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It's risky having the audacity to title an album Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999. But this Colorado-based Black Metal band succeeds at delivering all three and some serious numerology. Luciferian stalwarts Satan Host pull off power, purity and perfection with terrifying ease and release the best disc of their career.

Last year's Great American Scapegoat 666 was an impressive feat. The band successfully fused Black, Death and Traditional Metal together into an exhaustive elixir of molten, satanic metal hymns. Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 not only continues this formula, but adds heaps of melodies, moody moments, searing solos, clean picking and challenging epics. Opening with "Sitra Arha (Power 9)", it's clear this band has some serious chops. Guitarist Patrick Evil really lets it rip with blazing leads and deafening riffs. Not solely focusing on breaking the speed limit here, the song teeters nicely between grinding grooves and burning blasts.

The band really turns heads with the next track, "Dark Priest (Lord Arhiman)." Starting off slow and moody with heaps of atmosphere, the track finds the band exploring new melodic territory. The song soon swells into a fierce assault of Black Metal and impressive tempo changes, Doom-drenched riffs and galloping grooves. "Beur" is a beautiful acoustic instrumental that segues nicely into one of the best tracks on the disc, "333 (Purity 9)." Starting with mesmerizing cleaning picking and classy melodies, the song builds nicely into an epic, melancholic monster. "333" is over 7-minutes of some of the best, most complex metal Satan's Host has ever recorded.

"End All, Be All 2012" is not only the lyrical oddball of the disc, it is also the closest the band gets to pure Death Metal with combative beats and bellicose riffs. “9 Lords, 9 Keys" returns the album back to the more epic and melodic material. Patrick Evil keeps up the impressive, creative riffs and moments while vocalist L.C.F. Elixir belts out impressively crystal clear roars. The track is 8-minutes of blackened bliss making for one truly epic track. "Paimon" is another acoustic interlude while the beginning of "Luciferian Spirit (Perfection 9)" channels Dissection. Starting with cleaning picking and a dense dose of atmosphere, most of track relies on much slower riffing and tempos. The song's midsection features impressive guitar hysterics, righteous riffs and melodies and some impressive rhythms from drummer Evil Little Hobbit. "Satanic Magick" continues the craftsmanship with crushing riffs and nice shredding while "Xem Dietus 999" contains skull-liquefying riffs and skin-pealing riffs, closing the album with one massive wallop.

Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection is excellent. The band expertly infuses elements of Death, Doom and Traditional Metal in to their wicked Black Metal offerings. The band takes a risk with most of the songs going past the 6-minute mark. Even given the length of the songs, there isn't a boring or excessive spot on the disc. Lyrically, some may find the themes difficult to digest, cartoonish or unattractive and may unfortunately turn off some folks. The band is serious and has no problems pushing their beliefs to the forefront. Those worried about their souls have been warned and it is their loss because the music contained on this disc is absolutely some of the best Blackened Metal to ever come from the United States. Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 is a flawless masterpiece that is both challenging and classy. Guitarist Patrick Evil should feel satisfied as he and his band crafted something truly memorable. This album is career defining and has the ability to lift the group from the depths of the Metal's underground. Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 lives up to its name and should be destined for several top 10 of 2009 lists. Highly recommended.

-Rottenbucher

Rating: 5/5

Satan's Host's L.C.F. Elixir

Interviewer: Rottenbucher

America’s Black Metal masters are alive and well in Denver, Colorado. Satan's Host originally formed in the mid-80s as a more Power-friendly metal band and featured Harry Conklin (Jag Panzer) on vocals. After the murder of their original drummer, the band split up. Founding member/guitarist/studio bassist Patrick Evil joined with vocalist L.C.F. Elixir in the mid-90s and reformed Satan's Host. Now with a much more primal sound, the band released several discs of drastically increasing quality and harshness until Moribund Cult records signed the band in 2006. After rave reviews for Satanic Grimoire: A Greater Black Magick and Great American Scapegoat 666, Satan's Host is poised to release their most ambitious and complex album to date. All while staying true to their Luciferian beliefs and turning Black Metal on its ear, these underground stalwarts are energized with the upcoming release of Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999. L.C.F. Elixir talks about the new album, its philosophies and what is in store for the band.

Rottenbucher: It seems risky calling your new album Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999. Could you explain the title of the new album?

