Crossing The Fiery Path, Necromantia - CD

Dijipac - Sealed

Necromantia – Crossing the Fiery Path

Artist: Necromantia

Title: Crossing the Fiery Path

Format: CD (Original Pressing)

Original Release Date: 1993

Label: Osmose Productions (Catalog: OPCD 015)

Genre: Black Metal / Hellenic Black Metal

Background & Production Crossing the Fiery Path is the debut full-length album from Necromantia and a foundational pillar of the Greek black metal sound. Alongside Rotting Christ’s Thy Mighty Contract, this album defined the "Hellenic" style—prioritizing occult atmosphere, mid-tempo grooves, and melodicism over the raw, freezing blast-beats of the Norwegian scene. Recorded at Sin Ena Studio in Athens, the album is famous for its unique instrumentation: the band famously used two 8-string basses (one for melody/leads and one for rhythm) instead of standard electric guitars, creating a thick, ritualistic, and cavernous sound that remains unique in the genre.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a sophisticated mix of aggressive black metal, dark ambient, and neoclassical elements.

• The Sound: Characterized by "Baron Blood’s" incredible bass work, which provides both the crushing low-end and the soaring, distorted leads usually reserved for guitars.

• Key Tracks: "The Vampire Lord Speaks" and "Lord of the Abyss" are quintessential Hellenic black metal, featuring theatrical vocal deliveries and slow-building, sinister arrangements.

• Atmospheric Interludes: Tracks like "The Warlock" feature keyboards, saxophones, and flutes, leaning into a progressive/avant-garde territory that was very advanced for 1993.

• Lyrical Themes: Deeply rooted in the occult, vampirism, and ancient mythology, delivered by The Magus in a distinct, commanding rasp.

Original CD & Collector Notes As one of the early releases on the legendary Osmose Productions, the original CD is a "holy grail" for black metal collectors.

• Identification: The original 1993 pressing (OPCD 015) comes in a standard jewel case.

• The "Grey Face" Disc: The original disc face is typically a muted grey/silver with black text and the Osmose logo.

• Matrix Info: Look for the matrix code OPCD 015 12 or similar, often with a MASTERED BY DADC AUSTRIA stamp in the hub.

• Artwork: The cover features a classic, grim illustration by Panos Sounas, depicting a ritualistic scene that perfectly matches the "Fiery Path" theme.

• 2002 Reissue: Note that Osmose reissued this in 2002 with a different layout and a "remastered" sound. The 1993 original is significantly more valuable due to its uncompressed, authentic 90s dynamic range.

• • Keywords: Necromantia, Crossing the Fiery Path, Original CD, 1993, Osmose Productions, Greek Black Metal, Hellenic Black Metal, The Magus, Baron Blood, Rare Black Metal.

  • Collection Ideas: 90s Black Metal First Pressings, Hellenic Metal Foundations, Osmose Productions Classics, Cult Occult Metal.

  • Related Artists: Rotting Christ, Varathron, Thou Art Lord, Zemial, Mortuary Drape.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve