IV:Malice, Necromantia - CD

Dijipac - Sealed

Necromantia – IV: Malice

Artist: Necromantia

Title: IV: Malice

Format: CD (Original Pressing)

Original Release Date: 2000

Label: Black Lotus Records (Catalog: BLR 003)

Genre: Black Metal / Hellenic Black Metal

Background & Production IV: Malice is the third full-length album from the Greek occult masters and marked a significant shift in their discography. After the departure of some long-term session members, The Magus and Baron Blood streamlined the band's sound, incorporating more symphonic elements and a "cleaner," more powerful production style compared to their early 90s output. Recorded at Sin Ena Studio, this album saw the band fully embrace the theatrical and epic side of black metal while maintaining their signature use of the 8-string bass in place of rhythm guitars.

Musical Composition & Style While still rooted in the Hellenic tradition, IV: Malice is notably more aggressive and technical than its predecessors.

• Orchestral Grandeur: The album features heavy use of keyboards and orchestral arrangements that create a cinematic "film score" atmosphere, particularly on tracks like "The Arcane Light of Nightstar."

• The "Bass" Dominance: Baron Blood’s 8-string bass work is more prominent than ever, providing a unique distortion profile that distinguishes Necromantia from the "wasp-buzz" guitar sound of the Norwegian scene.

• Key Tracks: "Murder, Magic and Music" and "Invictus" are standout examples of their ability to blend blast-beat intensity with mid-tempo, ritualistic grooves.

• Guest Appearance: The album features guest vocals by Mika Luttinen (Impaled Nazarene), adding a layer of savage intensity to the track "Murder, Magic and Music."

Original CD & Collector Notes The original 2000 release was the third catalog entry for the then-burgeoning Black Lotus Records, making it a key piece of Greek metal history.

• Identification: The original CD (BLR 003) features a high-quality, 12-page booklet with lyrics and eerie, stylized photography of the band.

• Packaging: Look for the Black Lotus Records logo on the spine and the disc face. Unlike their earlier Osmose releases, the production on this disc is much louder and more "modern" for the turn of the millennium.

• The "Metal Invader" Variant: Like many Greek metal releases of the era, a version was also distributed via Metal Invader magazine. However, the retail Black Lotus version remains the primary target for collectors due to the superior booklet and packaging.

• Artwork: The cover features a stark, blue-toned image of a winged demonic figure, a departure from the warmer, earth-toned covers of their 90s EPs.

• • Keywords: Necromantia, IV Malice, Original CD, 2000, Black Lotus Records, Greek Black Metal, The Magus, Baron Blood, Occult Metal, Rare Metal CD.

  • Collection Ideas: Hellenic Black Metal Evolution, Black Lotus Records Discography, Orchestral Black Metal, Rare Greek Imports.

  • Related Artists: Rotting Christ, Septicflesh, Nightfall, Varathron, Impaled Nazarene.

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