L.C.F. Elixir: It is the culmination of this Aeon, which is slowly drawing to a close by the end of this decade 2010. Keeping true with the Luciferian Movement, as with applying the numerology of what Dr. LaVey pontificated; the number nine is the perfect number. All I did was stack it to harmonize with what the number represents in three separate words. (Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999) It’s been a way of life within this Grotto for the past nine years, amongst all who have entered as with all who have left. There is a book called "An Age for Lucifer, Predatory Spirituality & the Quest for Godhood," by Robert C. Tucker. Which when I read this, it totally influenced my ways of thinking, as with applying these philosophies in my daily life. Along with other books of influence such as, "Luciferian Witchcraft," by Michael Ford. See, it is a way of life that we try to live in every day existence; whether it's with your job, interactions with other individuals or your career. See for Satan's Host, this was directly applied in the creation and recording as with the performing of this new CD. A true reflection of what S.H. strives too achieve. Ave. Lucifer...999

Rottenbucher: There is a lot of use of the number 9 on the disc. Can you explain the significance of the number? What does it mean?

Elixir: Nine was the Concept behind this project, which was divided into three separate parts: Pt. I (Power 9), PT. II. (Purity 9), and PT III. (Perfection 9). Personal achievement in the Will to attain; what it is to each individual in his or her life.

Rottenbucher: Great American Scapegoat 666 got great reviews. How do you think Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 will compare?

Elixir: Well, this is something that is out of our control at this moment in time. We can only prepare for the worst, yet hope for the best. We feel that it is much more true to the old school ways of metal as it is with some of the influences that are in the ever present now, out in the metal universe. First off this new CD is with a new drummer, "Evil Little Hobbit." So as far as the beats, we were able to apply more of an array of different styles. Due to the fact that his archive of beats was more accessible for applying into each of the new tracks. While more of the modern snare blasts were applied in our own unique way. Which, in the end, accentuated the guitar riffs and with the vocal melodies a hell of a lot more. Giving more of an organic feel to each of the separate tracks on this CD. We believe that the reviews will be greater than any for past projects within the Satan's Host discography. Hail Satan...666

Rottenbucher: The music on Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 is much more complex and you are using different tones and sounds. What was your inspiration?

Elixir: Cool! Nice to know that it is apparent, to the listeners of this new CD. Yes, there was a little bit of experimentation on the tones in the final mix downs. Especially on some of the guitar tracks. In the studio we had different equipment to work with, which inevitably we dialed in for our new sounds both on rhythms and on leads. This was very apparent with the bass tones, we added more of a bit/rip to the tonality. Basically, we did the best that we could do, with the equipment that we had to work with at that specific moment in time. Our inspiration is basically this; "Power of Satan Compels Us To Greatness."

Rottenbucher: There are also a lot of melody and acoustic guitars on the disc. These have appeared before on Satan's Host discs, but never to this extent. Are you guys getting mellow in your old age?

Elixir: Perhaps Wiser, as with displaying more control and discipline towards our Primal aggression, in the riffs and structuring of the songs within this prime time of our lives. Yes, the acoustical pieces were designed to separate this conceptual CD into musical cadences of the human primal emotion. As far as the melody, hell, 'Patrick Evil' is perhaps one of the best guitarists in the metal underground now in time. He applies a lot of melody in his playing, from the distortion riffs, to the electric clean break downs, into his leads of hypnosis. Nowadays we are just more in tune, exploring the various degrees within our primal attack on the Metal. Basically, experimenting with new degrees of writing, beyond any other band alive or dead. Shemhemforash...333.

Rottenbucher: SH has always been able to unleash some awesome doom-drenched riffs. Does doing this go against the grain of Black Metal?

Elixir: Well thanx Bro! Don't really care, it is what Satan's Host does best, we go against the grain! See in this Grotto, we are always experimenting with as much of the various degrees in all of Metals' genome. Like has been said in the past, we are taking all the colors of metal. Applying them into our cauldron/style of achievement towards excellence. Then when they hit and feel like a beast, we do apply these styles of riffs in whatever composition it calls for. Hell, there are songs on this new CD which tap into doom metal, black, thrash and death all in one composition. Very rarely are there other bands out in this metal world, utilizing these experimental techniques on their full length projects. Hell, most of the time when I put in a CD from any artist around this world, they don't sound different from each song to song, most of the time it sounds like one long song from beginning of the CD to the end. Most of the songs are in the same key, same structuring, same modes, same feeling, and same attack. Lacking in diversity, which creates boredom unto the listener and eventual to the human primal emotion.

Rottenbucher: SH has used corpse-paint before, but for the last few years, the band has ceased to use it. Does not having the typical Black Metal image help the band?

