Sibir Records/House of First Light
Let us consider this a two-for-one deal. Preeminent USBM talents, Yellow Eyes, have been releasing their own music and merchandise through their own label, Sibir Records. The Skarstad brothers, Will and Sam, run the label from New York and have used it to distribute Yellow Eyes releases on tape and occasionally on vinyl. The lone exception is their most recent endeavor, Sick With Bloom (handled by Gilead Media.) In addition, the label also released the critically acclaimed solo work of Will, Ustalost's Spoor of Vipers (once more, Gilead Media will be issuing the vinyl format in 2017.) Outside of Yellow Eyes and Ustalost, Will is closely associated with the House of First Light.
The masked House of First Light collective operates in almost complete anonymity. Comprised of bands like Sanguine Eagle, Vilkacis, Vorde, and Imperial Trumpet, House of First Light releases radiant and frenzied displays of black metal. They occasionally perform live in their native New York. Each release seems to twist and contort the very figure of black metal in the United States. The physical releases are quite difficult to get a hold of and for great reason. They are released in very limited numbers, but they make for great treasures for metal fans who hunt for rare demos. Speaking on the label, Old Crone stated:
Standing in his tower,
If wanting, yearning
In a deep bellow
Cast high in shadows
Untidy to the world below.
Blood red relics
Shown high above
In beaded withered eye
An unfurled mother of pearl.Unfurl the carpets!
A procession!
A cherubim youthful pan
A gift upon the world.
Laid out like
A presence presence bestowed
To overtake monarchal inefficiency
With the vigor of strength
And knowledge of worlds.Visibly, a drunk bafoon
Set to possess
the wisdom of divinity.
Trouble in the night
Your domiciles lay before us
Burning brightly in our eyes
Smoldering like a snuffed candle
Insects peddling your children's bones.
Inhale your ashes as incense on the wind.Feel the shadows creeping forth
Dancing in untidy sorts
But you must continue onward
Despite her impending sons
Feel her lips as they graze your nape
The wind felt as cuspid graze
Laughing meets the ears in waves
Felt in oceanic ebb
Feeling delírium by opium breath.As great armed expanse
A serpent swept across the land
Heard as drum beat like thunder
Felt as appendage strikes
Severing head from its host
Fire in their veins.
The storm of oceans in their voices
Your armies will become his armies
Ruled by reign of his hand.BLACK METAL AS SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
ALL HAIL HAND OF GLORY. IMPERIAL TRUMPET. KHØLERÄA. MONGREL. OZAMA. SANGUINE EAGLE. TRABUCAZO. VILKACIS. VORDE. WINDS OF GLADSHEIMR. WULFKRIEG. USTALOST. OLD CRONE. ERMITAÑO. SPECTRAL WINTER.
ALL HAIL HOUSE OF FIRST LIGHT.
The label is off to a quick start in 2017. Sanguine Eagle has just released a split with Oppression where the band contributes a new 15-minute track to the effort. There will also be a double-cassette compilation featuring the bands of the collective which will additionally include a limited zine and an embroidered patch.
Sibir Records/Yellow Eyes can be found on Twitter, Bandcamp, and their official page. House of the First Light is accessible through their official page and YouTube. Sanguine Eagle's Individuation can be found on Bandcamp.
