Darkthrone. Just the name itself is enough to cause a tremble in true Metal fans’s hearts. Who doesn’t know everything about this reigning kings of Black Metal? They helped in establishing the name of darkest of metals back in the nineties, and after the 2005. they have decided that they gave everything they could to that genre and decided to move forward, or should I say, backward, into the core of true Metal sound. Starting with „The Cult is Alive“ opus, diabolical duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto started to incorporate influences of old school Metal, Punk, Doom, Crust, Thrash... or better said, the genres which were there when these musicians formed their personalities, and let their influences shine through in all its glory. The same story is present here. The interesting thing is that their musical change was judged by (mainly younger) fans and the moronic accusations that „Darkthrone sold out“, „punk has no place in Metal“ and similar idiocies (I cannot even begin to fathom how stupid these statements are) started flowing in Darkthrone’s directions. But these folks wouldn’t be themselves if they cared for such things and they have continued down the path they have chosen for themselves. But enough of things that are surrounding them nowadays, you can find everything about it in fantastic interview that I did with Fenriz (of course, it is not fantastic beacuse of me, but for the KILLER answers the man provided us with), let us go to „Dark Thrones and Black Flags“... This is Darkthrone’s 14th (!!!) studio release and, as stated above, they have continued in vein of previous two albums, meaning that they infused large doses of Punk / Crust, Heavy, Thrash and Doom in their basis of Black Metal, getting an exciting amalgamation of these genres. Trained ear of expirienced listener can and will notice influences from various cult bands, f.ex. check out the Hellhammer / Celtic Frost riffing in „Witch Ghetto“ or King Diamond (from Fate 80’s era) impersonations on „Hanging Out in Haiger“... The examples are numerous and I will stop here beacuse I don’t want to spoil the fun for you. Also, I can trace considerable larger amount of Black Metal than on „F.O.A.D“, just check out the blood freezing necro opening riff of „The Winds They Called The Dungeon Shaker“ (song title of the year)! One more thing that should be mentioned is that the songwriting duties are equally shared between Ted and Gylve, and that can be easily noticed when listening to an album. Fenriz concentrates on hymnic, speedy punk anthems with shouting singalong choruses and overall headbanging feeling (noticeable fact is also that the man is behind the microphone more and more as time goes by), just check out „Hiking Metal Punks“ or mentioned „Hanging Out in Haiger“ for the proof. On the other hand, Nocturno Culto seems not to be in good mood these days, as his work is on doomier and slower side, coloured with atmospheric little guitar fills and melodies, creating really dark songs filled with his unmatchable venomous rasp (check out beautiful „Norway in September“, f.ex.). Fenriz said a lot of things about the album in an interview, so I think that it is time to come to an end of this review... Truth be told, maybe this is not the perfect album music-wise but the uncompromising attitude and ovewhelming love for great Metal just bursts from the speakers every time that you listen to this fucker. Surely Darkthrone are not the only band with such standards, but they are the biggest, the monumental proof that money is not everything, that you can follow you heart no matter how big you are, that everyone who doesn’t agree with you can fuck off and die.This just makes for one more monumental release of the band who doesn’t even consider to slow down or to give up the mission of creating the most sincere music possible. So the mark of this album speaks how much I appreciate this band. Bow to the fucking kings – bow down to allmighty DARKTHRONE!!!
10
