Reviews:

From La Defuncion:

  Pioneros de lo que posteriormente se denominaría Death Industrial, Mikael Stravöstrand (Inanna) y Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) ven reeditado este clásico descatalogado durante años. Se trata de un álbum de Ritual-Ambient con partes sutilmente ruidistas que nos introduce en una pesadilla dónde nos vemos a nosotros mismos vagando por una vieja fábrica de algún inhóspito lugar, desorientados, y con la única posibilidad de seguir hacia delante bajo la incertidumbre de lo que nos deparará la siguiente estancia. Es sólo en la última parte de nuestro periplo (quinto y último tema del disco) cuando unas extrañas voces nos confirman nuestros peores presagios: no estamos solos, algo nos acecha. Tres campanadas ponen fin a nuestra vida, ahora solo somos un pequeño bulto de huesos y carne que pronto comenzará a descomponerse.

  Quizás no era una pesadilla; o quizás sí, la pesadilla de la vida.

From Ventrilocution: (by Pedro Serôdio)

  The frankly mundane philosophical and ethical roots of LaVeyan Satanism are firmly entrenched in a Weltanschauung whose pillars are rational individualism and hedonistic egoism, on which all human action must be based. A parallel with Ayn Rand's objectivism has been traced elsewhere – and is accounted for mainly because of the focus in methodological individualism and the rejection of holisms and solipsisms – but the spiteful Lex talionis, the irrational belief in magic as well as its blurry and sketchy Aesthetic notions (accepts subjectivism as a consequence of the focus on the individual and his reasoning but claims some aesthetic values are objective) all concur in turning the two philosophies irreconcilable. The preceding rant is not without some purpose: if Rand's Aesthetic philosophy demands a might-ought approach that reconciles the perception of what is and expresses it as what should be, the LaVeyan stance holds a vision that is much closer to the classic demands for symmetry, order, realism, etc…

  In neither of these, however, should Archon Satani be highly regarded. The duo's seminal release, the influential and outright tantalising Mind of Flesh & Bones, is riddled with the human emotion that most eludes any semblance of a rationale – fear. It dwells far beyond the limited scope of the might-ought ethos and creates a closed environment driven by claustrophobia, uneasiness and rampant, mind-consuming terror. En rigueur, it presents five differing takes on those concepts that vary in degree according to the track to which they belong: the introductory take awakens a sense of strangeness and uneasiness, inviting the listener to dwell further only to become enveloped by a continuous and rhythmic mechanic clattering that is accompanied by luring echoes of the menacing distance and the spectral proximity of a phantom voice. The second instalment is where the listener becomes aware that he has crossed the “threshold of normal awareness” (as someone described it) – the incessant clanging gives way to sparser manifestations of activity in the pitch black deep below that gradually reveal other presences in the immediate neighbourhood – as the ghastly bellows hint at the unnatural origin of the scenario, heightened by the demonic sirens' plead that both thrashes the heart and frightens the mind. Segment number three sets off the alarms with a tenser and much more strained rhythmic phrasing, materialised in a booming metallic clattering – always accompanied by background chants – that eventually subsides, giving way to a recrudescing of the phantasmagoric crooning. Eventually, the fourth piece regains some of the eerie ambience of the second track, taking the martial aspect down a notch in favour of a heavily oppressive atmosphere cum demonic vocalisations familiar to those present in seminal black metal releases (bear in mind that Mind of Flesh & Bones was originally released in 1994, a fertile epoch for such musical perambulations). The concluding take builds upon an increasingly denser and more strained atmosphere – this time enhanced by controlled background noise and more echoing vocal murmurs – with two elements noticeably gaining some prominence: a dragging metal sound and bells tolling for the unknown fiend that produces it. It brings to mind the workings of a torture session (the poignant stertorous yelp at the 5:45 minute mark being a central moment in this ghastly narrative). The clamour shortly subsides and the process is again set in motion for the rest of the album as it slowly fades into a gloomy memory in the back of your head – the gruesome festival eternally repeated in the bowels of Inferno has in “V” a formidable contender in the struggle to dwell in Man's nightmares.

  Perhaps the essence of Mind of Flesh & Bones resides precisely in conveying the «what-might-be» of a descent into the smouldering chambers of Hell – providing no solace from the crude and raw horror inspired by those grim visions and beckoning the intrepid to dauntlessly foray the nether regions. Those who feel the Aesthetic values of seminal black metal albums have deviated from their natural course into a void of all elements of beauty (not that I frown upon such deviances – conservatism is egregious in my book) should do well in procuring Archon Satani's groundbreaking release for a taste of what it could have aspired to.

From Phosphor:

  Archon Satani: Mind of flesh & bones CD Some of the lovers of industrial have this album among their most precious ones in their collection. And that since a lot of years. Mikael Stravöstrand (Inanna) and Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) builded a reputation with this death industrial release. It's threatening, but on the other hand psychological addictive as well. One keeps listening to those claustrophobic, disturbing repetitive soundtracks. This other world they create is fascinating and realistic as well, that is one can imagine the images these soundscapes create. Great to have this re-released!

From DarkLife:

  By large regarded one of the milestones of the death ambient/industrial made in Sweden, Mind of Flesh & Bones endures quite well its own aging and proposes itself as ghastly and claustrophobic as when it first saw the darkness of a gloomy, menacing night, back in 1993. Responsible for this blanket of industrial doom are Mikael Stravöstrand of Inanna and Tomas Patersson of Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio. Truly said, Mind... is a disheartening work mired at overwhelming senses with stark repetitiveness crudely mixed with echoing voices from beyond, defining banging of industrial manufacture and an array of perceived warning signals in the forms of undefined signs of disfigured life forms. Measuring this work up to todays' standard would be purely academic, as quite a lot has happened during the intervening years in this obscure playground, flirting with the ritualistic and otherworldly. Its' enough to say that the deviated escapist value of this work is still intact after all these years, and this defunct project (albeit not officially) deserves all the attention this re-release could bring them, specially from newcomers, potentially unaware of the Archon Satani venture.

From Filth Forge: (by Simon V.)

  Archon Satani's discography remains as a milestone in the "death industrial" field, especially their early outputs where Tomas Petterson and Mikael Stravöstrand were working together. "Mind Of Flesh And Bones" was released back in 1993 by Staalplaat and was probably the first work to feature the solo Stravöstrand. Cold Spring is now reissuing that long out-of-print item with new artwork and a re-mastered sound.

  No info is given about the five untitled tracks included in the CD, so the listener's only option is to enter the dark and frightening realm evoked by Archon Satani's underground rituals. Death industrial is still the best definition to file this music under, as the ties with other classic Cold Meat Industry names, such as Brighter Death Now or Megaptera, are obvious. Slow, mourning ambient strata slither in the background, while repetitive machinery noises and industrial percussions break the apparent calm with sudden violence. A non-human voice is to be found sometimes growling among them. The general atmosphere created is of total darkness, fear and anxiety, unseen presences are felt and the feeling of something terrible about to happen grows constantly.

  Even if not Archon Satani's best effort ("Virgin Birth" will stay as their most effective and disturbing), "Mind Of Flesh And Bones" is still today strong and convincing enough for any cultist of morbid ambience and Norse industrial sounds. Moreover, many these days are recycling these prime-movers' intuitions, so it's good to check out what they did 13-15 years ago and learn a bit of history. In 1993, Staalplaat also released "Day Ov Torment", Mikael Stravöstrand's debut CD as Inanna, another out-of-print-since-ages monolith masterpiece of death industrial. A small hint for Cold Spring or any other label out there to call back to life another seminal work that definitely deserves it.

From ShadowPlay: (by Scott A)

  This release is a remastered and repackaged re-issue of one of the founding artists of Death Industrial which mix with Ambient to create a series of claustrophobic, ritualistic, menacing anthems for todays audience. Originally released

  10 years ago it features the Swedish duo of Mikael Stravostrand (Inanna) & Thomas Peterson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio)

   The tracks are simply number 1 through to 5. Track 1 builds, full of menace, sampled distorted vocals with a rhythmic mix of sounds, that bore into your subconcious, keeping up a steady hypnotic series of sounds throughout, almost as if your mind is being attacked by some alien force. Track 2 is a little less relenting, keeping the ambient sounds ticking over.

  Track 3 immediately grabs you, pounding rhythms, run throughout the track, although the change of tempo later on, means that this acclimitises you well for the start of track 4. No 4 is a slow more menacing track, with chants, echoes, mixing with the industrial sounds.Track 5 reverts back to more Dark Ambient sounds, building up the echoing sounds and layering themso that they sweep over you, whilst you absorb the sound.

From Heathen Harvest: (by T300)

  I hate having to write about Blackened occult Ambience. There’s only so many times I can use the words “Crowley”, “Athame” “Satan” and “nun-goat” before it loses its appeal. Fortunately, I have to write about the exceptionally elusive and totally cult and infamous Archon Satani. What more can one say about a project, when it’s offshoot bands are all absolutely huge themselves? Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio, and Inanna.

  Cold Spring Records have given us an early Yuletide present by re-releasing the previously unavailable “Mind of Flesh and Bones”, released in 1993. Here is a history lesson for you. Which other Cold Spring act, made its debut with a very similar sounding black ambient tape, also in 1993? I’ll give you until the end of the review to figure it out.

 My first observation is the utter minimalism here, none of the tracks are titled (and neither do they need to be), but in all fairness, if Archon Satani were to have ever recorded a conventional release, they would have been laughed out of the scene. They really have earned that much of a reputation, and with an opening song that sounds exactly like a bandaged and amputated sacrifice being carted across a steel floor, while Lucifer blows his black trumpets in mocking laughter, who the fuck needs conventional? For all contents and purposes, this fits as well into the category of “Death Industrial” as it does anything else. In fact, one could easily be listening to Megaptera, under the guise of Luciferian Canto, corrupting and orating blasphemous intent, while the murderous sounds reach their crescendo.

 This carries as many unique and tangible originalities in its sound as anything that Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio or Inanna ever produced (and continue to produce), and for a band so baptised in minimalism, it is no wonder to discover that there is not even a single Archon Satani website. Suffice to say that a Tome as dangerous and perverted as this would just get lost in translation when equated with the internet anyway. Somethings just don’t work together. Satan and the Internet. Peanut Butter and Jam. Not to mention my personal favourite, Blowjobs and partners with hideously sharp teeth. An experience no less painful than listening to this with a Christian relative in the next room.

  Minimal music such as this doesn’t leave me with anything to say about it really, You already know what to expect, and if you don’t, I shall sum it up in one short stanza. Necro-bestial heresy, carved on a slab of icy marble, with carnal lust, and sadistic satanic desires, betwixt echoing nightmares and orgasmic sodomy. There. Perfect. Who can say no to that? It really is that simple, ultra occult, ultra ritual, ultra minimal.. Fucking good though. Even scarier than that trumpet track on the second Akercocke album.

   And the trivia answer : Endura. Now signed to cold spring as TenHornedBeast, they released their demo tape “Hexe” in 1993, under the monicker “aBRAXAS”. Also a fucking amazing tape. Expect a review on here sometime.

From Maelstrom: (by Larissa Glasser)

  This anecdote from an old colleague comes to mind: he was driving his gear and crew home after a marathon filming session in New York City. It was 3AM and the streets were mostly abandoned. Perched at a red light, he happened to look up at the window of cheerless building, and through it he saw a single bare light bulb hanging from a frayed wire. Shuddering, he looked away. He had no idea what was going on in that room with the lone bare bulb, and he sure as fuck did not want to know.
Archon Satani brings this scenario to mind. I must admit unfamiliarity with the blackened duo’s repertoire (the original release of this recording is dated 1993), but as with any qualified, Byronic suitor’s charms, I’ve fallen under its spell. This is a superb black ambient recording, understandably seminal, and worthy of staying in print. Groaning, distant voices of the damned intertwine with radiator hiss and clangy reverb. Almost as an answer to my prayers, these tracks of Archon Satani combat mediocrity with somber, merciless, unrelenting darkness.

   Any rhythmic textures are incidental in the shadow of this aural torture (beats clock very slowly, if at all, making Khanate or early Melvins sound thrashy). Mind of Flesh and Bones actually provides a glimpse of Hell, with layers upon layers of trudging, Siberian death march, and intermittent orchestral seasoning. The groaning ambient fume aptly evokes the hopelessness of a sordid S&M session gone terribly awry, where the safety word "cookie" is spoken clearly, but against all code, goes unheeded.

  The sonic equivalent to chewing on tinfoil, swallowing and then trying to shit it out, Archon Satani serve up an endurance test that could arguably make crucifixion seem like playtime. The duo’s inspirations derive from the standard fare (Anton La Vey and Aleister Crowley), but I purport these tracks are actually the ultimate hymn to reality: harsh, bleak, and imprisoned. Pick it up.

From Vital Weekly: (by NMP)

  The number of happy tones on this album can be counted on less than a finger! As a musical counterpart to Count Dracula, Archon Satani simply deny to let any sign of brightness interfere with its five compositions of glooming darkness. The album takes the listener down into the deepest and coldest caverns of sonic hell. Originally released back in to 1993 on Dutch label Staalplaat, "Mind of flesh & bones" is one of the true classics from the Death Industrial-scene. British label Cold Spring has brought this magnificent album out of the grey "out of print"-zone back into the limelight of the present Industrial scene completely remastered and repackaged! When listening to the 45 minutes long album, it does not come as any surprise that the brains behind Archon Satani, Mikael Stavöstrand and Thomas Petterson, were heavily influenced by the Devil's Rejects Aleister Crowley and Mr Church of Satan himself Anton La Vey when they established the project back in 1990. The atmosphere is dark and ritualistic. Operating in many layers, the basic ingredients of the five works (titled "Mind of flesh and bones 1-5") are deep rumbling drones in the deepest layers suppressed by noisy loops and industrial sounds of machinery. The emptiness and the grandiose impression on the album are further intensified by the presence of eerie choirs, ghoulish voices and creepy animal sounds. The repetitive nature of the musical expression combined with the casual penetration of ultra slow rhythm texture assist to create an intense ritual atmosphere. Listeners of dark ambient and death industrial, especially fans of early Lustmord, Megaptera and MZ412 should not miss this classic piece of satanic symphony. Highly recommended!

From Medienkonverter: (by Veit)

  Manchmal tauchen alte Schätze wieder aus der Versenkung auf. Cold Spring hat sich dazu entschlossen, eine alte, ursprünglich beim Staalplaat-Label erschienene Platte zu remastern, die Optik ein wenig aufzupeppen und den so runderneuerten Opus natürlich auch noch zu veröffentlichen. So kommt es, dass eine CD, die 13 Jahre auf dem Buckel hat und selbstredend längst vergriffen ist und zum Sammlerstück avanciert, wieder zu haben ist. Archon Satani bestand damals aus Mikael Stravöstrand und Tomas Petersson. Ersterer machte unter anderem auch mit seinen Nebenprojekten Inanna und Mitek von sich reden. Weitaus bekannter dürfte aber Tomas Petersson sein, der nach seinem Ausstieg 1993 ein neues Projekt namens Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio ins Leben rief.

  Wie der Name schon vermuten lässt, beschäftigt sich Archon Satani mit diabolischen Themen. Obwohl das Duo Thesen und Aussagen von Anton La Vey und Aleister Crowley verarbeitet, bleibt die große Erleuchtung aber aus. Vielmehr geht es um die Freiheit des Geistes und damit verbunden um ein Experimentieren mit Musik. "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" weist somit einen experimentellen Charakter auf, was man schon an den wenig aussagekräftigen Titeln erkennen kann, ist aber bei weitem nicht so abgedreht, wie man aufgrund dieser Tatsachen vermuten würde.

  Das Album war für damalige Verhältnisse, dem aktuellen Stand der Musik um einige Schritte voraus und funktioniert heute, nach über einem Jahrzehnt, immer noch. Die Kombination aus Industrial und Ambient zu einer Art Death Industrial hat schon etwas fesselndes. Ein Rattern oder Rasseln, das von Maschinen stammen könnte, verwaschene oder röhrende Hintergrundchöre bzw. Stimmen und Fanfaren aus tiefen Hörnern die so klingen, als ob des Teufels Heerscharen im Anmarsch sind. Gänsehaut garantiert. Manchmal wird es etwas zu langatmig, aber diese Längen lassen sich verschmerzen und "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" malt ein Bild aus Eiswüste und Höllenfeuer.

From Monas:

  Cold Spring released the famous 1993 Staalplaat cd of the extinct Swedish duo Archon Satani (after the split we got Inanna and Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio). Industrial ambient with a few noisy touches and unfortunately on this album no vocals. I think most of the Archon Satani material has been rereleased now. Would this make them less of a cult act? Anyway, if you like the old CMI-sound or industrial dark ambient in general, you will have to get some of that Archon Satani material like this one.

From Ikonen: (by Martin Kreischer)

  Vor dreizehn Jahren hatte der Okkultismus ein denkwürdiges Revival. In Black Metal-Kreisen beschwor man gerne das Bild einer satanischen Bruderschaft, die sich mit Zitaten und Aussagen von Aleister Crowley und Anton La Vey schmückte.

  Offensichtlich davon beeinflusst waren auch Archon Satani, die allerdings von der anderen Seite des musikalischen Spektrums her den Okkultismus aufarbeiteten: Statt infernalischer Geschwindigkeit und Gitarrenraserei setzt der spätere Gründer von Ordo Rosarius Equlibrio, Thomas Peterson, auf dichte, flächige Atmosphären gekoppelt mit einigen Industrial-Versatzstücken.

  Einzig in seinem Gestus verharrt Archon Satani wie der Black Metal auf der reinen Oberfläche: Eine tiefere Beschäftigung mit der okkulten Tradition findet nicht statt, sie dient lediglich zur Stimmungserzeugung und als Stichwortgeber. Entstanden ist aus diesem Amalgam der Death-Industrial, der viele Epigonen nach sich zog und durch die ständige Redudanz, ähnlich dem Black Metal, schnell in die Bedeutungslosigkeit abglitt.

  Das kann allerdings nicht das Original beschädigen, „Mind of Flesh and Bones“ ist immer noch ein stimmungsvolles Werk, welches durchaus neu- oder auch wiederentdeckt werden kann. Wünschenswert wären für das Re-Release allerdings ein paar Liner-Notes oder Bonusmaterial gewesen – so bleibt das reine Werk allerdings ungetrübt erhalten.

From Blow Up: (by Paolo Bertoni)

  Irreperibile praticamente da un decennio, dal buio riaffiora l'inquietante sagoma di "Mind Of Flesh & Bones", un autentico classico del dak ambient scandinavo. Fu pubblicato nel '93 da Staalplaat ed è l'atto più significativo di Archon Satani, sigla in cui confluivano le ombrose personalità di Mikael Stavostrand, noto anche come Inanna, e Tomas Petersson, che nello stesso anno se ne distaccò per iniziare l'avventura con Ordo (Rosarius) Equilibrio. Diviso in cinque movementi di pari intensità l'album conserva una freschezza che centinaia di produzioni similari e tre lustri non hanno minimamente adombrato, breviario esemplare di moduli espressivi di alta genia dark ambient che contemplano gli inesorabili accerchiamenti di 1, i temibili suoni metallici che echeggiano inquietanti in corridoi catacombali percorsi a tentoni di 2, i sussurri demoniaci incastonati nella demolente possanza percussiva che scardina rifugi di 3, i doverosi riferimenti lustmordiani, accompagnati da tonfi che fanno tremare le pareti di 4, i rombi annichilenti che s'odono risalire dalle viscere del pianeta di 5.

From SonidObscuro (by A)

  Archon Satani es un dúo compuesto por los músicos suecos Mikael Stavöstrand (Inanna, Vita, Entarte,…) y Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosario Equilibrio) hace más de 15 años. Su carrera no fue demasiado longeva, debido a que en 1996 se disolvieron, pero consiguieron marcar las pautas a seguir por muchas de las bandas que posteriormente se dedicaron a los sonidos más oscuros y ambientales del industrial. Pero en este caso no debemos confundir el término ambient con música de cierta belleza que se suele escuchar de fondo. Nos encontraremos con voces cavernosas, chirridos, máquinas, zumbidos y otros elementos con los que generan atmósferas asfixiantes llenas de maldad y sufrimiento que nos absorberán y requerirán toda nuestra concentración. Sus composiciones están llenas de pasajes realmente macabros, pero es ahí donde radica gran parte de su atractivo.

  A diferencia de otros discos que han surgido después de su separación, ‘Mind of flesh and bones’ no recoge material inédito ya que se trata de una reedición. Estas cinco canciones fueron publicadas originalmente en Staalplat, pero han permanecido descatalogadas durante muchos años. Una de las cosas que resultan más asombrosas de este trabajo, es que a pesar de tener más de diez años resulta muy difícil escuchar dentro del género un álbum que posea tanta calidad o que siquiera se aproxime. Cada pieza es una perfecta muestra de industrial apocalíptico y obsesivo construido a base de sonidos gélidos y desoladores, en los que resulta impresionante el trabajo de las percusiones a pesar de no tener un protagonismo superior al de otros componentes.

  Muchos les han imitado, pero pocos lo han hecho con la misma brillantez o con algo de originalidad. ‘Mind of flesh and bones’ nos proporciona un viaje a través de la oscuridad y la claustrofobia en los que nos invadirá la frialdad y un aparente terror. Si no pudiste disfrutar de la versión original y te gustan estos artistas o bandas como Atrium Carceri, Mz412, Megaptera o Deutsch Nepal, no deberías perderte este disco.

From Judas Kiss: (by SC)

  Betweeen 1990 and 1993, the pioneering 'death industrial' project Archon Satani consisted of the two Swedish artists Mikael Stravostrand (a.k.a. Inanna) and Tomas Petersson. Petersson then left to form Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, whilst Stravostrand continued to record under the name Archon Satani, releasing The Righteous Way to Completion on Cold Spring in 1996. There was also a rarities compilation entitled Of Gospels Lost and Forsaken, released on Cold Meat Industry in 2002. Mind Of Flesh & Bones was originally released on Staalplaat in 1993, but has been out of print for a decade, and kudos is due to Cold Spring for making this classic album available again in a remastered and repackaged version. The cover offers a bare minimum of information - the five tracks included in this 45-minute release are simply entitled 'Mind Of Flesh & Bones 1-5', and there are no lyrics or other text. The unwary listener is abandoned to find his own way through this sonic dungeon, and a spooky stumble through the darkness awaits. Mind Of Flesh & Bones opens with some gently resonating chimes, like Tibetan singing bowls, which are swiftly joined by a rapid, shuffling, mechanistic rhythm loop, like a long freight train crossing a set of points, some indistinct but sinister vocals, and sustained, booming klaxon-like tones. The second track, more leisurely than the first, begins with deep, sonorous, echoing booms and cymbal crashes, distant hammering noises like a dwarf at work down a deep mineshaft, spectral moans and high-pitched squeals like the rusty gates of Hell swinging open. After the urgency of the first track, this sounds like the pitch-dark ambient of Bestia Centauri, Visions or Bardoseneticcube. Track three is based on a crisp, ricocheting percussion loop, dominating whispers and rustlings, muffled rattles and bangs giving the impression of secret lives being conducted in the shadows below the threshold of normal awareness. Listening hard to the background of this track induces unsettling sensations. The fourth track is, I suppose, the most overtly gothic of the set, combining minor-key horror-film chord progressions with a dry, funereal beat. It's during this track that I really appreciate Archon Satani's sublimely sparse economy of means - what they leave out is almost as important as what they put in. The fifth and final track contains heavy subterranean rumbles, a return to the busy industrial process noises of the first track, a slowly tolling church bell and ritual chanting like plainsong or Tibetan monks. Archon Satani's most enduring influence has been on bands associated with the Swedish label Cold Meat Industry, such as Raison d'Être, Atrium Carceri, Folkstorm, In Slaughter Natives, Brighter Death Now and Megaptera, and Mind Of Flesh & Bones amply demonstrates that it's no accident that Archon Satani are regarded as the originators of the death industrial subgenre. With this re-release, a new generation of listeners has the opportunity to discover this influential album for themselves.

From Ritual: (by Roberto Michieletto)

  Quando nel 1993 Staalplaat pubblicò, per la prima volta, 'Mind Of Flesh And Bones' i tempi (storico / sonori) erano lotani dall'avere assorbito determinate tipologie musicali, anzi, si può dire che, pur se l'industrial era stato ormai sdoganato in varie modalità, però si faticava ad accettare una forma interpretativa allora nascente (derivata dagli insegnamenti di Lustmord) e che aveva negli Archon Satani uno tra i nomi emergenti. Il gruppo, partorito nel 1990 dalle fervide menti di MIkael Stravöstrand (Inanna, poi attivo in ambito solista nel campo della micro elettronica e fondatore dell'etichetta Mitek) e Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio), era chiaramente influenzato dalle teorie di Aleister Crowley e Anton La Vey e cercava di traslarle nel suono, dando cosi vita a quello che si è soliti identificare come death ambient industrial. Se solo avente un minimo di competenza ritualistica e derivata dall'applicazione di teorie a pratiche magiche (ovviamente nere) potrete rendervi conto di persona di come il tutto abbia un effettivo riscontro al momento dell'ascolto dell cinque lunghe composizioni che si materializzano nell'album. Quindi coloro che sono ricettivi sanno ciò a cui vanno incontro, per chi vive nell'ignoranza direi che non sussistono "pericoli", mentre chi sta dalla parte opposta (dell'emistero astrale) forse dovrebbe prendere lo dovute precauzioni...! Il disco, fuori catalogo per oltre un decennio, viene ora riproposto dalla Cold Spring e la scelta è quanto mai appropriato, visto che consente a tutti (neo adepti inclusi) di confrontarsi con un sound malignamente dark, apocalittico, strisciante, rumoroso e ambientale, inquietante desolato, iconoclasta e misantropo. Una discesa, senza ritorno, in un inferno glaciale.

From DSide: (By Valentina)

  Ristampa rimasterizzata di un classico, quella del defunto progetto pubblicato nel 1993 con la Staalplat, degli svedesi Archon Satani, ossia Mikael Stavöstrand (Inanna) e Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) tramite la Cold Spring Records.

   Cinque brani senza titolo nel lugubre viaggio ambient che discende senza fretta nel più profondo abisso, nessuna voce regalerà la sicurezza d’una presenza d’appoggio, tanto più umana.. è infatti solo un’entità, che di tanto in tanto tenta di risalire le pareti scarne del pozzo senza fondo, a ricordarci chi vi è laggiù, appena udibile, tra le sacrileghe percussioni rituali.

   Il claustrofobico parto (influenzato dalle idee di Aleister Crowley e Anton La Vey), possiede suoni essenziali e puliti (e questa ‘famosa semplicità’ si riflette anche sul nuovo artwork: minimalista e privo d’informazioni che non siano il titolo o qualche nota doverosa) che a cadenza fissa avvolgono e trasportano chiudendosi infine, in lontani suoni metallici di fucine all’opera sotto un’insana pioggia battente.

   Consigliato a chiunque volesse ottenere l'album in un sound più pulito, o a chi volesse scoprire un progetto storico Death Industrial, che darà modo di comprendere le suggestioni dei primi anni novanta, tutt’ora dominanti.

From Flash Magazine: (By FG)

  La Cold Spring Records ristampa un album fondamentale per quel versante dell'ambient elettronica più claustrofobico e impenetrabile. Il duo svedese Archon Satani - composto da Mikael Stavöstrand, mastermind degli Inanna, e Tomas Petersson, ben conosciuto per gli Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio - ha, iinfatti, influenzato molti dei progetti che hanno dato più tardi vita al classico CMI sound, ma anche a tutta qualla scena death industrial che, appresa la lezione degli scandinavi, ha poi estremizzato le soluzioni da loro approntate in pochissimi anni d'attività. Le cinque tracce che compongo "Mind Of Flesh And Bones" rappresentano una affascinante progressione di atmosfere che, da rarefatte, si fanno via più opprimenti ed ossessive. I drones circolari delle prime tracce, infatti, si sovrappongono l'uno all'altro, creando un background denso e sempre più stringente, in cui irrompono voci soffuse e ritmiche ipnotiche, che donano - soprattutto nelle due bellissime tracce conclusive - un flavour ritualistico e nero al mood creato. "Mind Of Flesh And Bones", ma - in generale - la produzione degli Archon Satani ha quindi offerto molti spunti a numerosi progetti - anche molto recenti, come gli Atrium Carceri - e questa ristampa è l'occasione per riassaporare le atmosfere evocate da questo duo, le cui incredibili potenzialità - espresse nel giro di una manciata di release - hanno loro permesso di occupare un ruolo importante nella storia di questo genere musicale.

From Exoteric:

  Dopo un silenzio di ben oltre 10 anni, la Cold Spring ristampa un tassello fondamentale dell’industriale anni ’90. La vittima di questo ripescaggio digitale è quel mantra infernale che risponde a “Mind of Flesh and Bone” degli Archon Satani. Un lavoro che partendo dal concetto di death ambient si finiva in una colonna sonora che era una reale discesa nell’inferno, una bolgia crudele di suoni circolari che evocavano mefistofeliche impressioni. Nonostante l’efficacia di un simile stile non è mai stato un sound abusato come è invece successo per la classica dark ambient di stampo nordico.
La ristampa della casa inglese è semplice, cruda ed essenziale. Così come il sound, con la differenza che è più vivo e ribollente grazie ad un non invadente lavoro di rimasterizzazione. 5 tracce dove i ritmi circolari si concentrano tutto in uno stesso punto, un buco nero popolato da spiriti e demoni. Sound a volte minimale con pesanti bassi che percuotono le arterie (IV), dosato con spettrali rintocchi e drones scheletrici (V), un introduzione da far accapponare la pelle dal terrore per finire con clangori e rumorismo tagliente (III).

  Poco da aggiungere, ci sono validissimi motivi per ristampare un lavoro vecchio di oltre una dozzina di anni e nonostante il divario temporale lo zolfo brucia ancora la pelle e le fiamme non cessano di spegnersi.

From Funprox: (by HD)

  The story of Archon Satani may be known by now. In the early 90’s this dark ritual project lead by Tomas Pettersson and Mikael Stravöstrand from Sweden created various intense releases. After 1993 the duo separated. Pettersson concentrated on Ordo Equibrio, Stravöstrand made some more Archon Satani on his own and released as Inanna. In 2002 Cold Meat already released the double cd Of Gospels Lost and Forsaken, which compiled various LP and tape tracks. Now Cold Spring reissues the remastered cd Mind of Flesh and Bones, originally released in 1993 on Staalplaat.

  The booklet does no make you much wiser. The album contains five untitled tracks, and there are no liner notes or other information. The music of Archon Satani does not take long to get me in it suffocating spell, with minimal and hypnotic sound structures. Deep drones, monotonous percussion with ritual hammering on metal, eerie sounds & evil voices, you get the picture. Most impressive part of the album for me is perhaps Part 4, with a dark dungeon atmosphere and very loud percussive blows.

  Though much similar industrial ambient music has been created in the decade, Mind of Flesh and Bones stands out as one of the more convincing creations in the genre. It’s truly dark and haunting, without becoming kitsch or cliche.

From NecroWeb: (by Deathbringer)

  1993 erschien "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" von Archon Satani beim Label Staalplaat. Nun wurde das schon lange vergriffene Album vom britischen Label Cold Spring Records in einer neu gemasterten Version erneut veröffentlicht. Daß das Album mittlerweile 13 Jahre alt ist, hört man dem Silberling aber nicht an, der Sound ist zeitgemäß druckvoll, was den vielen Tiefen von "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" zugute kommt. Diese treten zu Beginn des Albums vor allem in Form tiefer Drones auf, die von rhythmisch-metallenen Industrialsequenzen überlagert werden. In der zweiten Hälfte des Albums treten dann die Drones zurück und machen Platz für klassische Trommelschläge, mal in ihrer Reinform ("Mind Of Flesh & Bones 4") und mal in unterschwellig verfremdeter Form wie bei "Mind Of Flesh & Bones 5", wo die Drums wie aus weiter Ferne gedämpft und mit viel Hall den pulsierenden Grundstein des Songs legen. Allen Tracks gemein ist jedoch die rituell anmutende Atmosphäre, die mal durch die Songstruktur generiert wird, hin und wieder aber auch durch verzerrte und langgezogene Stimmen. Durch die sonst sehr knackig gehaltenden Soundelemente, die entgegen vieler anderer Veröffentlichungen im Dark Ambient kaum nachhallen, wird dem Hörer ein sehr kleiner Hörraum suggeriert. Vor allem beim nächtlichen Genuß von "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" per Kopfhörer verstärkt sich dieser Eindruck nochmals.

  "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" ist eine gelungene Wiederveröffentlichung, die sich auch nach 13 Jahren nicht zu verstecken braucht. Wer auf rituell angehauchten Dark Ambient mit leichtem Industrial-Einschlag, oder Death Industrial wie Cold Spring Records es beschreiben, steht, sollte hier auf alle Fälle mal ein Ohr riskieren.

From Fiend Magazine: (by Richard Stevenson)

  This is it: a bona fide classic of the death industrial scene: oft replicated but still holding strong against the march of time, some 13 years from its original release on Staalsplaat.

  Although Archon Satani is a long defunct project: with original two members splintering off into other projects & scenes: this is clearly the high mark of their recorded output.

  Back in the day this writer managed to obtain a taped copy of the sold out CD, whereby it quickly became a staple listening obsession. Then many years later absolute rapture was felt upon locating a copy of the long out of print original. As a consequence this album might not be new to these ears, yet thankfully its resurrection will allow it to be brought to the attention of a new audience.

  From the outset the immediately evident tone of the album is that of the sprawling factory ambience: the mechanised clatter akin to the sounds of malfunctioning machinery of some decayed industrial installation. While these rhythms lurch incessantly on, other discordant horns, random wails and distant voices add to the bleak, all encompassing darkness: and all this is encapsulated within opening piece. Hereafter different variations of the opening themes are explored but never straying too far a field, thereby maintaining a common trait throughout: that of impenetrable black atmospheres.

  To cut to the chase, this is absolute death industrial classic. Additional words unnecessary.

From Zero Tolerance: (by Glenn Burston)

  Originally let out upon an unsuspecting world by the Dutch Staalplaat label in 1993, this was the release that not only made Archon Satani one of the hip names to mention in any conversation, but was also arguably the record that single-handedly both kick-started and brought to a wider audience the world of what would be termed, variously, death industrial or dark ambience. A few years before labels such as Cold Meat Industry were picked up on and brought to a wider audience, the duo of Mikael Stravostrand and Tomas Petersson (known for their work with Inanna and Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio respectively), produced a work split over five sections, that took several steps back from the noisier elements of the genre and instead focused on feelings and intensities that were at times almost as harsh. With a desolate façade facing the listener at every turn, Mind Of Flesh And Bones today retains its gloom and stifling aura with so much having been delivered since its initial release means that it deserves the highest of recommendations.

From Neurozine: (by John Wikström)

  For those who want's to know things about stuff I can tell that Archon Satani consists of the Swedish duo Mikael Stravöstrand and Tomas Petersson. Tomas is mostly known for his involvement in the band Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio, but to be honest I don't know much about Mr. Stravöstrand. But I do know that they are from Sweden and that we (the Swedes) produce much music.

  Anyhow, "Mind Of Flesh & Bones" is a record I thought would be released sometime around winter due to it's cold and unfriendly sound. The music is like a very remote place mixed with the most dark and satanic intentions you can imagine, they are the foundation of the music. I think this is a must for the ones who intend to live their lives in a dark basement this summer.

From Twilight-Zone: (by Michele Viali)

  Correva l’anno 1993, quando coraggiosamente la Staalplaat dava alle stampe Mind Of Flesh And Bones. Ora la Cold Spring, a distanza di tredici anni, ristampa e rimasterizza il classico degli Archon Satani, come già avvenuto per altri nomi importanti della grey area (su tutti ricordo i Laibach e Sutcliffe Jugend).

  Questo disco è un tassello fondamentale per capire come nella prima metà degli anni 90 si sia sviluppato un tipo di musica industriale totalmente nuovo, presentandosi con sonorità asfittiche e scarnificate da troppo rumore, proponendosi con forte senso ritmico e circolare, creando atmosfere crudeli e macabre pur non sfociando nell’allora nascente dark ambient e sfruttando rumori campionati meno aggressivi di quelli dell’industrial classico. In pratica si era arrivati con MOFAB e con altre releases analoghe del periodo, a strutturare atmosfere diametralmente opposte a quelle costruite dalla corrente new age: malvagità, agitazione e riduzione di spazio vitale sono infatti le sensazioni peculiari trasmesse da questo CD. Un industrial più cupo e ossessivo che ha visto, forse, il suo apice con la compilation Zyklon B, a cui presero parte anche gli Archon Satani, e che, nonostante vari tentativi di imitazione (si veda ad esempio Atrium Carceri), non è riuscito a sopravvivere, ma ha fornito linfa vitale per nuovi sottogeneri.

  Questa ristampa sarà per molti l’occasione per provare un brivido di terrore e per comprendere da dove provengano tanti progetti dark ambient e industrial del nuovo millennio. Per altri l’occasione sarà buona per ricordare con rimpianto il duo svedese Petersson/Stravoestrand, ormai non più attivo.

From Rock Hard: (by Roberto Alessandro Filippozzi)

  Originariamente stampato dalla Staalplat nel lontano '93 ed ormai irreperibile da almeno un decennio, questo autentico classico del duo svedese AS viene oggi ristampato dalla lungimirante CS, opportunamente rimasterizzato e con un nuovo (scarno) artwork. Per chi non lo sapesse, AS è stato (parliamo al passato, poiché le attività del duo sono cessate da tempo) il progetto comune di Tomas Petersson (leader degli Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) e di Mikael Stravöstrand (Inanna) per tutta la prima parte degli anni '90, ed oggi sono in molti a guardare con rispetto ad un nome che è divenuto sinonimo stesso di death industrial (ambient). Le atmosfere malsane create dai due artisti hanno generato un suono claustrofobico, opprimente, minaccioso e ferale che ha letteralmente fatto scuola, al punto di fare tutt'ora proseliti fra la nuova generazione di musicisti. "Mind…" fu un tassello importante in una discografia di tutto rispetto: 5 tracce senza titolo, mortifere e 'nere' come nella miglior tradizione AS, capaci di delineare abissali passaggi dark ambient e di manifestare insane pulsioni industriali. Un classico doverosamente recuperato e reso disponibile al pubblico, importante per chi vuole comprendere da dove siano nati gli spunti per la corrente più nera della scena dark ambient.

From Filth Forge: (by Simon V.)

  Archon Satani's discography remains as a milestone in the "death industrial" field, especially their early outputs where Tomas Petterson and Mikael Stravöstrand were working together. "Mind Of Flesh And Bones" was released back in 1993 by Staalplaat and was probably the first work to feature the solo Stravöstrand. Cold Spring is now reissuing that long out-of-print item with new artwork and a re-mastered sound.

  No info is given about the five untitled tracks included in the CD, so the listener's only option is to enter the dark and frightening realm evoked by Archon Satani's underground rituals. Death industrial is still the best definition to file this music under, as the ties with other classic Cold Meat Industry names, such as Brighter Death Now or Megaptera, are obvious. Slow, mourning ambient strata slither in the background, while repetitive machinery noises and industrial percussions break the apparent calm with sudden violence. A non-human voice is to be found sometimes growling among them. The general atmosphere created is of total darkness, fear and anxiety, unseen presences are felt and the feeling of something terrible about to happen grows constantly.

