I didn’t really like the last two Darkthrone albums. Plaguewielder was just more of the same and Hate them was even more of the same and sounded uninspired. The cult is alive is also more of the same really (like Darkthrone would ever change), but it seems the unholy fire is back this time.

 

All fans of black metal know that the late 80’s/early 90’s are never coming back and Darkthrone will never sound like A blaze in the northern sky or Transylvanian hunger again, but I can’t say I mind much. Those old albums might be very ‘true’ and ‘grim’ but let’s face it: they sounded like shit. I know I’m pissing off a lot of underground black metal fans with this, but I like a good production where you can actually hear the instruments.

 

On this album Darkthrone prove you can catch the dark essence of black metal without sounding like someone else’s headphones. Although this might be the cleanest sounding album the band released so far, it does have a very raw, dark edge. Nocturnal Culto’s vocals sound more evil then ever and the whole album is just overflowing with dark, negative energy.

 

Over the years more influences came into their music, like traditional metal, doom, punk and rock ‘n roll. Too old too cold has some punk rock-like parts and Forebyggende krig is a really slow, sludgy song. Graveyard slut is sung in a rather clean voice by Fenriz and it sounds like Motörhead doing black metal: fantastic! But everything still sounds unmistakably Darkthrone.

 

The cool thing about Darkthrone is that (although they performed about 20 live shows, about 20 years ago) they just pop up every now and then with an album. Not because they want to make money or entertain people, just because they want to make the album. From their website: “It's important to point out the fact the Darkthrone is not in the entertainment biz, and that will be the reality for all years to come. The music on the albums (vinyl rules) is the main focus.”

 

Best album since Ravishing Grimness, my personal favourite.