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NOVOY ZAVET β APOCALYPSE
IN STOCK β LIMITED EDITION STORMSPELL RECORDS CD!
Cult Russian Orthodox Christian heavy/doom metal, recorded in 1993 and finally issued on CD in 2009!
πΏ Release Details
Artist: Novoy Zavet (ΠΠΎΠ²ΡΠΉ ΠΠ°Π²Π΅Ρ / New Testament)
Album: Apocalypse
Label: Stormspell Records
Catalog Number: SSR-DY32
Format: CD, Album, Reissue, Remastered
Edition: Limited Edition β 1,000 Hand-Numbered Copies
Country of Release: USA
Release Date: September 9, 2009
Original Recording: 1993
Genre: Christian Doom Metal / Heavy Metal / Power Metal
Language: English
Tracks: 8
Remastering: Igor Samoylov
UPC: 021374220320
Availability: IN STOCK
π₯ Key Features & Collector Details
- LIMITED TO JUST 1,000 HAND-NUMBERED CDs!
- Cult Russian Orthodox Christian heavy/doom metal from the former Soviet Union
- Originally recorded in 1993, but not officially released on CD until this 2009 Stormspell edition
- Obscure early 1990s metal combining traditional heavy metal, power/thrash influences, and epic doom
- Slow, crushing riffs, powerful melodies, atmospheric keyboards, and dramatic vocal performances
- English-language vocals with a distinctive Russian accent that gives the recording an unmistakable character
- Christian themes expressed through dark, apocalyptic imagery and heavy metal songwriting
- Remastered by Igor Samoylov for improved clarity and impact
- Eight tracks of atmospheric, doom-laden underground metal
- Features vocalist and principal songwriter Slava Gorbachev
- New front cover artwork by Uwe Jarling
- Original front cover artwork by Vladislav Provotorov
- Booklet design by Mumintroll
- English translation credited to Willy Graff
- A fascinating discovery for collectors of obscure international Christian metal
- For Fans Of: Trouble, Mercy, Solitude Aeturnus, Count Raven, Black Sabbath, Memory Garden, Candlemass
πΈ About the Album
Novoy Zavet β Apocalypse (1993 / 2009)
Every so often, an album emerges from the forgotten corners of heavy metal history that leaves collectors wondering how something this remarkable managed to remain so obscure. Novoy Zavet's Apocalypse is precisely that kind of recordingβa dark, atmospheric, and deeply unusual work of Russian Orthodox Christian heavy metal with powerful doom metal influences.
The band's name, Novoy Zavet (ΠΠΎΠ²ΡΠΉ ΠΠ°Π²Π΅Ρ), translates to "New Testament." Emerging from the former Soviet Union, the group developed a sound that brought together traditional heavy metal, power/thrash elements, and the slow, monumental atmosphere of classic doom. The result is music that feels simultaneously familiar and unlike almost anything else from the period.
Recorded in 1993, Apocalypse was created during a fascinating period of cultural and musical transition following the collapse of the Soviet Union. While Western heavy metal had already established its major movements, musicians in Russia and the surrounding region were developing their own interpretations of those sounds, often under circumstances very different from those experienced by bands in Europe and North America.
Novoy Zavet drew from the massive guitar tones, dramatic arrangements, and haunting atmosphere associated with bands like Black Sabbath, Trouble, Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and Count Raven. Yet the band added its own personality through unusual melodic turns, atmospheric keyboards, intense performances, and a distinctly Eastern European sensibility.
One of the album's most memorable characteristics is its English-language vocal performance. The lyrics are delivered with heavily accented, sometimes unconventional English, giving the recordings an unusual charm and personality. Rather than detracting from the music, this quality contributes to the album's haunting and almost otherworldly atmosphere.
The album's Christian identity is another distinctive element. Where many doom metal bands explore despair, occult imagery, or nihilism, Novoy Zavet approaches dark and apocalyptic themes through an Orthodox Christian perspective. The result is not conventional praise music or polished Christian hard rock. Instead, these songs inhabit a shadowy musical world of spiritual conflict, judgment, mortality, and religious imagery.
From the opening "Intro" and the imposing "Legions of Death" to "Night of the Last Pain," "The Number of the Death," and "Men of Fire," the album unfolds with the weight and atmosphere expected of classic epic doom metal. "Werewolfs" continues the journey before the title track, "Apocalypse," and the closing "Decline of Zarathustra" complete this eight-song collection.
Although recorded in 1993, Apocalypse did not receive an official CD release until Stormspell Records issued this edition on September 9, 2009. The label gave the recording the archival treatment it deserved, making a long-obscure album available to collectors outside its original underground audience.
For this edition, the audio was remastered by Igor Samoylov, bringing greater clarity and presence to the original recordings while preserving their unmistakable early 1990s character. Stormspell also commissioned new front cover artwork by Uwe Jarling, with the original artwork credited to Vladislav Provotorov. Booklet design was handled by Mumintroll.
Perhaps most importantly for collectors, this Stormspell Records edition was strictly limited to 1,000 individually hand-numbered copies. It is a physical document of a particularly unusual chapter in the history of Christian heavy metal, combining the sound of the international doom underground with the religious and cultural identity of musicians working in post-Soviet Russia.
If you enjoy discovering obscure recordings that offer something beyond the familiar names of the genre, Apocalypse is well worth exploring. Its unconventional vocal delivery, enormous guitar sound, atmospheric keyboards, and striking Christian themes make it an unusual and memorable addition to any collection of traditional doom and heavy metal.
For Fans Of: Trouble, Mercy, Solitude Aeturnus, Count Raven, Black Sabbath, Memory Garden, and Candlemass. For collectors of rare Christian doom metal, Novoy Zavet's Apocalypse is an especially intriguing discovery.
π€ Band Personnel & Production Credits
Slava Gorbachev β Vocals, Lyrics, Music (Tracks 1β7)
Alexander Lvov β Guitar
Sergey Skripnikov β Bass
Alexander Medovkin β Drums
Alexander Dronov β Keyboards
Arrangements: Novoy Zavet
Engineering: Alexander Kuzmichev
Remastering: Igor Samoylov
New Front Cover Artwork: Uwe Jarling
Original Front Cover Artwork: Vladislav Provotorov
Booklet Design: Mumintroll
English Translation: Willy Graff
Track 8 Music: Alexander Lvov and Slava Gorbachev
π Recording & Release History
1993 β Original Recording
Apocalypse was recorded by Novoy Zavet during the early post-Soviet era, capturing the band's distinctive blend of Christian heavy metal, power metal, and epic doom.
2009 β Stormspell Records CD Edition
The album received its official CD release through Stormspell Records, with audio remastering by Igor Samoylov and updated artwork and packaging.
Collector Edition
Limited to 1,000 hand-numbered copies. Catalog number SSR-DY32.
βΆοΈ Listen to Novoy Zavet β Apocalypse
π΅ Complete Tracklist
- Intro β 1:01
- Legions of Death β 5:52
- Night of the Last Pain β 6:01
- The Number of the Death β 5:38
- Men of Fire β 5:27
- Werewolfs β 4:06
- Apocalypse β 5:39
- Decline of Zarathustra β 5:08
Track Titles: Intro / Legions of Death / Night of the Last Pain / The Number of the Death / Men of Fire / Werewolfs / Apocalypse / Decline of Zarathustra
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