DARKTHRONE 'Pre-historic Metal'

DARKTHRONE
Pre-historic Metal
Peaceville

In my opinion, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto can do no wrong. DARKTHRONE has proven that theory yet again with their latest offering, Pre-Historic Metal. In the last few years they have concentrated not only on new music, but boxed sets and collectors items that have served their fan base well; and while some may style Mayhem as the creators of True Norwegian Black Metal, it is DARKTHRONE who commanded the truth of the moniker. With their unpolished, bleak soundscape that started with 'A Blaze In The Northern Sky' and has now come full circle to this new release, they have continued to show us how TNBM should feel and sound. 

Never ones to be afraid to experiment, Gylve “Fenriz” Nagell and Ted “Nocturno Culto” Skjellum have created a masterful follow up to their last studio album 'It Beckons Us All' that gives you everything you would expect in an offering from DARKTHRONE. 

This band’s entire discography is one that is not static in it’s sound. Some albums are the epitome of the frozen wasteland of Nordic black metal noise while others are deeply rooted in their love for traditional metal and punk, and experimentation is key. Fenriz loves all things music and every DARKTHRONE album has something new to offer. This is why the band has not only kept their loyal fan base while attracting new fans with each and every release.
 
That early unholy trinity of 'A Blaze In the Northern Sky', Under A Funeral Moon' and 'Transylvanian Hunger' was just the start of the phenomenon that is DARKTHRONE. While many consider their debut, 'Soulside Journey', to be their breakthrough, it was surpassed by their ultimate foray from death metal to black metal and that is where they have remained. The past decade has proven that the band sticks to their roots while wrapping up new sounds and offerings into their newest music. It reminds us why this band is still here while others have gone the way of just becoming archives in the history of black metal. 

“They Found One Of My Graves” kicks off the album and there is also a lyric video for the tune. It plays to the icy pit of despair that you would expect from a Norwegian winter-scape and has that iconic post punk, dark and bleak tone that DARKTHRONE is so famous for. 

Title track “Pre-Historic Metal” is another banger that keeps up the blistering aural assault and perfectly showcases why Fenriz is a songwriting genius. His ability to lay down blistering drums and keep it interesting is a true talent and the reason the band has had such a loyal fan base for forty years. 

On the heels of the title track is “Siberian Thaw”, and it offers more than six minutes of old school metal. This is a band that has earned the right to write and record whatever they want. They are no longer bound by the tropes of elitist black metal and their evolution is one that is heartily embraced by old and new fans of the genre.

Recorded at Chaka Khan Studios on Oslo, the entire album has primal riffs from Nocturno Culto on each tune. What is amazing is that they are still doing it all themselves. Each and every tune is written and recorded by the duo. They are nothing if not legendary in their field. 

The next round of songs consists of “Deeply Rooted”, “The Dry Wells Of Hell” and “So I Marched To The Sunken Empire”, thus keeping in line with their Hellish ideology. It is loud, brutal and bleak in its methodology. Their brand of heavy is legendary and these songs are no different. 

Rounding out the eight-song opus is “Eat Eat Eat Your Pride” and “Eon 4”. Every song on this album is good. It is arguably one of their best. I don’t say this because I am a lifelong fan, but because it stands out.
 
The doom and destruction one expects from this band is there; but there is a finesse to each song that shows growth and maturity because they are masters of their craft. This album is ferocious, heavy and full of fire and brimstone. It is exactly what you would expect from DARKTHRONE yet takes you even further into their genre bending blend of traditional heavy metal, black and doom metal with the heavy drums, guttural vocals and blinding guitar wails that make them unique in a sea of mediocrity. There is a reason that so many consider them the best at what they do. 

Black metal has evolved over the years. The subgenres are many, however, DARKTHRONE manages to continue to blend every type of metal into their signature sound and make each album new and fresh. Their longevity and continuance to thrive is due to their ability to create music that stands out. No, they don’t play live; this is part of the mystery behind the band; but even without performing and touring, they give the fans what they want. Black metal fans eagerly await each and every offering from the band and that is what matters. 

Undoubtedly a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars