CoC : Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra - The Keys to the Gates of Apocalypse : Review

Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra - _The Keys to the Gates of Apocalypse_
(1999, 1999)
by: Aaron McKay (8 out of 10)

This is one BASTARD of a release! ONE song -- seventy two minutes long. I think to call this an "epic" disc is leading you to believe the song/release has some type of ensuing finality. Couldn't prove it by me. When you think about it, the prolongation of _TKttGoA_ makes Iron Butterfly's _In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_ look like an Anal Cunt track! Know what I mean? Now seriously, the skinny on Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra is _TKttGoA_ is the much anticipated second release of MVD (a side-project of Kniaz Varggoth of Nokturnal Mortum notoriety). Having given this some thought, by way of constructive advice, don't go into this release thinking "Killer! Another _Goat Horns_ or _To the Gates of Blasphemous Fire_." This line of thinking will disappoint. Rather, consider MVD in its own right. To illustrate my point, think of Kniaz Varggoth's two bands as you might think of Danny Lilker's involvement with Nuclear Assault and Brutal Truth. Similar? Hell yea, but the same? Fuck no! _The Keys to the Gates of Apocalypse_ is beautiful in -every- excavated, hollow sense of the word. Black metal in parts pitted harmoniously against icy, wind-cracked minimalism. So obfuscous and thick is this release that it almost smothers the soul. In no way is _TKttGoA_ for the weak or feeble and certainly not for the narrow-minded or mentally bankrupt. Absorb and digest this Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra release in one sitting or twelve, but -DO- give _TKttGoA_ seventy-two minutes of your day, year, or life, for all I care... That much, it is definitely worthy.

(article published 7/7/1999)