ROOTS OF TRAGEDY

 

Early photo, c. 2008 ...................... Newer photo, c. 2018

BAND NAME: Roots of Tragedy
GENRE: Symphonic Black/Doom/Death (early), Progressive Death/Groove/Djent (later)
STATUS: Active
LOCATION: Norway (Sortland, Nordland)

Formed in 2006 (possibly on/around 25 July as that's when the YouTube channel was created.) Went silent from 2011-2016, but is active again as of 2017.

Lineup:
David Sandvik - All instruments, Vocals

Links:
Bandcamp
Instagram
Facebook
ReverbNation
Spotify
Apple Music
Pandora
iHeartRadio
YouTube (old/outdated)
Myspace
Official site @ archive.org (freewebs)
nrk.no @ archive.org (see also [here])

Unofficial links:
Unblack Metal Wallpapers

Discography:


Awakening Beyond (demo)

2006, Independent, CD
2006, Independent, Digital, link expired

Misspelled on the cover as "Roots of Tradegy".
NOTE: I'm not sure if this is the actual cover art or not.
 
The link mentions the CD being sent to Europe and the USA. I'm not sure... Like, are these the only places that purchased it? Was there an actual "distribution" to these locations? etc

1) Invation of the Ark of Blood 5:18
2) The Unborn (Abortion Day) 6:09
3) The Plague and the Divine 4:35
4) Rise of the Machine 4:24

....................................................

Left:
(30 June - 9 July?), 2008, EEE Recordings, CD(-R?), sold out
Right:
2 September, 2019, The Shrouded Winter, Cassette (50 copies) and Bandcamp

A couple sites say the EEE version was a CD-R released in a slimcase, but I don't have proof that that's correct.

The song "The Unborn (Abortion Day)" is a reworked version of "Unborn" from David's other project, [Sjelehøst].

+ EEE VERSION +
1) Rise of the Machines
4:24, lyrics:
Fall to ground to save yourself
Your own sympathy,
Earthly life
To gain,
For its self and tomorrow

Striking force of up above,
The light was always to strong to take
I can't recall what I meant
When I was searching justice

Wait and bleed
When you are waiting
Rise and take
The life of the living

Bigger forces that claim their heritage
Of mother earth and Gaia
Who are you to judge when your self is a slave

Wait for the end of all
To begin the journey to fall
The given life is failed
Wait and bleed

"See the light
Wipe your tears"

Life Beyond
Save us

Taken and throwned away
Then it have nothing to say
Structure of failure


2) Dying Day
4:24, lyrics unknown

3) Invation of the Ark of Blood
5:17, lyrics:
"In this darkness"

My eyes
Gone blind
Hidden truth
Seeking lies

Terror haunting me
Pain in eternity

"Invasion"

The ark blood I saw in my dream
Terrible sight from Satan's stream
Like nothing I've seen, is being fulfilled

"In the shadows I stray
and I survive on the living..."

You who pray will be saved by grace
Rescued from the never-ending maze


4) The Plague and the Divine
4:35, lyrics:
Risen from the grave beyond
The plague is marching on
To the city of them who lives
Their sorry lives gone blind

"The plague who shall appear
Will destroy the balance within"

Unbound the plague moves on
To his speechless prey
The fight will last no longer
Man has no power of will

They will scream
They will shout his name

Tears of sorrow
Fly to his divine

"The plague who shall appear
Will destroy the balance within"

Fight
the holy war
Take your stand and sacrifice

"Tears of sorrow
Fly to his divine"

One by one they stand their ground
The weapons they use is the truth
Brothers and sisters is standing tall
Waiting for the plague to fall

Once again the plague must end
The force divine makes the difference


5) The Unborn (Abortion Day)
6:09, lyrics unknown

6) Wishes upon the Grave
5:20, lyrics unknown

+ SHROUDED WINTER VERSION +
Side A
1) Rise of the Machines 4:24
2) Dying Day 4:24
3) Invation of the Ark of Blood 5:17
4) The Plague and the Divine 4:35
Side B
5) The Unborn (Abortion Day) 6:09
6) Wishes upon the Grave 5:20
7) Pray for Death 6:31 (bonus track)

Demo (NOT SURE IF RELEASED, 2010, Independent)
Format: CD, possibly

This was announced on the band's social media, yet almost no info around it is certain. The person who added it to Metal Archives is notorious for adding wrong / guessed info, including the "CD" format. The cover art they used is literally just [the logo from Drawnsword's art portfolio/blog]. The white line on the left side is still visible and everything. The tracklist was definitely copied from Myspace, as the same symbol is missing from track 5 as on there ("Mrkehjertet" instead of "Mørkehjertet").