Elixir: True, S.H. at one time in our career did utilize the imagery of corpse-paint. Nowadays with the evolution of our sound, it's hard to pigeonhole Satan's Host as a black metal group. See black metal is just one part of what makes up the S.H. sound. As the years and CDs have passed, we feel that our music is more diverse that the traditional Black Metal sounds. As individuals we have evolved, both in our metal as within our ways of life. As far as, does this help the band? Only the fans can answer this, we don't spend energy thinking about this. We are just going with what and how we feel, when representing a visual towards the metal. Past 6 years, it has been more about the Metal and what we can provoke from these nocturnal vibrations unto the legions world wide 9.

Rottenbucher: Lyrically, the band wears its beliefs on its sleeve. Do you think your strong Luciferian views keep the band from reaching a wider audience?

Elixir: True we do wear our philosophies on our Left Sleeve. Perhaps, though, when you're a group called Satan's Host, you pretty much have limited your ability to reach a wider audience. So, too the Legions who do, and are part of Satan's Host ideology. We believe that our lyrics are very enlightening of the Left Hand Path Philosophies and ways of life. So in every song, there is an insight on a degree of what we represent and are. We touch on historical events, present movements, specific ideals and teachings, as with utilization of demonology in a variety of cultures; which have a dark poetic quintessence in the songs lyrical expression. Chronozon + Shugal...333 + 333.

Rottenbucher: Have said beliefs ever prevented SH from getting shows or tours? I remember when Megadeth refused to play on the same bill as Dissection.

Elixir: Perhaps, but only to the weak minded, unto those who fear what S.H. bring to the ring. We believe that this has happened, and will continue to happen, so long as the human ego is part of the final decision when it comes to touring or gigging. Hell, we just got denied a spot on an American / Canadian tour due to this way of thinking from the weak-minded, programmed individuals in the industry. It's like 'Caligula' once said, "They can Love us or Hate us, So long as they Fear Us." Hail Satan...666

Rottenbucher: Explain "End All, Be All 2012" - the track is the lyrical oddball of the album.

Elixir: Ahh, you noticed that? This particular track was and is very different lyrically than any of the others. This is more about Metaphysical Prophecy, inspired by the ever present notation that the world is coming to an end. Sooner the better in America, Government needs to be destroyed, our money system needs to be destroyed, and all the religious propaganda needs to be banished from these western lands. The only way to achieve and get change is too annihilate the past / old ways of this system that doesn't seem to be working in this country any more. Truly the only way to achieve peace is through war! As an American, we are at war with this ever present societal system that keeps on raping the masses of our society and silling the strength of American integrity.

Rottenbucher: What does the band have in store for promotion of the Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999? Any more tours?

Elixir: The release date is Oct. 27, 2009, worldwide, under the Moribund Cult Label. Satan's Host Legions are able to purchase their own copy directly from the label (www.MoribundCult.com). We are trying to get hooked up with an American/Canadian Tour for this new CD in 2009-2010. Getting over to the European lands would be great, though only time will tell. It all depends on the opportunity at hand, we would like to do a tour with other Left Hand Path Metal Bands. Though we believe, Satan's Host are in league to tour with the big boys like, Slayer, Heaven and Hell, Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Lamb of God, etc... Ave. Lucifer...999

Rottenbucher: If Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 is perfection, how will Satan's Host top this album? You've already been working on the follow-up?

Elixir: Satan's Host will do so, by our commitment to excellence and hard work; by conveying our love of this metal ...666. True, we have been working on new songs for the next CD. Have about five songs penned, lyrics are flowing and are very direct and to the point. The music is very melodic, tapping into a wide array of styles and emotions. Drums are solid, very much an enhancement towards all the melody of the riffs. Bass is very diverse, helping the songs in movement and diversity. Which is something new for us, to write songs with a bassist in the room. This alone, brings in a new element towards our writing styles and techniques. Very excited to hear how this will take form in 2010. Lord Ahriman + 418.

Rottenbucher: Anything you'd like to add?

Elixir: Truly looking forward to taking this newest Satan's Host metal, Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999 out to the Legions / Fans across America and Canada. Moribund Cult and Odin did a great job, in getting this CD completed in these times of financial uncertainty. J. Petagno did some very evil art work on the cover this time around. It helps when working with a master of occult painting. Sending out our Satanic Magick unto the Legions / Fans around the World. Your support is the catalyst of our Grotto, it is the Power ~ Purity ~ Perfection 999. SITRA-AHRA.

-Rottenbucher