Darkthrone
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- This article is about the Norwegian black metal band. For the MMORPG, see Dark Throne.
| Darkthrone | |
|---|---|
 Fenriz and Nocturno Culto of Darkthrone circa 2006 |
|
| Country | Norway |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Genres | Black metal Death metal (early) |
| