Consono was a different breed, not being comparable to either death-industrial or dark-ambient. Working in the fields of mystical folklore and esoteric writings. Esoteric and gloomy folk-inspired industrial-ambient?. A classic nonetheless, released as a compilation of sorts back in 1995. Limited to 1000 copies.
Deutsch Nepal - Benevolence
Another landmark, another CMI classic. The first Deutsch Nepal album on CMI, after the first cassette release on Sound Source (pre-CMI-tape label). Surreal and hypnotizing industrial moods, nothing sounds like Deutsch Nepal. The man behind this cult act is also a co-founder of CMI. This album/CD I bought from the man himself, at a Death In June concert in Aarhus, Denmark. Around 1997? Thanks again Peter Andersson!
...And Also the Wolves Hid Their Teeth
"...And Also the Wolves Hid Their Teeth" was the very first CMI compilation I bought and gave a thorough introduction to the bands of the label. It was also marketed through the US label DarkWave (side label of Projekt) with different tracks by the same bands. It was a magnificent introduction to Cold Meat Industry, every cool band from that best era of the label could be found here...
In The Butchers Backyard
CMI x2 CD compilation compiling all the GREAT early achievements of their early cassette-only label named Sound Source. The not released material was also being show-cased here also. True treasures taken from the tombs. Made in the cooperation with the German label Vuz. Interesting side projects as well, Un-Core (In Slaughter Natives side-project), Deaf Machine (Megaptera side-project).
The Karmanic Collection
Not entirely through with the CMI compilations yet!..Ltd. 4000 copies. Back then in 1993, there was an overwhelming demand for information and band photos, so the label decided to release The Karmanic Collection. A VERY non-typical compilation (which is ALOT of ways) didn´t show what the sound and future of CMI would be. Kickstarts withs XXX Atomic Toejams´s multilayered (and slightly psychedelic) industrial rock, further on with the technoid outsider-craziness of En Halvkokt I Folie, raw and primitive electro/EBM-industrial with Systema etc. Then you also had the moody classics like Deutsch Nepal, BDN, Raison D´être, Mental Destruction, ISN etc, which more or less laid down some of their best tracks. All rounded up with ambient atmospheres with Archon Satani, Consono, Atomine Elektrine and Morthond. And again, one of the best tracks by Archon Satani is one this comp, that also goes for Morthond! ... One of my favorite CMI comps!
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Ildfrost - Autumn Departure
Ildfrost (like Consono) was also a different and unique band on CMI, from the icy fields of Norway. The first non-Swedish band on the label released this magnificent debut in 1995. Aghast (And maybe Nico) fans should check it out. Cold, atmospheric, haunting and beautiful "gothic" dark-wave/ambient...
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In Blind Embrace - Songs From the Shadows
The label CMI also had side-labels. One of them was called Death Factory (taken from TG maybe?). ´A side-label for international artists in the same vein as the CMI bands, with the emphasis on dark industrial music´ (taken from the booklet of the Absolute Supper) ... One of the releases on here was a side project to U.S industrial pioneers Controlled Bleeding called In Blind Embrace. Orchestral, apocalyptic, sacred hymn of darkness and despair. With a guest appearance by Rozz Williams of Christian Death. Quite an underrated and ambitious release. BEST release on Death Factory, and one of the true greats by the guys behind Controlled Bleeding!
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In Slaughter Natives - Enter Now the World
CMI.13.The second release from this apocalyptic proto-martial industrial act. A classic CMI release, also having a tape out on Soundsource. This one was a cooperative release between CMI and Staalplaat. The title came from a Hellraiser comic. For me, it is, without doubt, the BEST with In Slaughter Natives. Sure to give you a smell of burning heretics on the cross!
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Lille Roger - Golden Shower
Think the photo effect burlesque, fitted this kinky and sexy cult release. Limited to a 1000 copies, or whatever Roger Karmanic was doing in his younger days before the necromantic carnage of Brighter Death Now. A compilation of sorts, Collecting split tracks, unreleased, compilation tracks, Undead 7inch and from the Älskar Dig cassette. Released in 1993. And again with my respect to Roger Karmanic, I will not post a free stream from this album. Raw, minimal and moody old-school industrial.
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Megaptera - Beyond the Massive Darkness
Soo many good bands on CMI starts with the letter M. First one is Swedish death industrial monoliths Megaptera. An excellent introduction/release for curious ears!
Limited edition of 2,000 copies.
Released in an 8 panel Digipak
CD1 is a reissue of Songs From The Massive Darkness (Megaptera's first LP).
CD2 is a remixed version of Beyond The Shadow (Megaptera's first CD) with two new versions of tracks from The Curse Of The Scarecrow CD.
Limited edition of 2,000 copies.
Released in an 8 panel Digipak
CD1 is a reissue of Songs From The Massive Darkness (Megaptera's first LP).
CD2 is a remixed version of Beyond The Shadow (Megaptera's first CD) with two new versions of tracks from The Curse Of The Scarecrow CD.
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Memorandum - Ars Moriendi
Memorandum was one of the great dinosaurs of CMI, having the perfect sound and vision. Again, a unique sound. Apocalyptic tribal industrial at its best!
Reissue of the whole Memorandum discography plus unreleased material.
1-3 from the Ichor 12" (CMI.08).
4 from the Projekt Neue Ordnung LP (TESCO 002).
5 from the Karmanik Collection CD (CMI.20).
6-13 from the Aux Morts LP (CMI.05).
14 from the Ecstasy By Current LP (SCH 8801).
15-16 and 18 previously unreleased.
17 from the In The Shadow Of Death 7" (CMI.02).
Track 18 contains a uncredited track after 55 seconds of silence. Total duration of track 18: 7:12
Reissue of the whole Memorandum discography plus unreleased material.
1-3 from the Ichor 12" (CMI.08).
4 from the Projekt Neue Ordnung LP (TESCO 002).
5 from the Karmanik Collection CD (CMI.20).
6-13 from the Aux Morts LP (CMI.05).
14 from the Ecstasy By Current LP (SCH 8801).
15-16 and 18 previously unreleased.
17 from the In The Shadow Of Death 7" (CMI.02).
Track 18 contains a uncredited track after 55 seconds of silence. Total duration of track 18: 7:12
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Mental Destruction - The Intensity of Darkness
For the first time, the Christian-themed picture behind suits the CD! .. Swedish Mental Destruction was called ´Christian Orthodox Doom Industrial´.. Were they Christians, hell yeah. The nasty apocalyptic types .. Were they Doom?. Never heard anything as DOOMish as these guys!. Industrial? .. Machine grinding, metallic percussions... Heavy shit. One of my favorites of the early CMI bands. They released 3 albums, this is their first CD release on CMI .. CMI.11 released in 1991.
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Morthhond - This Crying Age
First CD release with Morthond, before that there was a tape out on Sound Source (Death Time). 1991. An amazing release, one of the best regarding the early days. Ancient and esoteric ambient, almost kind of dark middle ages at times (Proto dungeon synth?). One of the few CMI releases which I could imagine listening to when I get REALLY old! ...
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MZ-412 - In Nomine Dei Nostri Dei Satanas Luciferi Excelsi
From the Christian moods of Mental Destruction to infernal gravings of MZ.412. ´True Swedish Black Industrial´. A mythic band with a background in metallic percussive industrial and EBM (Pouppée Fabrikk), they then head-crashed into a satanic image. This is their first CD release on CMI and their first "satanic" album. Industrial-ritual music with percussive and dark ambient elements. A VERY influential band/Release.
True Swedish Black Industrl
True Swedish Black Industrl
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Ordo Equilibrio - Reaping the Fallen ... The First Harvest
The debut of Ordo Equilibrio, and as some called it ´The true continuation of Archon Satani, carrying on their spiritual legacy´... To me, this is the best album by Ordo Equilibrio. As you might expect, I´m more into their ambient-ritual orientated releases then the latter pop n´ neo-folk stuff. Still finding this releases highly enjoyable! .. Infernal, erotic and spiritual stuff... It still holds to this day!.
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Raison d´être - Prospectus I
What is 2 day about Raison d^ëtre Which haven´t been said?... This isn´t the first release, but the first CD on CMI released in 1993. A grand and truly classic act, which is clearly still loved 2 this day. It´s almost possible 2 this day, 2 hear the influence of Raison d^ëtre in most modern dark-ambient acts! As you might notice, this is the first pressing of this magnificent release. The cover-art is WAY cooler than the later (and cheaper looking) computerized version. As quoted from the CMI compilationThe Absolute Supper ´A historical masterpiece!´.
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Tombstone - Gothic Land
Italien Tombstone has been in existence since 1993, and this is the only CMI release (Released on the side label Death Factory like In Blind Embrace). A collection of the tracks previously released on cassettes. Sacred, classical horror themed gothic death-ambiance. Fuckin love and still do, nothing sounds like Tombstone!. Almost works like a tribute to the classic Italian horror movies!.
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Valefor - Death Magick
U.S Black-metal inspired youngsters trying their best at doing Scandinavian death/black-industrial. The debut of Valefor released on CMIs side-label Death Factory. If you look away from the pseudo-gothic/doom metal kind of cover art (and the awful band photo!) BUT we´re actually dealing with a REALLY good death-industrial album. Sort of a minimal version of Brighter Death Now´s Necrose Evangelicum!. I´m still listening 2 it 2 this day.
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And that was it!. Thirsty for this release, look them on used and in good condition on Discogs.com. Happy hunting!