New Christian Black Metal 2016 (Orationem)

One of my goals before my surgery in April to remove my cancer was to finish another Orationem album.
Mission complete! I spent two weeks recording this, so I hope you Christian black metal fans out there like it.

What's different from the previous two full length releases is more guitar variety, and a "cello" (a multi layered sound from my Korg Legacy collection) to add a slight symphonic element. There's also a bit more doooooooooooooooooom in several tracks as well. I've always been a "pray and play" kind of guy, and the result, in my opinion, worked out very well!

Obviously, how my life has changed from my illness effected the lyrical content. No, its not "Tom's Cancer album", but the point-of-view prayer lyrics deal a bit more in the "trial and triumph" aspect than the prior two albums.

There's a pro-press version of the album coming soon (from Germany's No Sleep Till Megiddo Records) and the DIY US pressing is available now. Either disc is $7.50. Lyrics, samples, album info and store is at http://www.orationem.com

I swore off digital releases since piracy is ridiculous, but I do have a digital download version of the album (ID3Tagged with cover art and lyrics) if anyone here (on this forum) would like to purchase it, privately. That price is $3.75 for the album, where I'll e-mail you a direct download link. Please PM me if you're interested.

Thoughts? Opinions? Criticisms? Compliments?
Thank you for your time!

Just ordered my copy!

Its on its way to you! Thanks bro,

I'm super stoked (been anticipating this release) and will place my order this weekend. This is premium USBM folks, you need to get this!

ThomasEversole wrote:Its on its way to you!  Thanks bro,

Wow, such service!  Thanks dude!!!

Deepfriar wrote:I'm super stoked (been anticipating this release) and will place my order this weekend. This is premier USBM folks, you need to get this!

Indeed.  The first two Orationem albums are quite good but from the samples for the new one... I'm betting this is going to be just stellar!

Wow! Pretty impressive!

I'm not really as into the 'straight up' Black Metal style. I'm more of a sucker for the Symphonic Black Metal stuff ala Cradle of Filth, Emperor, etc.

But having said that ... I think your music is AWESOME if straight up Black Metal is your thing. I have several local friends that I will let them know about you (they are Mormon, but they listen to Christian Metal too, they believe in the same Jesus that we do. I'd love to invite them to this board, but realizing the persecution I received just for being an Evangelical Christian vs. a Fundamentalist - I would never want them to feel such attack. I can only imagine how some of the folks here would tear into a Mormon like ravening Fundamentalist wolves) I think they'd really like this though. So I will tell them about it and give them the link!



Your stuff really reminds me of Darkthrone.

For some reason, I never could get into bands like Darkthrone, Mayhem, Marduk, etc - straight up Black Metal stuff. Too stark I think.


But please don't take me the wrong way ... you are my friend, and I want to be honest with you upfront.  I'm proud of your work - even though it's not exactly my cup of tea. Make sense?

I might hit you up for a price to digitally download all three of your releases if that is okay.

RavenWolf wrote:I'd love to invite them to this board, but realizing the persecution I received just for being an Evangelical Christian vs. a Fundamentalist - I would never want them to feel such attack. I can only imagine how some of the folks here would tear into a Mormon like ravening Fundamentalist wolves)

Easy now...  IMO you should be more careful with regards to throwing the "fundamentalist" accusation around to anyone with more conservative beliefs than you do - particularly towards longtime members of this board.  And as I recall, the "persecution" you received was not directed at you but rather towards a certain highly-controversial pastor of whose teachings you subscribe to.  I think most of the folks who disagreed with you would also consider themselves to be Evangelical Christians and from the research I've done, the majority of Evangelical Christians today do indeed believe that pastor's teachings to not be biblical.  And I don't believe all of them to be "fundamentalists."

It's this impossible balancing act of political correctness/accepting everyone and lovingly correcting a brother in Christ of incorrect theology or sin (which we are called to do in God's Word) - all in the context of a vastly anonymous internet forum where users can easily hide safely behind their monitor with little-to-no real repercussions for their actions.  That being said, to my knowledge, after that thread ran its course I believe everyone's been pretty friendly, welcoming, and not accusatory towards you.  Would you agree?  If yes, then I might suggest you treat them with the same respect and not stir the pot with posts like yours above.  If not, then I suggest you be the bigger man and not allow anyone to drag you down into needless argument (and then please let me or the other mods know if folks aren't being respectful and we'll handle things).

RavenWolf wrote:Wow! Pretty impressive!

I'm not really as into the 'straight up' Black Metal style. I'm more of a sucker for the Symphonic Black Metal stuff ala Cradle of Filth, Emperor, etc.

But having said that ... I think your music is AWESOME if straight up Black Metal is your thing. I have several local friends that I will let them know about you (they are Mormon, but they listen to Christian Metal too, they believe in the same Jesus that we do. I'd love to invite them to this board, but realizing the persecution I received just for being an Evangelical Christian vs. a Fundamentalist - I would never want them to feel such attack. I can only imagine how some of the folks here would tear into a Mormon like ravening Fundamentalist wolves)  I think they'd really like this though. So I will tell them about it and give them the link!



Your stuff really reminds me of Darkthrone.

For some reason, I never could get into bands like Darkthrone, Mayhem, Marduk, etc - straight up Black Metal stuff. Too stark I think.


But please don't take me the wrong way ... you are my friend, and I want to be honest with you upfront.  I'm proud of your work - even though it's not exactly my cup of tea. Make sense?

With ALL due respect, brother RavenWolf........it's exceedingly poor form to decry a perceived "persecution" and then vilify folks using the "fundamentalist" tag as if it is an epithet.  Not cool at all, brother......not cool at all, and I'm going to kindly suggest you may wish to re-evaluate how you approach such things, because you bet your sweet bippy it's a two way street.

So anyway. Yay I made a new album and I'm happy about it!

And you should be.

Steve would be proud

Send the Mormons to The Blackest Light forum if they like Christian black metal. I don't think they would be treated poorly there (I'm not saying they would here but TBL just has less arguments, I'm not judging just pointing out a fact). This place is a lot better than it used to be though.

I haven't had intelligent conversations with Mormons in years and I'd love to talk to them even about their theology. There is much I don't know.

Anyway, Thomas has made what I predict is the best Orationem album yet. Can't wait to get it! I have a full day but I'm definitely ordering my copy tonight or tomorrow.

Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

The church I went to as a kid showed us videos on how dangerous Mormons were. Like they worship Joseph Smith, disbelieve in the Bible, all want to break the law and have multiple spouses, and believe in some celestial orgy on some planet after they die.

My mom's best friend is a Mormon and I cannot differentiate her beliefs from Christian ones. She doesn't believe any of the above, Jesus is her savior and she's constantly reading the Bible.

The moral of this story is, I think there's some people who are off, but labeling the whole denomination that way is nothing more than a good old fashioned stereotype.

I went to this pentecostal church one time in my 20's and they were rolling in the aisle, screaming, passed the offering plate around 9 times... I didn't stereotype and assume all pentecostal were that way. I went to another church of one of my friends, and it was an awesome service. Pretty good music too.

Ordered the new Orationem!!!

The core beliefs of Mormonism are pretty messed up (such as Jesus is the brother of Lucifer). But there are a lot of "peripheral" mormons that don't know any better, and are pretty much Christians.

Now back to our program.

Deepfriar wrote:Ordered the new Orationem!!!

Check your e-mail bro. :B

Guest wrote:I might hit you up for a price to digitally download all three of your releases if that is okay.

Sure man. Shoot me a bid. Unless you deleted your account, then you can e-mail me. (contact info on orationem.com)
...unless you're not reading this then, hello?

deathisgain wrote:The core beliefs of Mormonism are pretty messed up (such as Jesus is the brother of Lucifer). But there are a lot of "peripheral" mormons that don't know any better, and are pretty much Christians.

Now back to our program.

I can't speak for what it was like decades ago, but this day and age, its the really the opposite of what you're describing.
(ie: the "peripheral" ones try to have 37 wives who are 11 years old and give reach-arounds to the ghost of Joseph Smith)

A German version of the Orationem "Pure Peace and Joy, Love and Kindness" release is now available! Unlike the US version which has on-disc printing and a two panel insert, this is "professionally pressed", including a 4 panel insert with lyrics and artwork.



The version of the release is available at the No Sleep Till Megiddo Store!

No Sleep Till Megiddo's YouTube channel also uploaded the song "Beauty in Your Creation" if you guys want to check out an entire track.

This album is amazing. Best new USBM I've heard in a long while. Definitely worth the price of admission!

ThomasEversole wrote:The church I went to as a kid showed us videos on how dangerous Mormons were. Like they worship Joseph Smith, disbelieve in the Bible, all want to break the law and have multiple spouses, and believe in some celestial orgy on some planet after they die.

My mom's best friend is a Mormon and I cannot differentiate her beliefs from Christian ones. She doesn't believe any of the above, Jesus is her savior and she's constantly reading the Bible.

The moral of this story is, I think there's some people who are off, but labeling the whole denomination that way is nothing more than a good old fashioned stereotype.

I personally would ask her this - what then is the point of being a member of the LDS if you reject what the LDS prophets  have taught about God, salvation, etc throughout its history.


I have talked to a lot of LDS, and you really have to scale the language barrier with them to get anywhere in a conversation. They pour  many different meanings into many different theological topics that Evangelical Christians do.

....but in regards to your art..... I will give it a good checking out.

I don't listen too a whole lot of black metal these days, but this doesn't sound bad. I guess when I do, I like my BM more along the lines of Satyricon or Melechesh. But I haven't found any Christian BM that sound like them.

Deepfriar wrote:This album is amazing. Best new USBM I've heard in a long while. Definitely worth the price of admission!

Thanks man. For it being black metal from the US, how do you think it stacks up with the European models?

sentient 6 wrote:I don't listen too a whole lot of black metal these days, but this doesn't sound bad. I guess when I do, I like my BM more along the lines of Satyricon or Melechesh. But I haven't found any Christian BM that sound like them.

I'll take a "this doesn't sound bad" as a compliment.

Melechesh are one of a kind. I used to have all their stuff (at the time). Djinn was my favorite.

And Thomas, Western BM and Scandinavian BM sound very different to me and I really hate to compare. When you say "stack up" I realize that I wasn't very clear: I wasn't implying that Scandinavian BM is superior. What I meant was that USBM sounds so different from Scandinavian for me that I'd almost list it as a different category, and in that category Orationem is easily one of the top projects in my opinion. USBM has always sounded a bit more atmospheric to me, and Orationem is not shy of atmosphere. Love it!

HAHA! Awesome!
Thank you,

Never thought I would wear a white shirt, but this looks pretty good and I would wear this.



Click on the pic to see a larger version of it. They're for sale at the Orationem shop from small to XXX large.
Shirts are $15 unless you go with XX ($16) or XXX ($17) large.

Thank you for your attention guys!