The Alliance of CASUS BELLI MUSICA & BEVERINA presents a new release of Pagan metal masters from Spain – a split album of CRYSTALMOORS and HORDAK! Cover art of this release was created by Norax, a vocalist of LUX DIVINA. Five compositions with total run of 41 minutes were recorded specially for this split album: 4 tracks by CRYSTALMOORS and 1 by HORDAK (20-minute epos!). CRYSTALMOORS’ part is titled as “Árguma” in Cantabrian – paying an homage to a shrub called “gorse” (Ulex Europaeus) with 4-cm thorns, and deep and strong roots. Árguma (also known as Tojo) symbolizes the Cantabrian nation of the pre-Roman epoch, bristling in the same way for self-defense and deeply rooted in its native land.Árguma grows throughout Europe and it is one of the native species of Cantabria (North Iberia), as well as one of the most dangerous 100 invasive species.The part of HORDAK is titled as “Ophiusa”, it is a 20-minute song divided into 7 different chapters. Each chapter transforms through different musical environments, but all of them are bound by the same atmosphere and concept.“Ophiusa” means “the land of the serpents”, it is one of the very first names the ancient Greeks used for the Iberian Peninsula.“The lyrical concept behind it explores the light and shadows of our homeland from a devoted, but at the same time critical and skeptical point of view: dangerous, wild, difficult to be conquered…”“Ophiusa” stands for HORDAK´s 5th opus – the band’s most challenging and experimental material so far.
Includes unlimited streaming of CRYSTALMOORS / HORDAK - Árguma / Ophiusa split LP (2018)
via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
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Majestic, intricate, and atmospheric melodic black metal. The melodies throughout this album are infectious. The vocals are quite varied (there is a wide array of harsh timbres, but there are also pleasing cleans); the guitar work is complex, layered and rich with innovative riffs; the bass sits in a good spot in the mix; the programmed drums are well done; and the keyboards add a mystical grandeur throughout this album. Landon
A Pagan black metal masterpiece.
Folk and black metal elements fuse into one extremely catchy and awe inspiring album. This band does not disappoint from all the high praise sent it's way. Abyssius Murkraken
Featuring members of Noothgrush, Graves at Sea, and more, the Oakland metal band juxtapose cavernous doom with spaced-out shoegaze. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 21, 2024
I'd say Havukruunu is the rightful holder of the Crown and the mantle of Quorthon. Epic choirs, vikingesque themes and tales from the other times, of the Finnish paganism back in the days before our ancestors were brought to the cross and forced to kneel while feeling the bloody sword of saviour on their throats made to kiss the hand of murderers who burnt thousands, tore down our holy places and took our holy days. Eyes teary I listen to these songs, never forgiving the crimes of the cross! Peikonmieli