This disc has been shrouded in more mystery and controversy than possibly any other Christian metal album in history. When this cd first appeared on the scene in 1994 the fact that it was done by one man calling himself Anonymous and was released as a direct retaliation against the Satanic black metal scene in Norway at the time, whose arguable leader Euronymous had been killed by fellow black metaller Varg Vikernes, seemed to almost be a joke (and is still considered that by some). Some song titles like "Release and Clothe the Virgin Sacrifice" and "Invert the inverted Pentagram" appeared laughable, that is until you heard it! As death threats from the "Nordic" scene poured in to people like Steve Rowe and Germany's Nuclear Blast Records (who both helped market the cd) the underground notoriety of Horde grew and the disc sold out and went out-of-print almost as quickly as it had appeared, now with demand (and prices) for this rare gem high, it has been re-released on Rowe Productions. When you pop this disc into the player you get a full-blown attack of true primitive black metal! Although there are some keyboards they are barely noticeable and the sound on here is miles away from the modern "symphonic" sound that black metal has taken in recent years. To this date this is the only recording (with the possible exception of GRIM) that can truly be compared to the likes of Dark Throne, Mayhem, and Burzum. The vocals are high and shrill, the guitars are played at light-speed, and the drums are full of insane tempos and blast. This is shrill and grinding black metal at its finest and most primitive stage. With the early days of the black metal scene all but forgotten you may not hear many more bands like this, so grab a copy while you can.
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by NecRoSarXBoy, I love typing out this CD's title on my PC. It drives the auto-spell check nuts. Ladies and gentlemen, behold the first truly unblack metal CD to grace both the secular and Christian metal scenes. Sure, some would argue Vengeance Rising to be the first unblack metal band, but let's face it, Vengeance was more thrash oriented. Horde is one of the first stabs at European black metal, where the…Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by thOrNNo it's not the infamous H.O.R.D.E. festival fronted by the alterna-elite, it's the full effect unblack metal sounds by some guy in Australia. That's right all instruments are one dude, and his name is Anonymous (for real) and with music this anti-black I agree with not putting your name on it. It's also a bag on the old Euronymous of satanic black metal fame that committed suicide awhile back.…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestThis is a 1994 release that was reissued last year. This album caught some attention from extreme metal fans worldwide as it was the first black metal album with Christian lyrics that found its way into the secular market by distribution through Nuclear Blast. It has the same visual approach as other black metal releases with a capricious band-logo and a cover-picture of a graveyard at night.…Heaven's Metal #54Reviewed by Doug Van PeltHere is an interesting project. I still remember the first time I listened to it - in the back seat of a car parked at the Black Stump Festival in Australia. Anonymous, the vocalist and instigator of the entire project, explained to me the musical nuances and lyrical insights as curious people walked by the car wondering what this extreme noise was. As extreme metal goes, it will now have to look…Similar sounding releases
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