THORR'S HAMMER

HOMETOWN: Ballard, Seattle, Washington, USA. EXISTENCE: Since 1994 to 1995. FORMERLY: From the liner notes to Dommedagsnatt: "Thorr's Hammer was formed in the sleepy nordic village of Ballard, Washington [Scandinavian neighborhood in Seattle -h] by guitarists Greg Anderson and Stephen O'Malley during the mammoth stoned winter of 1994-1995. This cold collaboration was finally realized when the unholy blessing of seventeen year old Norwegian native Runhild Gammelsæter was bestowed upon the project via her amazing vocals and lyrics. After adding the thunderous war-rhythm section of Jamie Sykes and James Hale the onslaught began. Six weeks, two concerts and a recording session later Thorr's Hammer disbanded due to Runhild's departure back to Oslo, Norway. With the hunger of ressurecting the spirit which once was, this release stands as a tribute to her return." NOW: Southern Lord Recordings presents it's maiden voyage into darkness: the cult recording by the black doom act Thorr's Hammer. Previously only available through Moribound on cassette, this highly anticipiated release is at last available in all its glory on Compact Disc. Thorr's Hammer is raw nihilistic doom featuring the unbelievable vocals of Norwegian goddess Ozma. Presented in her native Norwegian tongue, Ozma' gutteral dark vocals are contrasted by beautiful singing creating a huanting atmosphere. Funeral dirge is provided by the collaberation of Stephen O'Malley (Burning Witch/SUNN0)))) and Greg Anderson (ex-Engine Kid/SUNN0)))/Goatsnake). Jamie Sykes (Burning Witch/Wardrums, ex-CODENAME F.A.D.G.E.) and James Hale (Subharmonics). This union is raw, low and heavy as fuck, reminiscent of elder gods HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST,SABBATH, AND VENOM. The CD contains the original three demo tracks (from 1995) and a recently unearthed live recording ("Mellom Galgene") all originally created in the stoned winter of 1994-1995. They have now been remastered with the expertise of Count Schneeberger (ST. VITUS, OBSESSED,etc.)over one half hour of grim melancholy. THEN: You will have gathered from the above that the rest of the band became Burning Witch when Runhild went back to Norway. If you know anything about Burning Witch, you know half of the Thorr's Hammer story (that is, the glacial grinding doom part). The other half is Runhild's vocals, which are partly sung (in a low monotone-ish wandering voice) and partly growled (and you'll have a hard time believing the growl didn't come out of a 7-foot bear with ten tattoos and a pitchshifter). Quite nice.