Vreid is the Norwegian word for “wrath,” which makes it a fitting moniker for the band of the same name. Hailing from Sogndal in Norway, Vreid was born out of the ashes of the band Windir.

In January of 2004, Windir leader Valfar (Terje Bakken) was caught in a sudden snowstorm and died of hypothermia at the age of 25. The remaining members of the band decided to carry on under a different name, but retained Windir’s brand of black and roll steeped in Norwegian folklore.

To date, Vreid has released seven records. This week’s Black Metal Friday featured song is the title track of their third album, the 2007 masterpiece I Krig. Check out this video of Vried performing “I Krig” live in 2010 from the DVD Vreid Goddammit.

This week’s edition of Black Metal Friday is a tribute to our friends Belphegor for carrying the torch of black metal in the face of religious zealotry. You see, while on tour in Russia recently, Belphegor frontman Helmuth was accosted by a fanatic from the Russian Orthodox Church who spat in his face and attempted to incite a physical confrontation. You can see the complete video of the incident here below.

Helmuth responded by returning the favor, spitting back in the lunatic’s face. However, much to the Austrian singer/guitarist’s credit, he turned and began to walk away from the attacker, taking the higher road and probably averting an international incident and possible imprisonment.

New York’s Anthrax is considered a part of “The Big 4” of thrash metal (along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth) for a very good reason. They were among the very first purveyors of the genre and even if they can’t take credit for inventing it, they have certainly had a huge hand in refining the form. Through 35 years and numerous lineup changes this quintuplet has been responsible for some of the most iconic thrash songs ever recorded.

Anthrax has recently released its eleventh album via Nuclear Blast Records. The disc is titled For All Kings and it is their strongest offering in years. It is also the first Anthrax record to include the contributions of former Shadows Fall guitarist Jonathan Donais.

Against Human Plague, or A.H.P. as it is more commonly referred to, is a one-man black metal project out of the hotbed of Bergen, Norway. The man behind the music is known simply as Gulnar. He began making music as A.H.P. in 2011 and released a highly sought after demo in 2012. On February 21, 2016, A.H.P.’s debut full-length album was released by the Via Nocturna label. The ten-song offering, which is simply titled Against Human Plague, veers between ethereal and foreboding ambient passages and out and out misanthropic black metal.

This week’s featured Black Metal Friday track is “Drowned,” which is the ninth track on Against Human Plague.

Legendary Swedish viking metal band Amon Amarth has just released its tenth album via Metal Blade Records. The disc is called Jomsviking and it is the band’s first concept album.

Jomsviking is already being hailed as the band’s strongest effort in years. The first official single from the album is the opening track “First Kill” and it is our Massive Metal Monday selection for this week.