{"title":"Diabolical Masquerade","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA one-man black metal side project of Katatonia guitarist Anders Nyström (aka Blackheim\/Blakkheim), Diabolical Masquerade was active until September 2004. Known for their unique blend of atmospheric and symphonic elements, the band's music is characterized by haunting melodies, aggressive guitar riffs, and intense vocals. Drawing inspiration from various genres including black metal, progressive rock, and classical music, Diabolical Masquerade created a sound that was both dark and captivating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring their active years, Diabolical Masquerade released several albums that showcased their musical versatility and creativity. Their compositions often featured intricate arrangements and complex song structures, pushing the boundaries of traditional black metal. The band's ability to seamlessly blend different styles made them stand out in the genre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eInfluenced by bands such as Arcturus, Solefald, Sigh, and Emperor among others, Diabolical Masquerade left a lasting impact on the black metal scene. While they may no longer be actively creating music together, their legacy lives on through their discography which continues to inspire fans and musicians alike.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ravendusk-in-my-heart","title":"Ravendusk In My Heart","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKatatonia\u003c\/strong\u003e mastermind Anders Blackheim Nyström presents his 1996 debut album of atmospheric black metal, \"Ravendusk in My Heart\", on special blood red vinyl for the first time on Peaceville.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA work of considerable depth and power, Metal Archives describes the album as a startling debut of fantastic imagery, shaped by accomplished atmospherics mixed with cold black metal, recalling the early works of Emperor. The album brings to life deeply imaginative tales of fantasy from Blackheim's realm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe debut album from his symphonic extreme metal solo-project, Diabolical Masquerade, launched onto the scene in 1996 with \"Ravendusk in My Heart\". Three further albums were subsequently released in a prolific period of creativity before the project was finally laid to rest after the release of 'Death's Design' in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Ravendusk in my Heart' was recorded at the famous Unisound Studio in September 1995, produced by Dan Swanö \u0026amp; Blackheim, and mixed by Swanö (known for his work with Opeth, Dissection, Marduk). This LP edition of the album is presented on special 180gram blood red vinyl in single sleeve packaging complete with a printed inner bag featuring lyrics.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50384959668555,"sku":"2017985","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50384959832395,"sku":"2017990","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_557ca57f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726306240"},{"product_id":"the-phantom-lodge","title":"The Phantom Lodge","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe second album of epic, symphonic black metal from Katatonia's Anders 'Blackheim' Nystr?m. Now available on vinyl for the first time.  Diabolical Masquerade was the solo-project created by Katatonia mastermind Anders 'Blackheim' Nystr?m in 1996, to let off more creative steam away from the gothic\/doom metal styling of his main band, Katatonia. 'The Phantom Lodge' was the second of four albums from this symphonic extreme metal solo-project (before the band was ended in September 2004), and was originally released in 1997.  Diabolical Masquerade was based primarily around symphonic\/melodic black metal. Strong atmospheres were created through layered guitar and keyboards (and notably, flute, on this album), and Blackheim's compositions contained more up tempo and extreme elements than those of Katatonia, with cold, dark riffs with a firm emphasis on mood, given life with strong fantasy-based lyrics.  'The Phantom Lodge' was a natural progression from debut album 'Ravendusk in my Heart'; delving further into the realm of experimentation of ideas and atmospherics. The album was recorded at Unisound, September 1996 and was produced and mixed by Dan Swano (Opeth, Marduk, Dissection) and Blackheim.  This edition of 'The Phantom Lodge' is presented on 180gm heavyweight black vinyl with upgraded sleeve content \u0026amp; is released on vinyl for the very first time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50465920844107,"sku":"2018226","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_16db3994_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727299179"},{"product_id":"nightwork","title":"Nightwork","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiabolical Masquerade\u003c\/strong\u003e was the solo-project created by Katatonia's Anders 'Blakkheim' Nyström in 1996, to let off more creative steam away from the gothic\/doom metal styling of Katatonia. Diabolical Masquerade released 4 albums in total, before Blakkheim laid the project to rest in 2004.