Black magic verdite anaconda is a term that combines elements of traditional African spiritual practices, the stone verdite, and the powerful anaconda snake. Black magic refers to the use of supernatural forces for harmful purposes, often involving curses, hexes, or spells. Verdite is a type of metamorphic rock that is primarily used for carving sculptures and is often associated with healing and protection in African culture. The anaconda is a large snake found in South America and is renowned for its strength and power. The phrase "black magic verdite anaconda" can symbolize a potent combination of spiritual and natural forces. It may represent the idea of harnessing the power of nature and spirituality for dark or harmful purposes.
Gatefold LP version includes insert, new layout and etch on vinyl
The pressing plant made an error while pressing the album for CD, and banded the intro as a separate track, hence its omission from official track lists. Word is that Oracle Records is currently working on remastering and releasing Pagan Altar s other four albums on CD as well, so keep your eyes peeled.
It may represent the idea of harnessing the power of nature and spirituality for dark or harmful purposes. The inclusion of black magic suggests manipulation and intent to cause harm, while the verdite stone and anaconda snake add a mystic and powerful element to the concept. It is important to note that black magic, or any form of harmful magic, is often frowned upon in many cultures and religions.
Pagan Altar
A testament to the musical wealth of the NWOBHM era is the amazing number of bands from that era that were 'lost' and only recently rediscovered and reissued (either with or without help of certain whores. oops, I mean bands covering their songs). London's Pagan Altar are one of the newest rediscoveries, and their first album, Volume I, originally from 1982, is yet another slab of metal that was crimially buried and forgotten. But fortunately no more.
If I were to just say they are Sabbathy heavy metal I might give the impression that they are just another proto-stoner band like Witchfinder General, but that's not quite right at all. Imagine a band heavily influenced by the riff-stylings, songwriting/arrangement, and magical/occult imagery of Sabbath, but completely without all of the psychedelic and drug influence. They don't tune down, so the doomy rumbling sound isn't there, and the songs don't go for heaviness so much as. 'otherworld-liness', maybe? From what I gathered from the band's website this album is thematic and is focused on occult themes, and the music manages to grab that atmosphere of unreality and the terror a person feels when faced with something forbidden (I guess I'm thinking of Hawthorne's short story "Young Goodman Brown" where the good puritan guy goes into the woods and finds his whole town in an occult orgy. ).
The music on this album seems timeless, in a way. The music is very faithful to the OLD style of heavy metal like early Sabbath and Priest, both in the riffs/arrangements and the way the bass and drums play off the guitar work. The vocals also seem very 'vintage' - frontman Terry Jones is definitely NOT a 'metal' singer, with his very high, thin vocals that actually call to mind OLD occult/rock acts like Black Widow or early Pentagram - he sounds much more 'rock' than metal in his timbre, but the vocal melodies he weaves into the songs just fit perfectly. The production helps reinforce that 'timeless' sound (though I doubt it was deliberate - this was 1982, after all. ) - it's a bit brittle, like slightly overdriven analog recording equipment, with gritty but slightly thin guitars, a big, fat bass sound, and clean-but-dry drums like on the first couple of Priest albums. You could have told me this came out in 1972 and I'd believe it.
Bottom line, though, is that this album is amazing. Highly recommended for NWOBHM fans or people into old original heavy metal like early Sabbath and Priest. Word is that Oracle Records is currently working on remastering and releasing Pagan Altar's other four albums on CD as well, so keep your eyes peeled.
(Originally published at LARM (c) 2001)
Musical composition, arrangements and production by Alan and Terry Jones.
All songs originally written between 1977 and 1983.
The use of black magic to cause harm or manipulate others goes against the principles of love and compassion. It is generally considered unethical and harmful to engage in such practices. However, the phrase "black magic verdite anaconda" can also be interpreted metaphorically. It may symbolize the power and strength within ourselves and the ability to overcome obstacles or challenges. Just as the anaconda is known for its physical prowess, we can tap into our inner strength and use it to achieve our goals. The verdite stone, associated with healing and protection, can represent the power of self-care and the ability to protect ourselves from negative influences. It is a reminder that there is strength within us, waiting to be harnessed and utilized. Overall, the concept of black magic verdite anaconda is complex and can be seen from different perspectives. It can be viewed as a warning against the misuse of power and the dangers of harmful intentions. Alternatively, it can serve as a reminder of our own inner strength and the potential for growth and transformation..
Reviews for "The Historical Significance of Black Magic Verdite Anaconda in African Art"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Black magic verdite anaconda". The storyline was confusing and all over the place. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The special effects were also poorly done, making it hard to immerse myself in the supposed magical world. Overall, I found it boring and a complete waste of time.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my money on "Black magic verdite anaconda". The acting was so terrible that I cringed throughout the entire movie. The plot made no sense, and it seemed like the filmmakers were just throwing random magical elements together without any rhyme or reason. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and I found myself struggling to stay awake. Save yourself the trouble and skip this disaster of a film.
3. Alex - 2 stars - "Black magic verdite anaconda" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on every level. The writing was incredibly weak, with clichéd dialogue and predictable plot twists. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations were unclear. The action scenes were poorly choreographed, and the visual effects looked low-budget. I was highly disappointed because I had high hopes for this film, but it fell flat in every aspect.
4. Jessica - 1 star - I couldn't believe how much I disliked "Black magic verdite anaconda". The acting was cringe-worthy, especially from the lead actors. The storyline was confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the movie. The costume design was also laughable, as the characters looked like they were wearing cheap Halloween costumes. I would not recommend this film to anyone who values their time and money.