  Even if not Archon Satani's best effort ("Virgin Birth" will stay as their most effective and disturbing), "Mind Of Flesh And Bones" is still today strong and convincing enough for any cultist of morbid ambience and Norse industrial sounds. Moreover, many these days are recycling these prime-movers' intuitions, so it's good to check out what they did 13-15 years ago and learn a bit of history. In 1993, Staalplaat also released "Day Ov Torment", Mikael Stravöstrand's debut CD as Inanna, another out-of-print-since-ages monolith masterpiece of death industrial. A small hint for Cold Spring or any other label out there to call back to life another seminal work that definitely deserves it.

From Compulsion: (by Tony Dickie)

  Archon Satani was conceived in 1990 by Mikael Stavöstrand and Tomas Petersson as a musical conduit for their occult influences. Their devilish pact spawned two albums Beyond All Thee Sickness and Virgin Birth... (Born Again) before personal differences caused Tomas Petersson to leave and pursue a more melodic acoustic approach as Ordo Equilibrio.

  Mind of Flesh and Bones, originally issued on Staalplaat, was the first Archon Satani release under the sole control of Mikael Stavöstrand and perhaps due to the transitional nature it's a desolate piece of dark industrial ambience. It plunges to the depth of Lustmord but the atmosphere is more sinister, more crepescular. Deep brooding drones proliferate alongside funereal percussion. As the five tracks unfold a series of rattles, crashes, scrapes and clangs pierce the stifling air. Ominous groans are summoned from the pits. When compared to later works such as The Righteous Way To Completion (an out-of-print title on Cold Spring) it's all rather primitive sounding but effective nonetheless partly due to its monotonous nature and its unwillingness to permit any light.

  This is the bleakest of dark ambient and remember when this was originally issued in 1993 dark ambient had yet to become a marketing tool. Psychonaut 75 and Hexentanz continue these sinister exploits today, while Mikael Stavöstrand continues an Innana. Archon Satani remain dormant but Mind of Flesh and Bones will continue to be a great black time for infernal youth even though it falls short of later Archon Satani releases.

From Feindesland: (by Raphael)

  Viele Feindesland-Mitglieder nutzen die Zeit, zwischen Wohnort und Arbeitsstelle, um sich die zu bewertenden Musikalben anzuhören. Da es mir leider im Moment nicht vergönnt ist ein Auto zu besitzen, hatte ich das Vergnügen "Archon Satani" via Discman und Köpfhörer bei meiner täglichen Busfahrt zur Arbeit zu lauschen. Ein Erlebnis, das ich jedem nur wärmstens ans Herz legen kann, besonders wenn die Motorengeräusche und Hasengespräche der Ghettojugend hinter einem nerven.

  Das Album "Mind Flesh And Bones" erschien ursprünglich im Jahr 1993 und wurde jetzt von Cold Spring Records als digital überarbeitete Version neu aufgelegt. Mikael Stravöstrad (Inanna) und Tomas Peterson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) haben damals mit Archon Satani einen ihrer ersten musikalischen Gehversuche gemacht und das Genre des "Death Industrial" entscheidend geprägt.

   Das ca.45 Minuten lange Musikalbum, welches aus 5 Stücken besteht, besticht durch seine klaren, kühlen und düsteren Klanglandschaften, die an eine Zeit erinnern, als Industrial nicht gleich mit bunten Strähnen im Haar, Techno- Beats und Plateaustiefeln verbunden wurde. Die Künstler schufen in den frühen Neunzigern ein musikalisches Werk, dass seines Gleichen sucht und auch trotz des stolzen Alters von fast 14 Jahren nichts an Faszination eingebüßt hat. Die musikalische Bandbreite der Scheibe reicht von, an Hammerschlägen erinnernden, fast treibenden Rhythmen; bis hin zu sonorem, unverständlichem Gesang, der allerdings im Gesamtklangbild leider etwas untergeht! Das Werk ist für mich ein Konzeptalbum, welches es mir verbietet nur einzelne Stücke herauszuheben. Darum wirkt es auch am Besten, wenn man sich Zeit nimmt und sich, beispielsweise während einer langen Bus- oder Autofahrt von dem kalten, unvergleichlichen Sound Archon Satanis, "einfangen lässt". Allerdings möchte ich darauf hinweisen, dass dies kein Album für Freunde von klaren Soundstrukturen oder Tanzwütigen ist. Die CD ist, von dem ersten bis zum letzten Ton, düster und streckenweise sogar verstörend. Sie wirkt für Hörer, die unter Industrial-Musik von Kapellen, wie Xotox und Co verstehen, abschreckend und unverständlich. Liebhaber von extravaganten und düsteren Klangkollagen werden aber um dieses Album kaum herum kommen.

  Cold Spring Records haben dieser alten Scheibe mit einer Wiederveröffentlichung die Chance gegeben neue Liebhaber zu finden.

  Fazit: Ein Album, das schon fast fünfzehn Jahre "auf dem Buckel" hat, entspricht naturgemäß nicht dem Zeitgeist. Wenn man allerdings betrachtet, wo sich der (besonders im Industrialbereich) hinentwickelt hat, ist das auch kein Verbrechen! Cold Spring haben gut daran getan dieses Tonwerk wieder aufzulegen, vielleicht schafft es noch der eine oder andere neue Industrialjünger seinen Horizont etwas von der Tanzfläche weg zu bewegen und sich dem düsteren Klängen von Archon Satani zu öffnen. Bei der Bewertung muss man berücksichtigen, dass es sich um eine Neuauflage handelt und ich daher natürlich kaum Innovationspunkte vergeben kann.

  Das hindert mich aber nicht daran eine Kaufempfehlung für all diejenigen auszusprechen, die Konzeptalben und düstere Klanglandschaften mögen.

From Guts Of Darkness: (by Marco)

  Projet culte de la scène indus des 90s, le duo suédois aura marqué le temps de quelques albums le genre rituel, associant percussions sentencieuses et nappes minimalistes mais denses. Ce 'Mind of flesh & bones" est la dernière collaboration de Tomas Petterson au projet et il partira peu après fonder Ordo Equilibrio. La version remasterisée proposée par Cold Spring offre une expérience intéressante côté son : épaisseur et profondeur du champs sonore rendent parfaitement la teneur sacrilège des rituels du duo, marqués par la mise en corrélation organique/spirituel (le titre de l'album est par ailleurs très explicite) de ces 5 pièces instrumentales que quelques voix incantatoires accompagnent. Moins direct et noir que ne l'était le terrible 'Virgin birth...', 'Mind of flesh & bones' retranscrit les souffrances et les transformations de la chair subordonnée à l'esprit unique et fort. En résulte une longue plongée hypnotique et perturbante dans les entrailles d'un enfer intérieur, rongeant insidieusement, brûlant progressivement mais sûrement. Une pièce maîtresse de l'industriel, entre brutalité assumée mais sournoise et implacable.

