Although the band first emerged with the 1993 demo ‘Immortal Death’ Maniac Butcher can trace their history as far back as 1988. The debuting line up comprised of vocalist Barbarud Hrom, guitarist Vlad Blasphemer, bassist Thomas and drummer Michael.
The 1994 session ‘The Incapable Carrion’ saw Thomas being superseded by Jorg on bass. Maniac Butcher had their 1996 ‘Black Hordes Of Saaz’ single shared with DARK STORM. Following the band’s debut full length album Jorg decamped.
Second album ‘Lucan- Antikrist’ saw the inclusion of second guitarist Lord Unclean. This outing included a rendition of MASTER'S HAMMER's 'Hell Abyss'. Line up troubles afflicted the band further when Michael left the fold, to found yet another uncompromising act AGMEN, followed by Lord Unclean. By this stage Maniac Butcher was down to the pairing of Vlad Blasphemer and Barbarud Hrom for the ‘Cerna Krev’ outing.
1999 had session players Ramus on guitar and Butcher on drums filling the vacant positions for a split album shared with INFERNO and SEZARBIL. A full length effort ‘Invaze’, which included a cover version of a track by the same name originally recorded by ASSESSOR, was also released the same year. Meantime the ‘Cerna Krev’ album was re-released on the Brazilian Mega Therion label with extra tracks and retitled ‘Sangue Negro’.
Maniac Butcher achieved quite a coup in 2000 when the esteemed Akhenaten of noted American Black Metal project JUDAS ISCARIOT was inducted into the band on bass. However, following European gigs that year the band announced they were to fold. Recordings from these dates would surface posthumously in March of 2003 as the 'Live In Germany' album through the From Beyond Productions label.
Both Blasphemer and Hrom also operate the side band NHAAVAH issuing the album ‘Kings Of Czech Black Metal’ and split a EP with KATHARSIS. Also in 2003 the Brazilian Mutilation label re-issued 'Barbarians' in limited vinyl formats and combined the two demos ' Immortal Death' and 'The Incapable Carrion' for CD release.
As a member of DETONATOR 666 Vlad Blasphemer, in the guitar role, released the album 'At The Dawn Of Sadistioc Infernal Holocaust' in April 2004. The Dutch label Displeased Records re-issued 'Live In Open Hell' on vinyl format in December of 2004.
In 2005 released a DVD entitled ' Dead But Live - '92-01' and in 2007 released a EP called 'The Beast / Dva tisice let' which the album cover was pianted by Quorthon of Bathory also it is the first studio album in nearly 7 years.
Midnight Empire
Maniac Butcher Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gag for whole country
Sadly perished freedom
Death of strong nation
Only West forests
Breathing and living,
Free and unruly
The lyrics of "Midnight Empire" by Maniac Butcher seem to be describing a period of political unrest and oppression. The arrival of rats from the South is likely a metaphor for corruption and decay spreading throughout the nation. The line "Gag for whole country" suggests that the people are being silenced, perhaps through censorship or propaganda.
The next line, "Sadly perished freedom," confirms that the nation has lost its liberties. The final line, "Death of strong nation," implies that the country has been weakened and may not survive this period of turmoil. This is further supported by the contrast drawn between the West forests and the rest of the country. The forests are described as free and unruly, while the rest of the nation is mistrustful and oppressed.
Overall, the lyrics of "Midnight Empire" paint a bleak picture of a nation in crisis. The imagery of rats, gagging, and death all suggest that the situation is dire and the people are suffering.
Line by Line Meaning
The arrival of rats from South
The incursion of hostile forces from the southern regions.
Gag for whole country
The entire nation is suffocated or silenced by this invasion.
Sadly perished freedom
The freedom and independence of the country are lost and gone forever.
Death of strong nation
The downfall and demise of a once-powerful nation.
Only West forests
The forests in the west are the only remaining symbol of natural beauty and untamed wilderness.
Breathing and living
These forests continue to thrive despite the chaotic destruction occurring elsewhere in the country.
Free and unruly
The forests are wild and untamed, just like the nation once was.
Since mistrustful
This freedom and wildness was preserved due to a lack of trust between the government and the people, leading to a lack of development in the west.
Contributed by Lucy H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.