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNightwork\u003c\/em\u003e was the third album by \u003cstrong\u003eDiabolical Masquerade\u003c\/strong\u003e. It was recorded at The Sanctuary in April 1998 and saw a release later that year. The album was produced by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia) and Blakkheim. Although a solo-project, Blakkheim enlisted the help of Dan Swanö to perform the drums, as well as contributing with some keyboards and backing vocals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiabolical Masquerade\u003c\/strong\u003e was based primarily around symphonic\/melodic black metal; creating eerie atmospheres through keyboards and utilizing more high energy and technical compositions than those of his main band, with complex patterns of riffs and hooks. This particular album saw a greater integration of synths than previously, to convey a strong horror theme. To further expand this atmosphere, cello and flute were also incorporated.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50474824597835,"sku":"1122649","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/fb3c21ba-6701-4914-9909-1486ae42d09a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727438843"},{"product_id":"death-s-design","title":"Death's Design","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom Katatonia mastermind \u003cstrong\u003eAnders Blakkheim Nyström\u003c\/strong\u003e, Peaceville presents the fourth and final album from his symphonic extreme metal solo-project, \u003cem\u003eDiabolical Masquerade\u003c\/em\u003e, which launched onto the scene in 1996 with the release of debut album \u003cem\u003eRavendusk in My Heart\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeaths Design\u003c\/em\u003e was first released in 2001 when it was speculated that the album was originally to appear as an actual movie soundtrack before the film was unfortunately cancelled. Past guest musician \u003cstrong\u003eDan Swanö\u003c\/strong\u003e featured alongside \u003cstrong\u003eBlakkheim\u003c\/strong\u003e as a more prominent and involved contributor to this black metal horror soundtrack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe album is draped in dark atmosphere courtesy of the synth and sound effects throughout and taken even further with the inclusion of the Maalten quartet (Estonia), making for a more orchestral and epic experience, mixed with black and traditional metal influences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe album consists of 61 seamlessly flowing segments, grouped into 20 movements, recalling the finely-honed execution and composition of acts such as Emperor. \u003cem\u003eDeaths Design\u003c\/em\u003e is hailed as a high-point in the band's discography, and the pinnacle of the \u003cem\u003eDiabolical Masquerade\u003c\/em\u003e saga, before \u003cstrong\u003eBlakkheim\u003c\/strong\u003e called it a day and disbanded in September 2004.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50526997643595,"sku":"1122653","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ef9d1db0-a0b9-4d71-bc58-efb752079fec_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728050378"},{"product_id":"deaths-design","title":"Death's Design","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e THE FOURTH AND FINAL ALBUM OF SYMPHONIC EXTREME METAL FROM 2001, FROM KATATONIA MASTERMIND ANDERS NYSTR?M  PRESENTED ON LIMITED CLEAR VINYL AS THE FIRST REPRESSING SINCE THE ORIGINAL 2001 RELEASE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e From Katatonia mastermind Anders ?Blakkheim? Nystr?m, Peaceville presents the fourth and final album from his symphonic extreme metal solo-project, Diabolical Masquerade, which launched onto the scene in 1996 with the release of debut album ?Ravendusk in My Heart?. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e ?Death?s Design? was first released in 2001 when it was speculated that the album was originally to appear as an actual movie soundtrack before the film was unfortunately cancelled. Past guest musician Dan Swan? featured alongside Blakkheim as a more prominent and involved contributor to this black metal horror soundtrack. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e The album is draped in dark atmosphere courtesy of the synth and sound effects throughout and taken even further with the inclusion of the Maalten quartet (Estonia), making for a more orchestral and epic experience, mixed with black and traditional metal influences. The album consists of 61 seamlessly flowing segments, grouped into 20 movements \u0026amp; recalling the finely-honed execution and composition of acts such as Emperor. \u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e ?Death?s Design? is hailed as a high-point in the band?s discography, and the pinnacle of the Diabolical Masquerade saga, before Blakkheim called it a day and disbanded in September 2004. Artwork appears courtesy of Travis Smith. This edition of 'Death's Design' is presented on 180gm clear vinyl in single sleeve packaging complete with a printed inner bag.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Peaceville","offers":[{"title":"Clear LP","offer_id":50901264892235,"sku":"2017555","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_ceecc878_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1732760075"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/diabolical-masquerade.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}