Xasthur 

A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors

Hydra Head Records 2008

Hydra Head has done the world and Xasthur completists a huge favor by releasing this splendid two disk set of early Xasthur material which contains both the A Gate Through Bloodstained Mirrors originally from 2001 and a second disk of previously unreleased material.  This album lays bare Xasthur in a sort of embryonic existence, half way between the world of Burzum worship and the coma inducing drone of Xasthur's modern era.  Sure all the cold and misanthropic atmosphere is there in spades on this album, however the tempo and song structure tends to alternate between the modern style (Suicide in Dark Serenity) and the more traditional Burzum-inspired mid-tempo black metal (Spell Within the Winds and Kingdom of Burning Crucifixions) that dominated the day.  It is interesting to hear this album in contrast to Malefic's modern releases as this is heading towards the style that he has managed to refine and perfect after many years of condensing and stripping his foundations.  But A Gate can stand well on its own right and not just as a perspective piece though it lacks some of the power and impact of Xasthur's recent efforts.  The guitars a thick and melodic to a degree and the keyboards subtle while Malefic's vocals are still wind tunnel screeches.  even at this early stage you can tell that Xasthur is methodical and calculated.  Nothing is rushed and each note is laid bare for maximum effect and the weariness and despair are slowly pounded into the listener's soul.  Wearing his influences on his sleeve, Malefic's Burzum worship is focused in his cover of Black Spell of Destruction.  For a look back into the obscure past of one of today's most influential and legendary bands within the black metal underground this two disk set is mandatory.  Hydra Head has put love and affection into this work and it merits your devoted attention.