In the Studio: NACHTMYSTIUM Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
For the past six years, Chicago’s Nachtmystium have been producing some of the more forward-thinking U.S. black metal out there.
So when founding guitarist/singer Blake Judd and his latest batch of supporting players—Jeff Wilson (rhythm guitar), Zion Meagher (bass), Sanford Parker (moog synth/effects) and Tony Laureano (drums)—entered Chicago’s Engine Studios and Volume Studios in December 2007 to record their latest excursion into the realms of blackened psychedelia, MetalKult just had to be there.
Thankfully Judd agreed, and welcomed our cameras into the studio to document the recording of their latest record, Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1 (Century Media).
Below, check out this unique, behind-the-scenes look at this emerging black metal band.
Photo by Jimmy Hubbard.
[…] World’s MetalKult blog is doing a 7-part “In The Studio” video series chronicling the recording of […]
Blake Judd (Azentrius) used to talk so much shit about Black Metal elitism and how “true” he was…and look at him now…Nachtmystiums music has turned into a steaming pile of horseshit and he looks like a fucking clown who just walked out of hot-topic. Blake the fucking worm signed to Century media, the biggest fucking poser label on the fucking planet that will release anything claiming to be “metal”…Nachtmystium/Blake Judd are a bunch of fucking hypocrites, traitors, and bottomfeeders. Hey Blake, nice fucking eye make-up…you look like a faggot who got lost in the make-up section at your near-by faggot-collective called Hot-topic. Also…Tony…what the fuck are you doing? You are FAR too talented to be wasting time on this useless drivel shit music…you’ve turned into a drum-whore…first “Dimmu” (the worst of the worst) and now this…what is the world coming too?
And they are a bunch of fucking druggie losers…holy shit…no respect AT ALL…no wonder their music has went to shit…”Yeah, duuuude, we sit around and take shrooooms and drink beer…yeah, we are sooooo awesome…..” fukin bottomfeeder worms
Yeah well Nachtmystium is a forward thinker in my opinion. I have experimented with certain substances and yeah the music makes sense based on how my thoughts changed after that. Nachtmystium is great band that I have been listening to since the release of Demise. I wish the best for them.
at the end of the day who cares if its drugs or booze or a producer or whatever. This shit is good.
For the most part, black metal is a dead genre; I have yet to hear a black metal band that has actually brought something new to the table. Even the most well-respected black metal acts such as Burzum and Darkthrone have tried to move forward to the point where their latter material would no longer be considered ‘kvlt’ or ‘tr00″ by the most hardened black metal fanatics. I give props to Nachtmystium for actually growing up and giving up the childish inverted crosses, pentagrams, and low-fi production. It was fun while it lasted, but the best musicians in history have progressively changed their style, rather than dishing out the same exact sound on every album they produce. I ask those who accuse Judd of selling out to count at least five black metal-hippie-progressive rock fans they have ever met.
Black metal isn’t dead, it is just changing. Listen to keep of kalessin.
please for all of us can someone define “true” and “Kult”. Heard that shit thrown around so much in so many contexts I’m wondering if it has any value at all or is just justification for slinging shit.
You know, there is really no point to all of this. Genre elitism is not something that should be used as a guide line for music. It’s absolute bull.
Take a page from musical history. Blues evolved into rock and roll, which then evolved into metal. Metal split into countless genres, but for the sake of time lets focus on thrash. Thrash metal gave birth to the first wave of black metal, you know bands like Slayer etc… Ten years later “true” black metal reared its corpse-paint ridden head.
I guess what I’m trying to say is what the fuck is the matter with you people? It was the innovators who begot black metal so why can’t you dildos just keep your mouths shut and wait for something “truly” brutal to happen. Christ!
Top poster = fucking idiot.
Thank you Mr. Scene Police.
He probably was in barnes and noble with his mom and stumbled upon “lords of chaos”
Go back to your cave and masturbate to your burzum records dude. seriously.
Its nice to see a band trying something different. Nachtmystium is great… until you can do a better job, shut the fuck up.
Sounds like Varathron Death needs a tampon!
Don’t like something, ignore it! Or better yet, create something meaningful yourself….
Sounds like someones sad that a decent band is getting the attention they deserve…hard work = results and Nachtmystium works hard and has created original music in a genre full of bullshit rehashed crap.
I don’t really understand the whole psychedelic aspect of this music. To me - it sounds like black metal with some analog synths thrown in. Does that make it psychedelic?
Wasn’t Nachtmystium on a racist label (Vinland Winds)? I am surprised Century Media took a chance like that
Varathron you clearly haven’t a clue about either the music bizz or BM. The whole point about BM is that it allows for great diversity - look at Ordo Ad Chao. Are Mayhem a bunch of ‘druggy losers’ because they kicked the formula out of the window? Nachtmystium caught my ear because of the amazing sound scapes they create and the groove that goes with them. Putting out 6 copies of a cd on an underground label like Woodcut is fine, BUT IT DOESN’T PAY THE RENT. Got it?
