Gods Of War

Often overshadowed by the masterful Fallen Angel of Doom, Blasphemy’s second and final album, Gods of War, is no less a triumph. As with many bands ahead of their time, Blasphemy faced serious obstacles after their debut—most notably their troubled relationship with Wild Rags Records. Despite strong sales, the band received virtually no royalties, prompting them to seek a new label for their next release.They found a fitting ally in Osmose Productions, then responsible for some of the early 1990s’ most influential Black Metal albums. In the fall of 1992, Blasphemy returned to Fiasco Bros. Studio with a larger budget and renewed focus. The core lineup—Nocturnal Grave Desecrator and Black Winds, Caller of the Storms, and 3 Black Hearts of Damnation and Impurity—remained intact, while former guitarists Black Priest of the 7 Satanic Rituals and Traditional Sodomizer of the Goddess of Perversity had departed. Instead of adding a new guitarist, the band enlisted bassist Ace Gustapo Necrosleezer and Vaginal Commands, allowing Black Winds to concentrate fully on vocals.Clocking in at just over twenty minutes, Gods of War delivers an unrelenting display of controlled chaos. Its intensity and concision make it one of the most forceful statements in Black Metal, with strong Grindcore undertones and several tracks under a minute long. Four songs from the Blood Upon the Altar demo were re-recorded with heavier, fuller production, contributing to what is arguably the most aggressive and powerful sound in Blasphemy’s catalog.This new edition of Gods of War marks the first time NWN! has reissued the album since acquiring the rights from Osmose. To commemorate the release, NWN! has reimagined the layout in a style truer to Blasphemy’s original vision and consistent with their earlier works—an essential tribute to one of the most uncompromising forces in extreme metal.