We're big fans of Sergeant D and his blog Stuff You Will Hate, so we asked him to contribute to our Black Metal History Month que of articles. Here is the only black metal band this guy likes:
I'll be honest: when it comes to black metal, I really don't know my asshole from my elbow. Is it racist that it all sounds the same to me?? I mean I consider myself a pretty openminded person (I'll listen to anything from Emmure to The Acacia Strain to Upon A Burning Body), but I just can't get into such formulaic, homogenous music :(
The only BM that I can actually tell from the rest of the pack is an old band from New Jersey called HAVOHEJ that I liked in high school. I honestly have no idea if metal nerds know about these guys are not, so please excuse my ignorance if this is super old news.
A good place to start is their 1994 (?) LP, "Dethrone The Son Of God," which is their most accessible stuff. What sets it apart IMO is the NYHC-style breakdowns (srs). This is because Paul Ledney, the brains behind Havohej, is a hardcore dude who played drums for one of GG Allin's old bands.
From what I can tell, this is their most popular song, mostly because of the hilarious intro. I think SPAZZ sampled it on one of their later records?
As much as I like early Havohej for its straightforward take on BM, what I'm really into is their weirder, more ambient stuff like this. Like ABRUPTUM, it has that kind of creepy, slightly off vibe that only people who are genuinely unhinged can create.
The thing that makes Havohej so great to me is their willingness to make stuff that sounds like complete shit, but not in a cool, sophisticated way that hipsters would do. It just sounds like ignorant, naive garbage that some crazy person made in their basement, which is most likely exactly that is it.
"Man and Djinn" kind of picks up where "Dethrone The Son Of God" left off, but adds some interesting touches like the weird fucking gong sounds and filthy grindcore-esque bass tone.
If I had to pick one song as the pinnacle of Havohej's brilliance, I think it would be this one. It starts off with what sounds like a sample of a tea kettle, then there's a noisy grindcore part, then at 1:25 it turns into what could be a high pitched sound then turns into a Pan Sonic song.
Am I 15 years behind the times for still listening to HAVOHEJ?? Did you get a boner when you saw the pictures of Profanatica jerking off on the bible??? Did anyone tell Paul Ledney to shave his dick bush???? What other bands should I check out if I like this and Abruptum???
For more tips on life, check out Sgt. D's blog, Stuff You Will Hate.
