Assassins: Black Meddle, Part I: Difference between revisions

Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
Studio album by Nachtmystium
Released	June 10, 2008
Recorded	December 2007 at Volume Studios
Genre	Black metal, psychedelic rock, progressive metal, black 'n' roll
Length	45:05
Label	Century Media
Producer	Nachtmystium, Chris Black & Sanford Parker
Nachtmystium chronology

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 15:54, 11 May 2023

Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1 is the fourth full-length album by American band Nachtmystium. It was released via Century Media Records in the United States on June 10, 2008, and by Candlelight Records in Europe on June 23, 2008.^[1] The record was recorded in December 2007 at Sanford Parker's Volume Studios. The album contains such experimental musical flirtations as saxophones and other non-black metal musical "meddling".^[2]

Background

Blake Judd, the band's co-founder and front-man wanted to create an album that focused on experimental and progressive metal with a black metal influence. Assassins was intended to be the band's departure from the traditional black metal genre. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Judd, the band's founder, claims the idea for the album's name came from his desire to reestablish Nachtmystium's image in the music community. He states, "The idea of 'Assassins' is that an assassin kills, gets rid of or destroys something. It's not directly about us. We want to assassinate all these preconceived notions about where the metal community feels we belong in music and want to do our own thing. And what we do is black meddle."^[2] The album's subtitle itself incorporates the title of Pink Floyd's 1971 breakthrough album Meddle, while the album's opening track, "One of These Nights", is a homage to the Meddle's "One of These Days".^[3]

Judd recruited producer Sanford Parker to lead the album's production and audio engineering, and veteran drummer Tony Laureano. Other guest artists were featured on the album, including Bruce Lamount of Yakuza, who provided a saxophone solo on the track “Oceanborn”. The band uploaded "Your True Enemy", a song from Assassins, onto their MySpace page in February 2008, and the title track "Assassins" in April 2008.^[4]

Daymare Recordings released a Japanese version of Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1 with bonus tracks on June 20, 2008.^[1]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Chris Black, except where noted; all music is composed by Blake Judd, except where noted

No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Length
1.	"One of These Nights"			1:50
2.	"Assassins"	Judd		8:07
3.	"Ghosts of Grace"	Black, Judd	Black, Judd	4:49
4.	"Away from the Light" (Instrumental)		Black	2:19
5.	"Your True Enemy"		Judd, Jeff Wilson	4:15
6.	"Code Negative"	Lord Imperial		6:48
7.	"Omnivore"		Judd, Wilson	5:05
8.	"Seasick (Part 1: Drowned at Dusk)"			4:52
9.	"Seasick (Part 2: Oceanborne)"			2:48
10.	"Seasick (Part 3: Silent Sunrise)"			4:12

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	^[5]
IGN	9/10^[6]
Pitchfork Media	8.9/10^[7]
PopMatters	^[8]

Assassins was generally met with positive critical reception. Music critics praised Nachtmysitum's experimental approach and innovative take on black metal. Carlos Ramirez of IGN gave Assassins a 9/10 rating, as well as an editors choice award.^[6] Ramirez later named Assassins on his list of "10 Great Black Metal Albums."^[9] Brent Burton of the Washington City Paper believed Assassins featured a more mature sound compared to Nachtmystium's other releases. He also praised the band for incorporating jazz and psychedelic elements into their black metal sound.^[10] KNAC echoed a similar sentiment, and gave the album an 'A'-rating. They described the album, stating, "Atop a raw, furious black metal foundation, Nachtmystium – whose earlier work was way more 'true Norwegian black metal'-inspired, a la Darkthrone – add a liberal helping of [progressive], psychedelia and classic rock, and bring it all together with organic, retro production to craft something utterly unique and pretty damn cool."^[11] Pitchfork Media lauded Assassins was one 2008's top releases, and gave it an 8.9 out of 10. Reviewer Brandon Stosuy claimed their sound to be "unique, powerful blend of 70s-drenched black'n'roll." He went on to further claim, "Assassins contains big, almost stadium-sized anthems, monumental drinking songs, gorgeous instrumental excursions, prog-metal, and solos that make you catch your breath".^[12] Noisecreep ranked the album number 10 in its Best Albums of the 2000s list, calling it "a dizzying union of psychedelic-rock atmospherics and black metal might".^[13]

However, Jon Caramanica of The New York Times considered Assassins to be "more pedestrian" in contrast to Nachtmystium's previous release, Instinct: Decay. He commented, "Most of the songs from the new album, especially “Ghosts of Grace,” were corrosive, dense and technically flamboyant. And Mr. Judd's growl was heavy, foregoing the lucidity he gave it on record."^[14]

Personnel

Nachtmystium

Blake Judd – lead guitars, lead vocals
Jeff Wilson – rhythm guitars
Zion Meagher – bass, backing vocals
Tony Laureano – drums, percussion

Additional musicians

Chris Black – keyboards, programming
Bruce Lamont – saxophone
Sanford Parker – moog synthesizer, keyboards, effects
Matt Johnsen – guest lead guitar on tracks 2, 8, 9, 10
Jeff Sealy – guest lead guitar on tracks 5, 6

Production

Produced by Sanford Parker and Nachtmystium
Engineered and mixed by Sanford Parker
Mastered by Collin Jordan

References

^ ^a ^b "Genghis Tron & Nachtmystium Part II". Youtube. Contraband Candy. June 16, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
^ ^a ^b Gendron, Bob (June 1, 2008). "Nachtmystium's new album". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008.
^ Bracelin, Jason (July 16, 2008). "This Year Proving Good for Your Ears". Las Vegas Review-Journal. .redorbit.com. Retrieved July 16, 2008.
^ Gibson, Doug (April 28, 2008). "Nachtmystium Posts New Song Online". metalunderground.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt.1 > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
^ ^a ^b Ramirez, Carlos (June 10, 2008). "Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle Pt.1 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.
^ "Nachtmystium Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1". Pitchfork Media Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
^ Begrand, Adrien (June 23, 2008). "Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1". PopMatters. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
^ Ramirez, Carlos (January 6, 2009). "10 Great Black Metal Albums". IGN. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
^ Burton, Brent (June 25, 2008). "Metal Defectors". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2008.
^ Atkinson, Peter (July 23, 2008). "The Coroner Report Part II: 'True Norwegian Black Metal'". KNAC. Retrieved July 25, 2008.
^ Stosuy, Brandon (July 9, 2008). "Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 (Century Media/Candlelight; 2008)". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.
^ Ramirez, Carlos. "Best Albums of the 2000s". Noisecreep. Retrieved July 24, 2016.
^ Caramanica, Jon (December 9, 2008). "Dark Side of the Metal, Played Deep Into the Night". The New York Times. Retrieved December 17, 2008.

External links

[contra-1] "Genghis Tron & Nachtmystium Part II". Youtube. Contraband Candy. June 16, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2008.

[trib-2] Gendron, Bob (June 1, 2008). "Nachtmystium's new album". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 5, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2008.

[3] Bracelin, Jason (July 16, 2008). "This Year Proving Good for Your Ears". Las Vegas Review-Journal. .redorbit.com. Retrieved July 16, 2008.

[4] Gibson, Doug (April 28, 2008). "Nachtmystium Posts New Song Online". metalunderground.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved June 18, 2008.

[5] Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt.1 > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved May 3, 2010.

[IGN-6] Ramirez, Carlos (June 10, 2008). "Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle Pt.1 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on June 13, 2008. Retrieved June 11, 2008.

[7] "Nachtmystium Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1". Pitchfork Media Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on April 18, 2010. Retrieved May 3, 2010.

[8] Begrand, Adrien (June 23, 2008). "Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1". PopMatters. Retrieved May 3, 2010.

[9] Ramirez, Carlos (January 6, 2009). "10 Great Black Metal Albums". IGN. p. 5. Archived from the original on January 18, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.

[10] Burton, Brent (June 25, 2008). "Metal Defectors". Washington City Paper. Archived from the original on July 1, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2008.

[11] Atkinson, Peter (July 23, 2008). "The Coroner Report Part II: 'True Norwegian Black Metal'". KNAC. Retrieved July 25, 2008.

[12] Stosuy, Brandon (July 9, 2008). "Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 (Century Media/Candlelight; 2008)". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on July 12, 2008. Retrieved July 11, 2008.

[13] Ramirez, Carlos. "Best Albums of the 2000s". Noisecreep. Retrieved July 24, 2016.

[14] Caramanica, Jon (December 9, 2008). "Dark Side of the Metal, Played Deep Into the Night". The New York Times. Retrieved December 17, 2008.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
-{{Infobox album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
+{{Infobox album|
-| Name        = Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
-| Type        = studio
+| name       = Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1
-| Artist      = [[Nachtmystium]]
+| type       = studio
-| Cover       = Nachtmystium - Assassins Black Meddle, Part 1.jpg
+| artist     = [[Nachtmystium]]
+| cover      = Nachtmystium - Assassins Black Meddle, Part 1.jpg
-| Released    = June 10, 2008
+| alt        =
+| released   = June 10, 2008
-| Recorded    = December 2007 at Volume Studios
+| recorded   = December 2007 at Volume Studios
-| Genre       = [[Black metal]], [[psychedelic rock]], [[stoner metal]], [[experimental rock]]
-| Length      = 45:05
+| venue      =
+| studio     =
-| Label       = [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]
+| genre      = [[Black metal]], [[psychedelic rock]], [[progressive metal]], [[black 'n' roll]]
-| Producer    = Nachtmystium, Chris Black & Sanford Parker
+| length     = 45:05
-| This album  = ''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1''<br>(2008)
+| label      = [[Century Media Records|Century Media]]
-| Last album  = ''[[Instinct: Decay]]''<br />(2006)
+| producer   = Nachtmystium, Chris Black & Sanford Parker
-| This album  = '''''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1'''''<br />(2008)
+| prev_title = [[Worldfall]]
-| Next album  = ''[[Addicts: Black Meddle, Part II]]''<br />(2010)
+| prev_year  = 2008
+| next_title = [[Addicts: Black Meddle, Part II]]
+| next_year  = 2010
 }}
-'''''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1''''' is the fourth full-length album by [[Chicago]] band [[Nachtmystium]]. It was released via [[Century Media Records]] in the [[United States]] on June 10, 2008, and by [[Candlelight Records]] in [[Europe]] on June 23, 2008.<ref name='contra'>{{cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title= Genghis Tron & Nachtmystium Part II | date=2008-06-16 | publisher=Contraband Candy | url =http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIATRl-xwsA | work =Youtube | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-18 | language = }}</ref> The record was recorded in December 2007 at [[Minsk (band)|Sanford Parker]]'s Volume Studios. The album contains such experimental musical flirtations as [[saxophone]]s and other non-[[black metal]] musical "meddling".<ref name="trib">{{cite news | first=Bob | last=Gendron | coauthors= | title=Nachtmystium's new album | date=2008-06-01 | publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] | url =http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-nachtmystium-0601jun01,0,4847672.story | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-03 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080605030849/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-nachtmystium-0601jun01,0,4847672.story?| archivedate= 5 June 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+'''''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1''''' is the fourth full-length album by American band [[Nachtmystium]]. It was released via [[Century Media Records]] in the United States on June 10, 2008, and by [[Candlelight Records]] in Europe on June 23, 2008.<ref name='contra'>{{cite news | title= Genghis Tron & Nachtmystium Part II | date=June 16, 2008 | publisher=Contraband Candy | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIATRl-xwsA | work =Youtube | accessdate = June 18, 2008 }}</ref> The record was recorded in December 2007 at [[Minsk (band)|Sanford Parker]]'s Volume Studios. The album contains such experimental musical flirtations as [[saxophone]]s and other non-[[black metal]] musical "meddling".<ref name="trib">{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Gendron |title=Nachtmystium's new album |date=June 1, 2008 |publisher=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-nachtmystium-0601jun01,0,4847672.story |accessdate=June 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080605030849/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/chi-nachtmystium-0601jun01%2C0%2C4847672.story |archive-date=June 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
+== Background ==
-The album's subtitle itself incorporates the title of [[Pink Floyd]]'s 1971 breakthrough album ''[[Meddle]]'', while the album's opening track, "One of These Nights", is a [[homage]] to the ''Meddle'''s "[[One of These Days (Pink Floyd song)|One of These Days]]".<ref>{{cite news | first=Jason | last=Bracelin | coauthors= | title=This Year Proving Good for Your Ears | date=2008-07-16 | publisher=.redorbit.com | url =http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1480266/this_year_proving_good_for_your_ears/ | work =Las Vegas Review-Journal | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-16 | language = }}</ref>
+[[Blake Judd]], the band's co-founder and front-man wanted to create an album that focused on experimental and progressive metal with a black metal influence. ''Assassins'' was intended to be the band's departure from the traditional black metal genre. In an interview with the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', Judd, the band's founder, claims the idea for the album's name came from his desire to reestablish Nachtmystium's image in the music community. He states, "The idea of 'Assassins' is that an assassin kills, gets rid of or destroys something. It's not directly about us. We want to assassinate all these preconceived notions about where the metal community feels we belong in music and want to do our own thing. And what we do is black meddle."<ref name="trib" /> The album's subtitle itself incorporates the title of [[Pink Floyd]]'s 1971 breakthrough album ''[[Meddle]]'', while the album's opening track, "One of These Nights", is a [[Homage (arts)|homage]] to the ''Meddle''{{'}}s "[[One of These Days (instrumental)|One of These Days]]".<ref>{{cite news | first=Jason | last=Bracelin | title=This Year Proving Good for Your Ears | date=July 16, 2008 | publisher=.redorbit.com | url =http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/1480266/this_year_proving_good_for_your_ears/ | work =Las Vegas Review-Journal | accessdate = July 16, 2008 }}</ref>
+Judd recruited producer Sanford Parker to lead the album's production and audio engineering, and veteran drummer [[Tony Laureano]]. Other guest artists were featured on the album, including Bruce Lamount of Yakuza, who provided a saxophone solo on the track “Oceanborn”. The band uploaded "Your True Enemy", a song from ''Assassins'', onto their [[MySpace]] page in February 2008, and the title track "Assassins" in April 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first=Doug | last=Gibson | title=Nachtmystium Posts New Song Online | date=April 28, 2008 | publisher=metalunderground.com | url =http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=36079 | accessdate = June 18, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080625022642/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=36079| archive-date= June 25, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>
-According to the ''Chicago Tribune'', [[Blake Judd]], the band's founder, claims the idea for the album's name came from his desire to reestablish Nachtmystium's image in the music community. He states, "The idea of 'Assassins' is that an assassin kills, gets rid of or destroys something. It's not directly about us. We want to assassinate all these preconceived notions about where the metal community feels we belong in music and want to do our own thing. And what we do is black meddle."<ref name="trib"/>
+[[Daymare Recordings]] released a Japanese version of ''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1'' with bonus tracks on June 20, 2008.<ref name="contra" />
-The band uploaded "Your True Enemy", a song from ''Assassins'', onto their [[MySpace]] page in February 2008, and the title track "Assassins" in April 2008.<ref>{{cite news | first=Doug | last=Gibson | coauthors= | title=Nachtmystium Posts New Song Online | date=2008-04-28 | publisher=metalunderground.com | url =http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=36079 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-18 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080625022642/http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=36079| archivedate= 25 June 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+== Track listing ==
-[[Daymare Recordings]] released a [[Japanese language|Japanese]] version of ''Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1'' with bonus tracks on June 20, 2008.<ref name="contra"/>
+{{track listing
-==Track listing==
-{{tracklist
 |all_writing =
 |all_lyrics = Chris Black, except where noted
 |all_music = Blake Judd, except where noted
-|writing_credits =
-|lyrics_credits = yes
-|music_credits = yes
 |title1=One of These Nights|length1=1:50
 |title2=Assassins |length2=8:07 |lyrics2=Judd
