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Darkthrone

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Darkthrone

Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band formed in 1986. They began as a death metal outfit under the name of Black Death.

Formation and Peaceville Records

The band was formed in Kolbotn, Norway in 1986 as Black Death. The band released several demo cassettes and were subsequently signed to Peaceville Records on a four-album contract. After changing their name to Darkthrone, the band released their first full-length album, Soulside Journey in 1990. The album was cleanly-produced in a technical death metal style characterised by progressive song structure, complex drumming patterns, and fast, accurate riffing (a style popular with Swedish death metal at the time - as Uffe of Entombed helped produce the album), while still hinting at and incorporating some black metal riffs, sounds and imagery in the album sleeve and artwork. The band met Euronymous, who impressed them so much they decided to change their sound. Soon afterward, Darkthrone adopted the aesthetic style that would come to represent the black metal scene, wearing corpsepaint and working under occult pseudonyms. At this point, bassist Dag Nilsen left the band (but still played, listed as "Session Bass", on their next album A Blaze in the Northern Sky). This album was strongly-inspired by the works of Bathory and Celtic Frost. No longer using death metal vocal stylings, Darkthrone decided to change the way they sounded. Peaceville Records was originally skeptical about releasing the album due to Darkthrone's extreme diversion from their original death metal style.[1]

The Darkthrone logo, as it has appeared on the band's releases since its first album, Soulside Journey.

The band delved even deeper into the black metal sound with their following album, Under a Funeral Moon, which has since established itself as a landmark for the genre as a whole. It was followed by Transilvanian Hunger, which is generally regarded as Darkthrone's finest work, although the band itself regards it as being a rather atypical Darkthrone record. All of these early black metal albums were characterised by raw sound, extremely low fidelity recording quality, and musical simplicity. Darkthrone remains a powerful force in the black metal genre, although they have experimented with their influences over the years.

Darkthrone received some criticism for a statement that they had intended to print on the Transilvanian Hunger album: "We would like to state that Transilvanian Hunger stands beyond any criticism. If any man should attempt to criticize this LP, he should be thoroughly patronized for his obviously Jewish behavior." Following pressure from Peaceville Records, Darkthrone wrote a formal letter of apology and retracted the statement, although the phrase "Norsk Arisk Black Metal" ("Norwegian Aryan Black Metal") remained on the pressing until its 2001 reissue, which certainly raises questions regarding the sincerity of the band's apology.[2]

Moonfog albums

Darkthrone moved to the Moonfog label (ran by Satyr from Satyricon) for subsequent releases.

After the recording of their next album Panzerfaust (1995), Zephyrous (Ivar Enger) left the band, supposedly disappearing into misanthropy, although he did not perform on either Transilvanian Hunger or Panzerfaust. (The band states that Zephyrous's last musical contribution was Under A Funeral Moon).

Their next release, Total Death (1996), was recorded with lyrics from various Norwegian musicians of the time.

In 1997, Darkthrone released the Goatlord album. The Goatlord album was a rehearsal tape recorded between Soulside Journey and A Blaze In The Northern Sky which was scrapped after the band had changed its sound (although this album was unlike any other Darkthrone album in style or purpose, neither death metal or black metal, and exhibited a sound/music style that would only come to pass in many years time). Drummer Fenriz and Satyr (of Satyricon) added vocal tracks to the recording in 1994.

1999 saw the release of the album Ravishing Grimness, in which Darkthrone delved deeper into obvious Celtic Frost inspiration and even some punk influence. Many fans derided the album for its "clean production", a few even going so far as to claim the band had "sold out".

Since 1999, Fenriz has also been recording with Eibon, a "supergroup" of sorts, with Satyr of Satyricon, Killjoy of Necrophagia, and Phil Anselmo of Pantera, although their debut album seems destined to never be released.

In 2000, Plaguewielder came roaring back with the "necro" style of production[3]. Darkthrone were becoming comfortable with their "new" evolution and direction, one which would follow on into their next albums. The importance of holding onto the old ways and fans, and too stubborn to evolve themselves, was, as always, the least of their worries.

After a long break, Darkthrone released the album Hate Them in 2003. Going even further back to their "necro" roots and sound than the two previous albums, Hate Them was a more repetitive and "straight up" release , once again influenced highly by Celtic Frost.

In 2004 they released Sardonic Wrath. Even beyond previous works, this was considered the true return to their old form, and would almost dictate the future style and progression of the band over the next release and singles.

Return to Peaceville

In 2005, Darkthrone confirmed they had returned to Peaceville Records, after leaving the label in 1994. They had also started up their own record label, Tyrant Syndicate Productions, which will release their albums in the future (with Peaceville/Snapper Music distributing). To celebrate their return, Peaceville re-issued the Preparing For War CD Anthology covering the band's first era at Peaceville, with a bonus CD of additional demos and a DVD of rare live performances. Peaceville has also re-released the four original recordings on their label, with an added interview video on each explaining the recording process and their time during the period of these releases.

Darkthrone released their 12th album, The Cult Is Alive, in early 2006. This was preceded by an EP titled Too Old, Too Cold, which featured exclusive tracks (of particular note is a cover of "Love in a Void" by Siouxsie & the Banshees). Additionally, they filmed a video for Too Old, Too Cold, which is included on the Special Edition CD of The Cult Is Alive. The album brings with it a punk aesthetic/style to the songs. This album was the first Darkthrone album to be featured on chart in Norway, debuting at number 11.[4]

On November 23, 2006, Peaceville released a limited edition 7" EP titled Forebyggende Krig via their website only, with the "Too Old , Too Cold " album track "Forebyggende Krig" and a cover of The Testors song "Bad Attitude".

2007 saw Darkthrone celebrating 20 years of existence.

In 2007, guitarist/bassist/vocalist Nocturno Culto completed and released The Misanthrope, a DVD Movie/Documentary which includes various recordings of his own making from 2004–2005.

In July they released the EP NWOBHM, a "teaser" from the forthcoming album.

On 13th of September, Darkthrone released their 13th full length album called "F.O.A.D.". F.O.A.D. is an acronym for "Fuck Off And Die" which is the fifth track of the album, a "hidden" tribute to Danish thrash/death band Desexult and their legendary demo "S.O.D.F.O.A.D".

It was announced, that the recordings for their new album "Dark thrones, black flags" will be ready in July 2008.Nocturno Culto is quoted as saying: "We have recorded four songs for the next album, 'Dark Thrones And Black Flags'. We sort of tried to keep the title 'hidden,' but my mouth ran over talking to Metal Hammer (damn!!!), so anyways, that's the title, and NO, it's not punkish you bastards, it's METAL TO THE BONE!!! I tell ya, what we allow ourself to do these days.... riff-wise, I mean. IT'S A BLOODY FEAST!!!! The plan is to have the final recordings ready in July at latest. I know, I know, this album comes fast, but not to worry, we'll use just a tad more time on the album after that."

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Notes
1990 Soulside Journey The band's only death metal album.
1991 A Blaze in the Northern Sky Final release with bassist Dag Nilsen.
1993 Under a Funeral Moon Final release with guitarist Zephyrous.
1994 Transilvanian Hunger Some lyrics by Varg Vikernes.
1995 Panzerfaust Some lyrics by Varg Vikernes.
1996 Total Death Features lyrics written by four black metal bands.
1997 Goatlord Death metal compilation recorded 1990-1991.
1999 Ravishing Grimness
2001 Plaguewielder
2003 Hate Them
2004 Sardonic Wrath
2006 The Cult is Alive First album to incorporate crust punk elements.
2007 F.O.A.D.
2008 Dark Thrones, Black Flags Upcomming Album

Compilation albums

Singles/EPs

  • Too Old, Too Cold [EP] - (2006) - Single/EP release with one new song (Too Old, Too Cold), an exclusive track featuring Grutle of Enslaved on guest vocals (High on Cold War), a cover of Siouxsie & The Banshees (Love In A Void), and an alternate vocal version of one other album track (Graveyard Slut).
  • Forebyggende Krig [7"] - (2006) - 7" online exclusive release limited to 2000 copies. Includes a cover of "Bad Attitude", originally recorded by Testors (American punk band from the late 1970's), with Fenriz on lead vocals.
  • NWOBHM [EP] - (2007) - Single/EP released as a 'small taster' for the album F.O.A.D. with one new song exclusively for the EP (Hedninger Fra Helvete) which means 'Heathens From Hell'.

Demos/Promos

  • Land of Frost [Demo] - (1988)
  • A New Dimension [Promo] - (1988)
  • Thulcandra [Demo] - (1989)
  • Cromlech [Promo] - (1989)


Soundtracks

  • Kathaarian Life Code features in the last scene of the film Demonlover (2003).

Band members

Current members

Former members

  • Ivar Enger (Zephyrous) - guitar - (1988–1995)
  • Dag Nilsen - bass guitar - (1986–1991)
  • Anders Risberget - guitars - (1986–1988)

Involved with Darkthrone


References

  1. ^ Peaceville Records Biography, retrieved 2007-08-20
  2. ^ Moynihan, Michael (2003). Lords of Chaos: The Bloody Rise of the Satanic Metal Underground. California: Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-94-6.
  3. ^ Smith, Brad. "Interview with Darkthrone". Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  4. ^ "Darkthrone in the Charts!". Rockdetector. 2006-02-11. Retrieved 2007-08-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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