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Our Top 10 Darkwoods My Betrothed songs list looks at the work of a black metal band from Finland. They first formed in 1993 under a moniker that cannot be printed here and set out to be a band who were very blasphemous albeit in a humorous kind of way. After they recorded their first couple of demos they decided to become more serious and changed their name to Darkwoods My Betrothed. Under this new name they recorded the 1994 demo Dark Aureollious Gathering.
In 1995 they released their debut full length album Heirs of the NorthStar. The album saw the band experiment with other styles such as Viking Metal which they mixed with their Black Metal sound. Although the lyrics still dealt with religious themes, they were less vulgar on the album and dealt with Viking mythology as well as pointing out problems with organised religion.
In 1996 they released their second album Autumn Roars Thunder. Although this album was also Viking themed lyrically, musically it was not so much, going back to a more pure black metal sound.
In 1998 they released their third album Witch Hunts which was a concept album which musically was their most extreme in nature. It was released nearly a year after being completed due to problems with their record label. They split up soon after the release of this record before reforming in 2000. However, this was short-lived and they split up again in 2001.
After two decades of inactivity it was announced that Darkwoods My Betrothed had reformed in 2020. In 2021 they announced that they are to release a new album titled Angel of Carnage Unleashed. The album is going to be released in November 2021. In the meantime here is a list of their ten best songs so far.
# 10- Part 3: Witch Hunters
The first song on our Darkwoods My Betrothed songs list is, as the titled would suggest the third part of a three part song trilogy known as The Witch Hunt trilogy. Taken from album of the similarly titled Witch Hunts, the band are very much expressing their dislike of Christianity here. Whilst this may be offensive to some people, it is the kind of thing that is generally a mutually held feeling within the black metal community.
# 9 – Inside The Circle Of Stones
This next track comes from the band’s second album Autumn Roars Thunder released in 1996. Darkwoods My Betrothed are an underrated band who should not be as obscure as they are. This is a track that really shows their musical talent and that they should have a more prominent status in the black metal scene.
# 8 – Autumn Roars Thunder
And up next we have the title track of the second album. Here we have an eleven minute epic which is very much a classic of the genre. With this track and album Darkwoods My Betrothed showed that they were a band who were not afraid to experiment and did not want to be pigeonholed into one particular style.
# 7 – Part 2: Burn, Witches, Burn
Next on our list is the second part of the aforementioned Witch Hunt trilogy. This track obviously also comes from the third album. This song is generally regarded by fans of the band to be the best part of the trilogy. This is likely because it is where all of the most interesting parts of the lyrical story happen.
# 6 – Yggdrasill’s Children Fall
Up next we have a song that defines the word epic clocking in at sixteen minutes long. It is from their debut album Heirs of the NorthStar released in 1995. It is a favourite with fans due to its length and also the brilliance of the song itself. The song goes through many different directions during its long time length, which are best left to the listener to hear for themselves.
# 5 – Without Ceremony and Bell Toll
This song is the opening track from Witch Hunts. This is another track that is a favourite with the band’s fans. The album as a whole has been voted and generally regarded as the best Darkwood record. The way to describe this track is that is black metal but the sound has evolved from the super raw production of the genre’s early days and has incorporated symphonic and melodic elements.
# 4 – Hymn of the Darkwoods
This next song also comes from the group’s first album. It is another great track that has a rawer feel to it than that of the band’s later works. This band are so underrated, as this track is easily up there in quality with the band’s who are among the most popular in the black metal genre. Unfortunately there are a lot of very good bands in the genre who are extremely obscure and DMB happen to be one of them.
# 3 – Red Sky Over The Land Of Fells
At number three is the closing track from the band’s debut album. It is a very good album closer to one of the best and most underrated debut’s in extreme metal. Within the metal community in the band’s native Finland, it certainly left an impression and the band were inspired to soon get working on their follow-up album.
# 2 – In Evil, Sickness and Grief
Near the top spot on our Darkwood My Betrothed songs list is the latest single from the band that has just been released this year and is going to included on their forthcoming new album Angel Of Carnage Unleashed. Although it may seem a little bit strange to put a new song this high on the list, this writer will say that it has been well worth the wait.
# 1 – The Crow and The Warrior
At the top of our Darkwood My Betrothed songs list is this song taken from Witch Hunt. It was performed with Nightwish and was included on the album as a promo track rather than a cover. Regardless of who people think deserves more credit for the song, it has elements of both bands. It is also a excellent track which warrants its number one spot on this list.
![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
