'Ad Maiorem Sathanae Gloriam' released twenty years ago

Two decades ago today, Countess' third full-length 'Ad Maiorem Sathanae Gloriam' was released. Time for Orlok to take a trip down memory lane and write down some recollections from the creation of this classic record . . .

"In September 1994 I took a trip to Regensburg to deliver the master tape of 'The Return' to Opyros, who would release it on Nazgul's Eyrie Productions. The trip included a visit to one of Elisabeth Bathory's castles, Lockenhaus, where the pictures for the booklet of 'The Return' were taken. Upon our return to Regensburg, we wrote the lyrics to 'The Wrath Of Satan's Whore' together on a napkin in a Spanish restaurant and altogether this journey proved rather inspirational. So when I got home again, I immediately began working on new material.

Before long, I had enough songs written for a new album. I recorded these as demo's and sent them to Opyros (this was before 'The Return' was even released, mind you). He was quite enthusiastic about the new stuff and suggested it might be interesting to record the new record in a real studio this time. Hammerheart recommended 'The Nick' in Mheer for these recordings, where he had just been to record the first Bifrost album 'Pagan Reality', so we booked the studio for late January 1995 and prepared for the recording sessions.

Full 'Veneration Of The Dead' 2015 show online

When we played at the 'Veneration Of The Dead' festival in 2014, it was our first show in almost seventeen years other than a try-out a few days earlier in a pub in Leiden. So that was a special occasion. Little did we know that we would play the festival again this year and that this would also be a very special occasion.

Since we played the festival in 2014, we weren't planning on playing there again this year. However, things changed when it was announced that Barathrum would play at the festival this year. We have a special relationship with the legendary Finnish band. We were both on Nazgul's Eyrie Productions in the nineties and we did a short tour together, with Sabbat from Japan, back in 1997.

Newsletter midwinter 2014

As the year draws to a close, we can conclude that 2014 has been a memorable year for Countess. There were several new releases and re-releases and we returned to the stage after an absence of more than sixteen years . . . in this newsletter we’ll take a look at some key events from the past year and we’re announcing a special midwinter sale.

MIDWINTER SALE: 15% OFF EVERYTHING

If you place an order at our webstore between now and December 31^st, simply use midwinter as your discount code and you’ll get 15% off your entire order!

SERMONS OF THE INFIDEL: A COLLECTION OF CLASSICS

In November, we released ‘Sermons Of The Infidel’, a selection of 15 songs from Countess' past. These tracks were selected by the band and all - save two live songs - were recorded again specifically for this album. Two of these songs have never been released on CD before.

Eight songs were released in 2013 as a digital-only EP. Due to popular demand, we decided to release a physical version as well. The original tracks have been remixed and remastered and seven tracks have been added: five more new versions of Countess classics and two live tracks.

RETURN TO THE STAGE: SUCCESFUL FESTIVAL APPEARANCES

This year, Countess performed live again for the first time since 1997. A new line-up was formed early in 2014 and in the remainder of the year we did several successful shows at a selection of festivals: ‘Veneration Of The Dead’ in Holland, ‘Under The Black Sun’ in Germany, ‘Metal Magic’ in Denmark, ‘Witches Wrath’ in Germany and ‘Black Flames Of Blasphemy’ in Finland.

THE GOSPEL OF THE HORNED ONE: RE-RELEASE ON CD AND LP

In October, the legendary first Countess album was re-released by New Era Productions and Heidens Hart. The CD is almost an exact duplicate of the original album, save for enhanced quality cover art and two bonus tracks. The LP has been carefully optimized for vinyl format, so it sounds fuller and better, but not drastically different. The LP also comes with two inserts and is limited to 500 hand numbered copies.

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCHED: COUNTESSMETAL.COM

In August, we launched a brand new website. The site features the band’s history, releases, images, videos, store and more. You can also find the lyrics to all our albums there.

THE NEW ALBUM: ANCIENT LIES AND BATTLE CRIES

In April, the long-awaited new Countess album was released by Barbarian Wrath. Our fourteenth full-length, the record features ten tracks of uncompromising metal, blending first wave Black Metal and traditional Heavy Metal in a way only Countess can. Here’s what some reviews had to say about the album:

“The songs remain absurdly catchy and the tracks have an astounding amount of depth and longevity in them for relatively simple compositions. This is the joy and the gift of Metal in the hands of masters.” (Wonderbox Metal)

“Real songs!!! You can tell them apart, you feel something while listening to them and you remember you have listened to them. That, the precious thing most musicians forgot about while trying to be smart, that thing is here.” (Funereal Drone)

“I personally love it.  Every track on here is amazing and this should be a modern classic.  Ah, well, I'll just spin it a few thousand times myself!” (The Third Of The Storms)

According to the Heavy Metal Saloon, the song ‘Call Of The Ancient Pantheon’ is one of this year’s fifteen best songs.

FOLLOW COUNTESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

We maintain an official presence on several so-called social media, including Facebook and Twitter, where you can follow us for all the latest news and updates concerning Countess.

'Sermons Of The Infidel' CD released: an exclusive collection of re-recorded classics

'Sermons Of The Infidel' contains a selection of 15 songs from Countess' past. These tracks were selected by the band and all - save two live songs - were recorded again specifically for this album, throughout 2013 and 2014.
Eight of these tracks were released in 2013 as a digital-only EP. Due to popular demand, the band decided to release a physical version as well. The original eight tracks have been remixed and remastered and seven tracks have been added: five more new versions of Countess classics - including a Manilla Road cover - and two live songs, recorded at the 'Metal Magic' festival in Denmark this year.

Though not an anthology in the strictest sense, this record does include many highlights from the band's extensive discography. It is therefore a perfect record for those who aren't familiar with Countess yet to get a first taste of the band's unique take on metal.
'Sermons Of The Infidel' is released exclusively as a sealed digipak with an 8-page booklet. The album is out now and available from the band, Heidens Hart and New Era Productions.

'Ancient Lies And Battle Cries' out now

Our new album 'Ancient Lies And Battle Cries' is out now and available from our official Bandcamp store. The album is also available digitally on iTunes and available for streaming on Spotify.
 

New album to be released April 9th

On April 9, Dutch Black Metal legends COUNTESS will release their long-awaited new full-length album, entitled ‘Ancient Lies And Battle Cries' through the band's long-time label Barbarian Wrath.

'Ancient Lies And Battle Cries', the band's fourteenth full-length, features ten tracks of uncompromising METAL, blending first wave Black Metal and traditional Heavy Metal in a way only COUNTESS can. The result of almost three years of writing and recording, 'Ancient Lies' will surely satisfy all those who long for the days when Black Metal was still METAL.

The album's full track list:

1. Battle Sky

2. Call Of The Ancient Pantheon

3. By Hammer And Blood

4. Vengeance Of The Slain

5. Beneath The Eye Of Wisdom

6. Confessions Of A Polytheist

7. Pray For The Cult

8. Cursed Seed Of Aten

9. Burn The Throne

10. The Last Temple

'I Am The Infidel' shirt available now

Heavy 100% cotton black shirt with white print on both sides. Available sizes: M, L, XL and XXL. Available here.