@@ Line 46: / Line 46: @@
 }}
-==Production==
+== Reception ==
+{{Music ratings
-*Produced by Sanford Parker & Nachtmystium
-*Engineered & Mixed by Sanford Parker
-*Mastered by Collin Jordan
-==Personnel==
-===Nachtmystium===
-*Blake Judd - lead guitars, vocals
-*Jeff Wilson - rhythm guitars
-*Zion Meagher - bass, backing vocals
-*Tony Laureano - drums, percussion
-===Additional Musicians===
-*Chris Black - keyboards, programming
-*Bruce Lamont - saxophone
-*Sanford Parker - [[moog synthesizer]], keyboards, effects
-*Matt Johnsen - guest [[lead guitar]] on tracks 2, 8, 9, 10
-*Jeff Sealy - guest lead guitar on tracks 5, 6
-==Reception==
-{{Prose|date=March 2009}}
-{{Album reviews
 |rev1=[[Allmusic]]
-|rev1score={{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r1385842|pure_url=yes}} |title=Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt.1 > Overview |first=Eduardo |last=Rivadavia |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>
+|rev1score={{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1385842|pure_url=yes}} |title=Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt.1 > Overview |first=Eduardo |last=Rivadavia |publisher=[[Allmusic]] |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>
-|rev2=[[Pitchfork Media]]
+|rev2=[[IGN]]
+|rev2Score=9/10<ref name="IGN" />
-|rev2score=(8.9/10)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11584-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1/ |title=Nachtmystium Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 |year=2008 |publisher=Pitchfork Media Inc. |accessdate=May 3, 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100418230604/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11584-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1/| archivedate= 18 April 2010 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
-|rev3=[[PopMatters]]
+|rev3=[[Pitchfork Media]]
-|rev3score={{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-part-1 |title=Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1 |first=Adrien |last=Begrand |date=June 23, 2008 |publisher=PopMatters |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>
+|rev3score=8.9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11584-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1/ |title=Nachtmystium Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 |year=2008 |publisher=Pitchfork Media Inc. |accessdate=May 3, 2010| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100418230604/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11584-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1/| archive-date= April 18, 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref>
+|rev4=[[PopMatters]]
+|rev4score={{Rating|8|10}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-part-1 |title=Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1 |first=Adrien |last=Begrand |date=June 23, 2008 |publisher=PopMatters |accessdate=May 3, 2010}}</ref>
 }}
-Carlos Ramirez of [[IGN]] gave ''Assassins'' a 9/10 rating, as well as an editors choice award.<ref>{{cite news | first=Carlos | last=Ramirez | coauthors= | title=Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle Pt.1 Review | date=2008-06-10 | publisher=[[IGN]] | url =http://music.ign.com/articles/880/880724p1.html | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-11 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080613090706/http://music.ign.com/articles/880/880724p1.html| archivedate= 13 June 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref> Ramirez later named ''Assassins'' on his list of  "10 Great Black Metal Albums."<ref>{{cite news | first=Carlos | last=Ramirez | coauthors= |authorlink= | title=10 Great Black Metal Albums | date=2009-01-06 | publisher=[[IGN]] | url =http://music.ign.com/articles/941/941881p5.html | work = | pages =5 | accessdate = 2009-01-15 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20090118151205/http://music.ign.com/articles/941/941881p5.html| archivedate= 18 January 2009 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+''Assassins'' was  generally met with positive critical reception. Music critics praised Nachtmysitum's experimental approach and innovative take on black metal. Carlos Ramirez of [[IGN]] gave ''Assassins'' a 9/10 rating, as well as an editors choice award.<ref name="IGN">{{cite news | first=Carlos | last=Ramirez | title=Nachtmystium – Assassins: Black Meddle Pt.1 Review | date=June 10, 2008 | publisher=[[IGN]] | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/880/880724p1.html | accessdate=June 11, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080613090706/http://music.ign.com/articles/880/880724p1.html | archive-date=June 13, 2008 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Ramirez later named ''Assassins'' on his list of  "10 Great Black Metal Albums."