The year 2007 saw the demise of one of Germany’s most famous and infamous extreme metal bands, MYSTIC CIRCLE. After seven unholy albums, mega tours with the likes of such luminaries as MARDUK, GORGOROTH, and DIMMU BORGIR and endless media exposure, the only remaining founding member, Beelzebub, decided to leave the band. The devil, however, is in the details: a closer look reveals that the black heart of MYSTIC CIRCLE actually stopped beating years before in 1999, in fact, when A. Blackwar fled the band and left behind a host of unfulfilled nightmares. Twenty-two years after going their separate paths, the visionary heads of MYSTIC CIRCLE have reunited continuing right where they left off in 1999. It’s a blasphemous comeback, a renewed pact with the devil, and a return to form with their old logo, fury in their hearts, and fresh darkness in their souls!
»Mystic Circle« is a blazing black/death metal manifesto of Swedish provenance; a possessed recalibration of their ever melodic, sinister, aggressive trademark sound. “Technical possibilities available today allow us to realize this band the way it was always meant to be,” A. Blackwar states. “Maybe time wasn’t ripe for us back then; maybe we were there too early. But it doesn’t matter: we’re back! The songs pick up the threads right after »Infernal Satanic Verses« and showcase how the band was supposed to progress.”
Listen closely and you will even notice that the outro of »Infernal Satanic Verses« is directly morphing into the intro of »Mystic Circle« by the blackest of magic, it is as if two-plus decades haven’t gone by.
No wonder this black mass is wholly wallowing in the grim and majestic aura of the 90’s: Unholy, sublime anthems like ‘Belial Is My Name’ or ‘Letters From The Devil’ will leave listeners speechless in their grim determination. “We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel. We simply wanted to pay tribute to the 90’s, crowned by a modern and massive production,” A. Blackwar explains. “We went as far back as our very first demo »Dark Passion« from 1994 for inspiration.”
The result is emblematic for a legendary band, staged with gravitas, sincerity, and burning passion. “I withdrew from the metal scene and didn’t pay attention to any developments,” Beelzebub adds. “Looking back, this might have been a good idea because the songs came together void of any outside influence whatsoever. We realized that the music we do is part of our DNA.”
A lot of dark years have passed since 1999. This is not only apparent in the muscular and stunningly heavy production of the unofficial follow-up to »Infernal Satanic Verses«. It’s also their more direct, pithy approach to songwriting and arrangements that shows the passage of time. “We have become older, hopefully wiser but also more critical of ourselves,” states A. Blackwar. “We both have to be 100 percent into it or else we don’t do it.” As of yet, the destination of this ghost ship remains unknown. One thing is clear, however: MYSTIC CIRCLE are back. And will surprise the metal world with this blackened banger. Notes Beelzebub in closing, “We’re incredibly proud of this record. We wanted to give it a try once again and have drawn fresh blood.” Hell can wait.
Tracklist:
- Belial is My Name
- Seven Headed Dragon
- Hell Demons Rising
- Letters From The Devil
- Darkness in Flames
- The Arrival of Baphomet
- Curse of the Wolf Demon
- Satanic Mistress