From Gothtronic: (by DJ TekNoir)

  This is an album that originally already was released in 1993 on the well known Staalplaat label and since then is a much sought after cult album. Cold Spring Records releases this album in a completely remastered version. Archon Satani consists of two members. One of them is Tomas Petterson, these days better known of the Ordo Equilibrio project he started after being active some years with Archon Satani. The other member is Mikael Stravostrand and he still is active with Archon Satani and has released albums on labels like Dark Vinyl and Cold Spring Records. The music in the five tracks on this album is best described as occult ritual dark ambient and industrial. A bit comparable with the early industrial flavored material of Ordo Equilibrio, but also with Psychonaut 75. The music without doubt has been of major influence on younger occult industrial dark ambient projects like Coph Nia, Atrium Carceri or Des Esseintes. Perfect music for the late nightly hours.

From Synthesis: (by Troy Southgate)

  DESPITE being at the very forefront of everything that is new and exciting within the realms of Industrial, Noise and Dark Wave, it's always good to see Cold Spring release a classic album from the past. In terms of what is likely to appeal, this label seems to have a perpetual finger on the pulse and whilst this perceptive strategy worked beautifully with Laibach's 'Neu Konservatiw' and all the Psychic TV reissues, it's undoubtedly worked here again.

  Archon Satani - which is now sadly defunct - was formed by Tomas Petersson (Ordo Equilibrio) and Mikael Stravöstrand (Inanna) back in 1990, and this album was originally released on the Staalplaat label three years later. The CD insert is a double-sided sheet fronted by an imperial eagle set in streaming rays of two-tone brown and beige hues. Underneath the CD itself, on the other hand, is a black and white sketch depicting an odd assortment of human bone, each fused together in an inexplicable expression of the macabre.

  The five tracks on the album come without titles and are therefore part of one nameless whole. The first of these opens with a droning bell and mechanical rustling, like shunting trains at a railway depot. Whispering vocals can be detected in the background, their painful words offered up like ritualistic murmurs on the wind. These haunting incantations become harsher as the song goes on, with the unyielding electronics refusing to budge. Other drones enter the fray, popping in and out like woeful visitors to a ward of migraine sufferers. The second track crackles and rumbles with an ominous air of gloom. Passing shards of metal assail the left side of your head and silence reigns for a few seconds before the same thing happens again. The repetition is eventually broken by an erratic hammering, steel knuckles rapping at the door of your mind like a robotic bailiff with an eviction order. The metallic sounds become more shrill and diverse, crashing and screeching their way towards you like the red-hot death throes of British Steel at the smelting works from Hell. The third offering has an ululating hum drifting along for a few moments prior to being battered incessantly whilst disparate segments flood the intermittent second-to-second void with an aural violence of their own. The vocals reappear, this time as metallic entreaties caught in the ambient cacophony of sound. After six minutes or so, things begin to slow down a little and we are left with lengthy, satanic chants and the original hum. Track Four opens in a menacing, but comparatively minimalist fashion. Sweeping drones that resemble a lone spillage at a ball-bearing factory, recorded in slow motion and punctured by a devastating thud, each swing of the invisible hammer causing loose pieces of electronic masonry to tumble down in a heavy shower of iron filings. Meanwhile, the deep chanting, delivered in a world without throat lozenges, is sustained in a raw growl.

  The final track combines a light, electronic tinkle - which soon disappears - with the sound of an earthquake in a city populated by rattling exhaust pipes. The monotone voices remind me of Lustmord and Endura, their lyrical circumambulation locked in a dark genuflection of devilish proportions. This is the best track on the album, pretty experimental although slightly more accessible than the previous four. Layer upon layer of sculptured ambience is brought into the foreground before stepping back into the shadows as a new phase begins in its place. Clever stuff. And, once again, the intelligent use of both delay and silence are particularly effective when creating a timeless and unpredictable atmosphere.

  I really enjoyed listening to this album and shall return to it frequently. The fifth track alone makes it well worth the £12 asking price and comes highly recommended.

From Aural Pressure: (by ANM)

  Archon Satani was started in 1990 by Swedish duo Mikael Stravostrand (Inanna) and Tomas Petersson (Ordo Rosarius Equilibrio) who created their music heavily influenced by the Devil’s Rejects Aleister Crowley and Mr Church of Satan himself Anton La Vey. The project ending far too prematurely with the 1996 recording "The Righteous Way to Completion" on Cold Spring records (long deleted) although there was a later release of rarities put out on CMI titled "Of Gospels Lost and Forsaken" in 2002. As usual trying to find out more about their releases becomes a perplexing / frustrating affair as they don’t have a website dedicated to them so a full discography is unknown to me. This is the 6th release in my collection I have of theirs… but they may have released others. It can become a minefield trying to tie up loose ends information wise so my apologies all round for any factual inaccuracies with regards to their recording output.

  "Mind of Flesh & Bones" is a timely re-release of a 5 track recording originally recorded and released in 1993 on the Staalplaat Record label, and long since deleted. Timely because here is an act worthy of serious re-evaluation in the days when the term Death Industrial is overused to breaking point. To some they are the forefathers of this apocalyptic noise style. The founding voices so often copied but never bettered. You could argue otherwise but it would be petty and churlish to do so. Best to give them their dues and say that their influences have spread far and wide amongst a variety of artists / groups. Cold Spring finally brings this seminal / essential recording back into the public domain for re-evaluation and discussion and what a wonderful aural treat to the ears it is.

  The music on "Mind of Flesh & Bones" is an intense and claustrophobic journey akin to walking unexpectedly into a black mass being enacted within some dark and dank dungeon. Visceral voices growl and threaten and bells toll mournfully as satanic black electronics swirl around hither and thither over echoing clanking beats. A subterranean voyage of the damned. The coldness of the electronics matched only by the harshness of the accompanying sounds. The music touching on the darkest, vilest thoughts of man where angels fear to tread. A nightmare vision fully realised in uncompromising hell spawned music. The sounds bringing a terrifying sense of fear and loathing to the fore.

  Fans of MZ412, Atrium Carceri, Megaptera and their ilk won’t be disappointed by this release. "Mind of Flesh & Bones" is everything you could possibly want or desire from a recording that magnificently conjures up feelings of impending doom and desolation. The fact that Archon Satani remain inactive as a project only highlights how much of their past recordings demand respect from one and all. Cold Spring are to be congratulated for making this recording from these dark pioneers once more available so you have no excuses to miss out on this tour de force of a recording. Revisiting the past reaps the appropriate sonic rewards.