Biophobia

[Eoin McLove]

Biophobia were a Bulgarian BM band operating in the 90s and their 96 album'The Holy Office' was reissued on vinyl last year by Zombi Danz Records. I received my copy today and it's a winner. I'm on my second spin through now and I think they captured something unique, even if there are obvious nods to Scandinavian BM all over it. The obvious influence to me is Emperor with the prominent keys, fizzy guitar tone and harsh vocals, but the guitar playing is perhaps a bit less developed than that, relying more on typically heavy metal and death metal techniques giving it a more chunky feel. That said, the dude can really play and he throws in some razor sharp solos that sometimes merge with the spacey keys. Some nice clanky bass here and there too, bringing to mind Mortuary Drape or the like. What can I say, its absolutely hitting the spot for me right now. No doubt some of the older heads here will be familiar from ye olde taype trayding dayz. Well worth a sniff for anyone else who, like me, might be a bit fed up by the current state of BM and is looking for oddball gems from the past.

https://youtu.be/Nx1tmC4VkTU

[mickO)))]

Only ever heard You Are God, You Are Nothing about 10 years ago which I really liked. Had been thinking about ordering this LP for a while but with the amount of new releases and represses coming out now combined with the sky prices a lot of labels are putting on new vinyl these days I had to keep skipping buying the Holy office.

[Eoin McLove]

I bought it direct from the label along with the Regere Sinister/ Moonfall split LP and it came to €50 with postage to Oz, which I felt was reasonable.

'You Are God, You Are Nothing' sounds good too but lacks the keys which add a lot of character in my opinion. The death metal ferocity is more evident for that reason. The artwork is like a school project rip off of 'Bestial Devastation' 

[mickO)))]

This album in particular seemed to be reasonably priced it was just more of a general comment about the direction vinyl pricing is heading in along with the ever increasing postage costs. When you are paying too much for most releases then ones like this which I would like to own but is not a top priority are going to suffer.

I honestly think the you are god artwork would like great on an LP jacket it is simple but I think it gives a good indication of what the actual music sounds like.