Mistigo Varggoth Darkestra is the dark and mysterious labor of Kniaz Varggoth (
Nokturnal Mortum). This work is a single, 72-minute track combining sound samples, creepy keyboards, and
Neurosis-like noise assaults. Combined with haunted organ, arcane and diabolical lyrics ("I light the candles of my sorcery/The blood is on the altar"), and possessed laughter, The Key to Gates of Apocalypses offers dual, sinister appeal. Satanic imagery and the harsh, over-the-top sonic textures of Bile meet the extreme, Norwegian dungeon compositions of
Mortiis. The hellish, one-man opera tells a tale of sorcery, a Faustian process for meeting dark powers. Chilling sound effects and potent aural explosions paint a convincing and broad-stroked painting of this Mephistophelean meeting. ~ Tom Schulte