<ref>{{cite news | first=Carlos | last=Ramirez | title=10 Great Black Metal Albums | date=January 6, 2009 | publisher=[[IGN]] | url=http://music.ign.com/articles/941/941881p5.html | pages=5 | accessdate=January 15, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118151205/http://music.ign.com/articles/941/941881p5.html | archive-date=January 18, 2009 | url-status=dead }}</ref>  Brent Burton of the ''[[Washington City Paper]]'' believed ''Assassins'' featured a more mature sound compared to Nachtmystium's other releases. He also praised the band for incorporating jazz and psychedelic elements into their black metal sound.<ref>{{cite news | first=Brent | last=Burton | title=Metal Defectors | date=June 25, 2008 | url =http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=35803 | work =Washington City Paper | accessdate = June 30, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080701233613/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=35803| archive-date= July 1, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[KNAC]] echoed a similar sentiment, and gave the album an 'A'-rating. They described the album, stating, "Atop a raw, furious black metal foundation, Nachtmystium – whose earlier work was way more 'true Norwegian black metal'-inspired, a la [[Darkthrone]] – add a liberal helping of [progressive], psychedelia and classic rock, and bring it all together with organic, retro production to craft something utterly unique and pretty damn cool."<ref>{{cite news | first=Peter | last=Atkinson | title=The Coroner Report Part II: 'True Norwegian Black Metal'  | date=July 23, 2008 | publisher=[[KNAC]] | url =http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=6448 | accessdate = July 25, 2008 }}</ref> ''[[Pitchfork Media]]'' lauded ''Assassins'' was one 2008's top releases, and gave it an 8.9 out of 10. Reviewer Brandon Stosuy claimed their sound to be "unique, powerful blend of 70s-drenched black'n'roll."  He went on to further claim, "''Assassins'' contains big, almost stadium-sized anthems, monumental drinking songs, gorgeous instrumental excursions, prog-metal, and solos that make you catch your breath".<ref>{{cite news | first=Brandon | last=Stosuy | title= Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 (Century Media/Candlelight; 2008) | date=July 9, 2008 | url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51072-nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1 | work =Pitchfork | accessdate = July 11, 2008 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080712183622/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51072-nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1| archive-date= July 12, 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> [[Noisecreep]] ranked the album number 10 in its Best Albums of the 2000s list, calling it "a dizzying union of [[psychedelic rock|psychedelic-rock]] atmospherics and black metal might".<ref>{{cite web|first= Carlos |last= Ramirez |title= Best Albums of the 2000s |publisher= [[Noisecreep]] |url= http://noisecreep.com/best-albums-2000s/ |accessdate= July 24, 2016}}</ref>
-Andy O'Connor, a writer for ''[[The Daily Texan]]'' acknowledged the band's innovative approach, but claimed the album was compromised "by lack of direction and ill-fitting production."<ref>{{cite news | first=Andy | last=O'Connor | coauthors= | title=Sound Bites | date=2008-06-24 | publisher= | url =http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/200806/24/LifeArts/Sound.Bites-3384638.shtml | work =The Daily Texan | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-30 | language = }}</ref>
-Brent Burton of the ''[[Washington City Paper]]'' believed ''Assassins'' featured a more mature sound compared to Nachtmystium's other releases. He also praised the band for incorporating jazz and psychedelic elements into their black metal sound.<ref>{{cite news | first=Brent | last=Burton | coauthors= | title=Metal Defectors | date=2008-06-25 | publisher= | url =http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=35803 | work =Washington City Paper | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-30 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080701233613/http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/display.php?id=35803| archivedate= 1 July 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+However, Jon Caramanica of ''[[The New York Times]]'' considered ''Assassins'' to be "more pedestrian" in contrast to Nachtmystium's previous release, ''[[Instinct: Decay]]''.  He commented, "Most of the songs from the new album, especially “Ghosts of Grace,” were corrosive, dense and technically flamboyant. And Mr. Judd's growl was heavy, foregoing the lucidity he gave it on record."<ref>{{cite news | first=Jon | last=Caramanica | title=Dark Side of the Metal, Played Deep Into the Night | date=December 9, 2008 | work=The New York Times | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/arts/music/10nach.html?ref=music | accessdate = December 17, 2008 }}</ref>
+== Personnel ==
-''[[Pitchfork Media]]'' claimed ''Assassins'' was one 2008's top releases, and gave it an 8.9 out of 10. Reviewer Brandon Stosuy claimed their sound to be "unique, powerful blend of 70s-drenched black'n'roll."  He went on to further claim, "''Assassins'' contains big, almost stadium-sized anthems, monumental drinking songs, gorgeous instrumental excursions, prog-metal, and solos that make you catch your breath".<ref>{{cite news | first=Brandon | last=Stosuy | coauthors= | title= Nachtmystium: Assassins: Black Meddle, Pt. 1 (Century Media/Candlelight; 2008) | date=2008-07-09 | publisher= | url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51072-nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1 | work =Pitchfork | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-11 | language = | archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080712183622/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/51072-nachtmystium-assassins-black-meddle-pt-1| archivedate= 12 July 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| deadurl= no}}</ref>
+=== Nachtmystium ===
-[[KNAC]] gave the album an 'A'-rating. They described the album, stating, "Atop a raw, furious black metal foundation, Nachtmystium - whose earlier work was way more 'true Norwegian black metal'-inspired, a la [[Darkthrone]] - add a liberal helping of [progressive], psychedelia and classic rock, and bring it all together with organic, retro production to craft something utterly unique and pretty damn cool."<ref>{{cite news | first=Peter | last=Atkinson | coauthors= | title=The Coroner Report Part II: ‘True Norwegian Black Metal’  | date=2008-07-23 | publisher=[[KNAC]] | url =http://knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=6448 | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-07-25 | language = }}</ref>
+*Blake Judd – lead guitars, lead vocals
+*Jeff Wilson – rhythm guitars
+*Zion Meagher – bass, backing vocals
+*Tony Laureano – drums, percussion
+=== Additional musicians ===
-Jon Caramanica of the ''[[New York Times]]'' considered ''Assassins'' to be "more pedestrian" in contrast to Nachtmystium's previous release, ''[[Instinct: Decay]]''.  He commented, "Most of the songs from the new album, especially “Ghosts of Grace,” were corrosive, dense and technically flamboyant. And Mr. Judd’s growl was heavy, foregoing the lucidity he gave it on record."<ref>{{cite news | first=Jon | last=Caramanica | coauthors= |authorlink= | title=Dark Side of the Metal, Played Deep Into the Night | date=2008-12-09 | publisher=''[[New York Times]]'' | url =http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/arts/music/10nach.html?ref=music | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-12-17 | language = }}</ref>
+*Chris Black – keyboards, programming
+*Bruce Lamont – saxophone
+*Sanford Parker – [[moog synthesizer]], keyboards, effects
+*Matt Johnsen – guest [[lead guitar]] on tracks 2, 8, 9, 10
+*Jeff Sealy – guest lead guitar on tracks 5, 6
-==References==
+=== Production ===
+*Produced by Sanford Parker and Nachtmystium
+*Engineered and mixed by Sanford Parker
+*Mastered by Collin Jordan
+== References ==
 {{Reflist}}
-==External links==
+== External links ==
-* [http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/in-the-studio/nachtmystium/ Making Of Video Feature]
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080702181747/http://blogs.guitarworld.com/metalkult/in-the-studio/nachtmystium/ Making Of Video Feature]
 * [https://www.myspace.com/nachtmystium Nachtmystium MySpace Homepage]
 * [http://www.discogs.com/Nachtmystium-Assassins-Black-Meddle-Part-1/release/1503328 "Assassins: Black Meddle, Part 1" at discogs]
 {{Nachtmystium}}
+{{Authority control}}
 [[Category:Nachtmystium albums]]

v t e Nachtmystium
Blake Judd Sam Shroyer John Porada Charlie Fell Will Lindsay Andrew "Aamonael" Markuszewski Sanford Parker Reid Raley Jeff Wilson John Necromancer Zack Simmons Bob Fouts Chris Black Matt Block Marcus Kolar Markus Launsburry Tony Laureano Sanford Parker Kriglord Zion Meagher Noctis David Swanson Zmij Martin von Falkenstein Austin Pumphrey Jean-Michael Graffio Phenex
Studio albums	Reign of the Malicious (2002) Demise (2004) Instinct: Decay (2006) Assassins: Black Meddle, Part I (2008) Addicts: Black Meddle, Part II (2010) Silencing Machine (2012) The World We Left Behind (2014)
EPs	Nachtmystium (2003) Eulogy IV (2004) Worldfall (2008)