1) Pray for Death 6:30
2) At the Throne
6:01
3) Salvation Road
5:40
4) Snake from the Pit
4:48
5) Mørkehjertet
3:42
6) Salvation Road (sample)
2:59

For convenience's sake, this page only lists the black metal-oriented releases. Check out [Christian Death Metal Collective], run by my friend Coleiosis, for the newer material!


______________________________________
IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages, UncertainInfo
INFO:
1) Missing lyrics to all songs. 2) Were the 2006 and 2010 demos released? If so, I need a lot more info about them.
IMAGES:
Basically every image here could use a better version. Also, the releases could use more layout photos, if anyone has them?

Miscellaneous stuff:
(Unused?) logos I found online

SACRA OSSA

 
 
 

BAND NAME: Sacra Ossa
GENRE: Black Metal / Raw Black Metal, Dark Ambient
STATUS: Active
LOCATION: Russia

Formed as a secular project in 2016. The artist became Christian sometime between 2019 and 2022 and as of 2022, is releasing Christian music.

Lineup:
N.L. - All instruments, Vocals

Links:
Bandcamp
VKontakte
SoundCloud
Instagram

Discography:

Releases before becoming Christian:
- Demo I, demo, 2016
- The Cold of Eternal Night, album, 2017 (+remaster 2019)
- Werewolf, single, 2019
- Necrotica, album, 2019
- Woman in Red, single, 2019

Pime​ä​ssä laaksossa (album, 28 December, 2022, Independent)
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)

"It's been a long time since the last release and finally a new full-length album is coming out. I must say that my worldview has changed quite a lot since that time, however, as well as the vision of the future of this musical project. Initially, there was an idea to make an album in the theme of retro horror. As a result, a lot of things were changed and received new content. This is an instrumental raw black metal with various admixtures and a Christian meaning.

References to the Bible in Finnish. (Raamattu 1933/-38)"

1) Hylätty (Ps. 38:12) 5:00
2) Voima (Ps. 8:7)
4:25
3) Tahto (Ps. 40:9)
5:15
4) Vihaajat (Ps. 69:5)
2:12
5) Tuomio (Ps. 96:13) 4:21
6) Valtaistuin (Ps. 45:7) 4:40
7) Syntymä (Ps. 132:6) 2:09

 

 

 

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NeedsScriptureReferences

Miscellaneous stuff:
Written in the announcement post for "Pime​ä​ssä laaksossa" on VK:
Ты - гонитель, / Оставленный и отчужденный,
Идущий по долине тёмной / В смерти обитель.

В мгновенье ока пролились / Потоки света, сила Божья
Весь мир покоит у подножья. / Из глубины сердец и ввысь.

Подавлено сопротивленье, / И в унисон Господней воле
Забилось сердце плотяное. / Узнал ты Откровенье.

Бог трансцендентный был, / Есть и грядет во славе, силе.
Сгорают ненавистники Мессии / В огне, как пыль.

Вот миг настал и час пришел. / Да сбудется речённое пророком,
Слова живые под чертогом, / И воссиял вечный Престол.

Ты больше не гонитель, поклонись, / Испившему сполна чашу эссенций.
Корона мира на младенце, / В руках Рожденного вся жизнь.

TRÉBUCHET SDG



BAND NAME: Trébuchet SDG
GENRE: Epic / Melodic / Medieval Unblack Metal
STATUS: Active
LOCATION: Finland

Formed as [Trebuchet].
Added the "SDG" on 31 December, 2022.
"SDG" stands for "Soli Deo Gloria".

Lineup:
Jouko "Josam" Jormalainen - All instruments, Vocals

Links:
Bandcamp
Instagram

Discography:


Careworn (single, 19 June, 2023, Independent)
Format: Digital
Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music (OFFICIAL)

Based on Psalm 55.

1) Careworn
5:34, lyrics:
My heart's in anguish within me
Fear and trembling come upon me
horrors of the dark overwhelm me
Oh, if I had wings like a dove
I would fly away
and be at rest
I would hurry to find a shelter
from the raging wind

Confuse the wicked, Oh Lord
for I see violence in the city.
Day and night they prowl about on its walls
Destructive forces are at their work
their threats and lies never leave
these wicked men with war in their hearts
won't live out half their days

But I call to God
and the Lord will save me.
in the midst of the thickest mist
and the darkest night
He will hear me.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord



Per Gratiam Per Fidem (single, 1/2 October, 2023, Independent)
Format: Digital
Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / etc (OFFICIAL)

1) Per Gratiam Per Fidem
6:03, lyrics:
(Ephesios 2:8-9)
"Gratia enim estis salvati per fidem, et hoc non ex vobis:
Dei enim donum est:
non ex operibus, ut ne quis glorietur"

Our filthy works
Don't generate righteousness
But our righteousness
in Christ alone generates works

Your desperate works can't change your heart
Can't earn your own salvation
But He can create you a second time
He can cause you to be born again

Not by sight but faith alone,
Not through empty traditions nor rituals
But through His grace alone
Through His grace alone

Don't turn away from God
by clinging to worthless idols (Jonah 2:8)
All the graven images shall burn (Micah 5:13)
In the flame of iconoclastic fire
Sola gratia

It's not by our worthless deeds of the law
Cause all our righteous acts are just like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6)
Sola gratia



Sacrum Votum (single, 22 October, 2023, Independent)
Format: Digital
Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / etc (OFFICIAL)

A song dedicated to Josam's wife / their marriage. Josam also notes on Bandcamp, "This song is slightly different than Trébuchet SDG song in general and will not be part of any other Trébuchet SDG releases."

1) Sacrum Votum
2:49, lyrics:
Before the mighty eyes of God
We'll become one
My flesh is your flesh now
Your blood is my blood
In this sacred vow

The union that takes three
A strong foundation
of me and you, with Christ as a cornerstone

Until the end of time






== Miscellaneous discography ==
1) preview, "Building the Trebuchet"
medieval/metal, 31 December, 2022, 1:11

2) preview, title unknown
metal, 7 April, 2023, 00:28

3) preview, "Gallows"
metal, 22 September, 2023, 00:32

4) preview, "Gloria Dei"
metal, 9 October, 2023, 00:32




_______________________________
IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages, NeedsScriptureReferences
INFO:
1) Title for the second preview clip?
IMAGES:
The logo. I just can't seem to get it in high res and good quality.



Miscellaneous stuff:
Slightly altered artwork on Apple Music:

TREBUCHET



BAND NAME: Trebuchet
GENRE: Epic / Melodic / Medieval Unblack Metal
STATUS: Changed name
(Active under new name, Trébuchet SDG)
LOCATION: Finland

The first post on Instagram is from 9 February, 2021, so I assume the project formed sometime around then? At any rate, [changed name] on 31 December, 2022.

Lineup:
Jouko "Josam" Jormalainen - All instruments, Vocals

Links:
Instagram


Discography:


Ave Christus Rex (single, 24 December, 2022, Independent)
Format: Digital / Instagram
Stream (OFFICIAL)

A [preview] was also posted on the 23rd.

1) Ave Christus Rex
2:45, lyrics:
Ave Christus Rex!
Soli Deo Gloria!

Only to You we pray
We seek no gold, no majesty
To no one else we target our prayers
Oh Lord divine
You came to crush the darkness
We abide in Your Light

Ave Christus Rex!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Ave Christus Rex!
Soli Deo Gloria!



Greensleeves/What Child Is This (single, 25 December, 2022, Independent)
Format: Digital / Instagram
Stream (OFFICIAL)

1) Greensleeves/What Child Is This
2:30, lyrics:
What child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of God

So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come, peasant, king, to own him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone him

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring him laud
The babe, the son of God






== Miscellaneous discography ==
1) preview of upcoming song, title unknown 
medieval/folk, 10 February 2021, 1:00

2) preview of upcoming song, title unknown 
medieval/metal, 20 April, 2021, 00:50

3) preview, title unknown 
metal, 17 January, 2022, 00:57
Note from Instagram: "As everything in this world falters and the shadows fall gloomily over humanity, we can be convinced that we have a sure security in the Word of God. Despair and doubt can overwhelm our minds when we look at the world’s events. But when we look at the strong foundation of the Word and God’s great promise to His people, we can feel peace in the midst of the unrest at all times. One who believes in the Lord has a living hope, and his way is from darkness to light. The song in this clip is about that special peace in the middle of the storm."

metal, 23 July, 2022, 00:33

6) preview, title unknown 
metal, 25 November, 2022, 00:19


_______________________________
IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages, NotOnMA, NeedsScriptureReferences
INFO:
1) Names for the songs?
IMAGES:
1) The top logo. 2) The cover art for "Ave Christus Rex".


