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1.  For the Love of Satan
2.  Hell Fire
3.  Metal From Hell
4.  Witches Return
5.  Cauldron of the Ancients
6.  Nightside of Eden
7.  Ecliptic Equinox
8.  H.E.L.L.
9.  Satanic Grimoire
10.  The Cursing “Vampyric Evil-Eye”
11.  Dark Priest “Lord Ahriman”
12.  Convictions

Total playing time:  70:37

Release Date:  November 21, 2011
Label: Moribund Cult Records

Satan's Host - Celebration: For the Love of Satan

Reviewer: Rottenbucher

December 18, 2011

In honor of their 25 years of evil existence, Satan’s Host somehow found time to release their second album of 2011!  Celebration: For the Love of Satan features two new tracks bookending 10 re-recorded songs that appeared on their albums from 1986 to 2009.  While re-recordings are usually a contention among Metal fans, these versions have been tweaked and updated to better suit the range of Leviathan Thisiren (better known as Harry Conklin, ex- Jag Panzer). 

“For the Love of Satan” could have easily been included on By the Hands of the Devil. The song weaves a great sonic tapestry that would settle somewhere between Black and Power Metal and Thisiren’s vocals continue to dominate like they did on the previous disc. Next, the band revisits the 80s with “Hell Fire” and Metal From Hell.” The songs feature a much more NWOBHM-vibe than their 90s/00s Deathy Black Metal offerings.  While Thisiren originally appeared on these songs before his heyday with Jag Panzer, these updated versions actually find Thisiren sounding better. Some of the highs he hits on “Hell Fire” would chill King Diamond.  Musically, both songs are not only improved by the update in production, but have been expanded upon from their original versions to allow a bit more aggression and atmosphere. “Witches Return” starts off rather subtly before blossoming into a brutal Thrashy yet Melodic masterpiece.  Thisiren’s multilayer attack on the chorus will turn heads while guitarist Patrick Evil snarls out vicious proclamations during the song’s marching midsection.

The Doom-drenched crunch of “Cauldron of the Ancients” somehow gets heavier on this update.  While the lyrics will originally gutturally roared by former vocalilst L.C.F Elixir, Thisiren easily conveys the riff’s might and even tries on some snarls for size.  “Nightside of Eden” easily makes for the high point of Celebration. This update gives the song an epic atmosphere and much more room for Thisiren to belt out yet another stunning performance.  Evil’s riffs and melodic hooks pack more of a punch and the occasional clean picking and growling bass adds even more layers of bliss among the song’s brutality. The Doom-drenched moods continue on the hefty “Eclipitic Equinox” which originally appeared on 2004’s Burning the Born Again. Thisiren’s approach gives the song a majestic layer while the updated production actually gives the guitars and bass more room to shine. Things rage towards a head on collision of Doom and Blackened Death Metal on “H.E.L.L.” while the initial chaotic lurch of “Satanic Grimoire” will allow for some breathing room before the band unwinds into their most varied track of the disc.

Jaw will drop as the Black Metal assault of “The Cursing “Vampyric Evil-Eye.” Not only is the track the most vicious on the disc, Thisiren’s piercing falsetto to raspy snarls show pure vocal prowess. And the assault doesn’t cease on the epically flavored Blackened rage of “Dark Priest “Lord Ahriman.”   The second new track, “Convictions,” closes the album and finds Satan’s Host embracing some Thashy elements and ending on a slightly more reserved note than their previous songs.

Celebration: For the Love of Satan may be one of the rare occasion where a re-recording album is essential.  Leviathan Thisiren’s range commands the songs the way guttural growls never could.  The updated material takes on a new life and is best described of how Ronnie James Dio added more flair to the Sabbath material Ozzy originally handled.  Best of all, Celebration doesn’t undermine the albums Satan’s Host released with L.C.F. Elixir.  Those albums retain a rawness that Celebration does not have.  However, Celebration shows Satan’s Host is able to employ a much wider scope with Thisiren and the current production style is astounding.  And speaking of Thisiren, his performances on both By the Hands of the Devil and Celebration: For the Love of Satan should have him nominated for Vocalist of the Year. 

While debates over the merits of re-recording albums will continue in the Metal community, Celebration: For the Love of Satan is yet another flawless album from a criminally underrated band.  Celebration: For the Love of Satan is highly recommended for fans of Black, Death, Thrash, Doom and Power Metal.

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