Doesn’t everyone in metal kinda dress like they shop at Hot Topic? I mean, you got yer band t-shirt, big shorts people; yer big beard, castro hat people; yer leather jacket, ass-length hair spinners; yer greasy, arty, giant glasses scuzzsters; yer jean jacket, ’70’s patches, slouchers; and etc, etc, etc…It’s all available at Hot Topic. whatever. It’s fun to generalize. Everyone has made good points since Varathron’s cry-baby and unoriginal (how many times do we have to read posts like this…so trite! Just like yer super evil BM name!) first post. If he’s so kvlt and anti-corporate, why is he on a site brought to you by Guitar World and Revolver. Crawl back under your Star Wars sheets that you haven’t washed since junior high and take your unconstructive misery to boring parts of the internet.
The vocals are too clean and just suck. Fuck-off and rock a Krieg album.
NIGGERMYSTIUM
Also funny considering Blake was in Krieg for years both on stage and in the studio and Imperial played bass on and wrote a bunch of the lyrics for Nachtmystium’s last full-length Instinct: Decay, wrote lyrics for a track on Assassins, and has toured with the band playing bass extensively in the past…
This place is full of people with lots of smart things to say! Make it better and start throwing ‘nigger’ around to make sure you have the most extreme comment possible!
The vocals are too clean and just suck. Fuck-off and rock a Krieg album.
NIGGERMYSTIUM
That ’s dumb. And anyway Behexen, Horna, Deathcult and Ravencult piss on Krieg.
You opposums that are only into the screechiest, shittiest, “evilest” sounding BM (of which there is great stuff out there to listen to) should just stay away from Nachmystium. Let those of us who don’t create esoteric limitations based on insecurities listen this band that is willing to take chances and ignore inflexible rules on what “scene” they are desperately trying to justify. The different types of sonic exploration and musical expression that many metal musicians of all sorts take part in is why I listen to metal in the first place. I don’t listen to it to define my personality.
I’m in the weird position of really liking the new album, but LOVING the “Worldfall” EP. Every song’s perfect!!! Seems to me like “Worldfall” should have come out AFTER this album. It seems more like a step further down the path, even though it came out first.
Cathedral did this to me, too, with the “Soul Sacrifice” EP. LOOOVED it, but the album wasn’t quite as slick. Maybe bands don’t take EPs quite as seriously and just let loose and experiment more… I don’t know.
Still, the good news is that the new album is really good. Good job, guys! Don’t let the a-holes get you down. It IS the internet, after all!
Had to get the album after seeing these interviews… I think it is very well produced. The mood of the album sounds a lot like the “Master of Reality” Sabbath era, but I credit all of the effects used to that (which in many songs is overused and relied on heavily). Not to mention the intro track has ‘Children of the Grave’ all over it……. But hey, they’re a Midwest thang, and I’m all about supporting the Midwest. Good joerb, and keep writing good music.
i bet Varathron Death found out about this on myspace. THAT’S gr1m d00d. you’re so kvlt and tr00.
The previews I’m hearing on here are superb! I will be buying this album. I love the direction they are taking.
Kinda Pop Punk sounding….Like Green Day and Offsprings?
Let them grow the way the want to. If you dont like it dont buy it. I think its great.
What ever happened to listen to what you like? If you like a band, great - if not, then don’t. If you do not, then go to a blog where whiny, little 10 year olds that still live @ home with their Mommies go to post their hate-filled drivel that has no relevance to anythin other than to compensate for your inability to say things to someone’s face. You’re all so hard when you don’t have to defend yourself in person. I bet you wouldn’t have the balls to say anything then! Feeling pretty cool and tough with your opinions I’m sure. Careful, someone may actually call you out one time so be prepared to back up the spit.
Welcome to the internet, home of the expert on EVERYTHING. No one cares what your opinion is guy.
If you’re responding to my opinionated tirade, the logical conclusion to draw is that you DO care about my opinion. And you’re right, I am an expert on everything! Thanks for taking notice you fucking worm!
Varathron, you’re pathetic - rather than standing on your virtual soap box, why do not you start your own band, find a label, and attempt to surpass the critical acclaim and commercial success of Nachtmsytium. No, instead, your insecurity prompts you to inspect whatsoever thought of your post, and contaminate our minds with your anal-retentive Gaia faggotry. Either start your own band, or quit coming back here to regurgitate your opinion; if you have not realized already, no one really thinks much of it.
I actually must agree with Varathron. The new album is weak when compared with past material. It’s no coincidence this drastic change in sound and production came with the signing of Century Media, and don’t tell me any different.
I can’t stand this album at all. The vocals are horrible. It just doesn’t do it for me…but I commend Blake for actually stepping it up. Nachtmystium peaked at Demise. Early Nachtmstium was pretty generic. This album is not good at all, but very progressive. Hats off to you for at least learning how to play your instruments finally.
Now, if you only learned how to do business as well as learned to play your Gibson. Stop ripping off traders and buyers.
Sounds like every other death metal/ screamo song/band.
ghosts of grace kinda sounds like that song from my chemical romance where they have the video in the school