Miscellaneous stuff:
Left: (Artwork for preview #4)
Middle: Eph 6:11-24
Right: Matthew 24:35

Left: "Merry unblack Christmas🔥"
Middle 1: (artwork for preview #2)
Middle 2: "We make raw but melodic unblack metal with medieval atmosphere. Soli Deo Gloria"
Right: (artwork for preview #3)

WARMETAL MYSTICISM

BAND NAME: Warmetal Mysticism
GENRE: Raw Bestial Black / War Metal
STATUS: Active
LOCATION: Norway

Lineup:
Holkeheim - Everything

Unofficial links:
Unblack Metal Wallpapers

Discography:

Cult of Demonic Conspiracy (album, 29 October, 2023, Independent)
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
Stream / Download (OFFICIAL)

Originally released under Naorgorium Mysticism with two extra songs. (Sometimes this artist remasters/reworks songs. I've never heard the original, so I'm currently unsure if this is just a re-release with fewer songs, or if the audio has been edited in some way.)

1) Cult of Demonic Conspiracy 5:07
2) Totalitarian World Government
4:57
3) Emergence of the Antichrist
5:48
4) Apocalyptic Millenarian Scenarios
4:38
5) New World Order Demons
4:57
6) Achieve World Domination
4:32
7) Externalization of the Hierarchy
5:04
8) Pandemic Demonic Mysticism
4:57





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NotOnMA, SimilarTo
Similar to: [SECULAR] Tetragrammacide, Chaos Cascade, Reek of the Unzen Gas Fumes, BDSM, Blasphemous Covenant, Nyogthaeblisz, Black Beasts, The Gate Has Been Opened There Is No Escape, [CHRISTIAN] Frostundus Ronoiseus, Desrot, Unblack Chaosnoise, Patay Demonyo, Horror Tomb / Ultimate Terror from Below, Hazael / Hazaell, Decimate Damnation, Goatblood (US), Satan Destroyer, Goatscorge, Pie Iesu Domine Dona Eis Requiem, What Brings Ruin,

NAORGORIUM MYSTICISM

BAND NAME: Naorgorium Mysticism
GENRE: Raw Unblack/Death Metal
STATUS: Changed Name
(Active under new name, Naorgorium)
LOCATION: Norway

Lineup:
Naorgor Gorium - Everything

Discography:

Cult of Demonic Conspiracy (demo/album, 7 February, 2021, Independent)
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
link expired

Seems like an album but it's labeled a "demo" on Metal Archives.

See Warmetal Mysticism.

1) Cult of Demonic Conspiracy 5:07
2) Totalitarian World Government
4:57
3) Eventually Rule the World
4:27
4) Emergence of the Antichrist
5:48
5) Apocalyptic Millenarian Scenarios
4:38
6) New World Order Demons
4:57
7) Achieve World Domination
4:32
8) Parapsychological Phenomena
5:14
9) Externalization of the Hierarchy
5:04
10) Pandemic Demonic Mysticism
4:57

BANSHEE

Note: This page is about a black metal band from New Mexico. Not to be confused with a heavy/power band from Missouri with the same name.

BAND NAME: Banshee
GENRE: Experimental / Lo-Fi Black Metal
STATUS: Split up
LOCATION: USA (Las Cruces, New Mexico)

I have confirmation that this band was Christian at some point. I don't know if their other material was or not. Either way, if I understand correctly, the artist currently does not identify as Christian.

Lineup:
Patrick Valentine, aka "PRV" - Everything

Links:
Bandcamp
Nokternal Hemizphear logo page (image itself isn't saved sadly...)
RockDetector @ archive.org
eSnips

Discography:


U.S. White Metal Assault (compilation, July, 2005, Independent)
Format: CD-R

The album was organized/compiled by Doug Farrar.

10) Banshee - Grave Yard
4:16, lyrics unknown
 

Een reis naar de galgeheuvel - Het vierde deel (compilation)

Left:
2005, Sneeuwstorm Produkties, 2 CD-R
17 December, 2023, SneeuwStorm, Bandcamp
Right:
2010, UMS Records (RIPOFF LABEL), 2 CD-R

The Unblack Metal Scene version is misspelled as "Gen reis".

CD 2, track 14) Banshee - Graveyard
3:51




== NOT SURE IF CHRISTIAN ==
1) the song "Wandering Eternal" (featured on "De Nacht der Plagen" comp, 2005)
2) "DIY two song demo cassette" (self-released, predates "Volume I")
3) "Volume I" (album, 2006)
4) "A Sea of Heads" (EP, 2010)
(For all I know, the project may have had other releases that aren't listed here.)



________________________________________
IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages
INFO:
1) Lyrics? 2) Are the other songs/releases Christian or not? 3) If they are, can anyone give me more info on this "two song demo cassette"? 4) Why are the track lengths so different on the two compilations? Surely "Grave Yard" and "Graveyard" are the same song, right? 5) Any other info that may be missing.
IMAGES:
All of them. Plus if someone can get me that logo sketch for some reason...............

GOATICIDE

[logo not available]

BAND NAME: Goaticide
GENRE: Lo-fi Unblack Metal
STATUS: Unknown
LOCATION: USA

Lineup unknown.

Links:
RockDetector @ archive.org

Discography:


U.S. White Metal Assault (compilation, July, 2005, Independent)
Format: CD-R

The album was organized/compiled by Doug Farrar.

2) Goaticide - Dethrone the False Lords
4:14, lyrics unknown



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IncompletePage, CouldUseBetterImages, NotOnMA

OLD MEMORIAL

Note: Not to be confused with Old Memories from Norway.

[logo not available]

BAND NAME: Old Memorial
GENRE: "Atmospheric Unblack Metal"?
STATUS: Changed name
(Unknown under new name)
LOCATION: Unknown

Stated by the artist to be atmospheric unblack[1] but the SoundCloud page doesn't work anymore so I can't listen to the samples.

Changed name[2] but I'm not sure what the new name is.

Barzal announced this on 3 December 2012, so the project was at least active then. According to posts on the forum, it was on hold as of March 2013, and was active again under the new name by April.

Lineup:
Barzal / Barzalold - Everything

Links:
SoundCloud

Discography:

At least two songs on there, simply called "Old Memorial Instrumental Demo" and "Immemorial Teaser". Further info unknown.


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IncompletePage, NotOnMA

GATEKEEPER'S SWORD

 

BAND NAME: Gatekeeper's Sword
GENRE: Symphonic/Melodic Unblack Metal
STATUS: Unknown
LOCATION: USA (New Jersey)

Active at the very least from 5 November 2012 (when he joined the CMR forum) to 4 April 2013 (his last post there).

Lineup:
GateKeeper - Everything

Links:
YouTube
Forum post @ Christian Metal Realm

Discography:

As the Sun Rises (demo/EP, 27 November, 2012, Independent)
Format: Digital / Dropbox
link expired

Also stream on YouTube (OFFICIAL)

Guest appearance:
Joel - Rhythm Guitars

Joel is GateKeeper's cousin.

On the CMR forum, GateKeeper says about the demo:
"This is my first release, so it's more of a demo. It contains three tracks- and intro, the main piece, and an outro. It's a bit atmospheric, putting the listener into a journey where he gets lost in the woods, night falls, and he must find his way through the night. Then of course the sun returns, and there's a spiritual aspect through all of this."

1) By the Light of the Moon
1:21, lyrics:
As the moon wakes from its slumber,
And night falls all around.
The wilderness comes alive,
And you will not be found.


2) Journey of the Night
3:11, lyrics:
I walk alone through these darkened woods,
Hope is gone, with the setting sun.
A mental ruse, of a sinful mind.
But the battle will be won.

Lord forgive me, I am the one you seek to destroy.
And I am weak, and tired, and restless
Please forgive me.

Over the hill, I see the sun rise.
Hope brought back, to my innocent eyes.
Why you've returned I can't understand.
You say "Here I've been waiting, come take my hand."
And take your hand I did, and praised be your name,
please don't let me stray, I'll never be the same.
And now as I walk through the valley of death,
I know I can trust him, I know I'll have rest.


3) As the Sun Rises
1:32, lyrics:
As the light returns to your weak and tired eyes,
The birds of the air fill the early morning skies.
A nightmare destroyed, and a hope returned.
For thy master's will, does my candle ever burn.



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CouldUseBetterImages, NotOnMA
gatekeepers sword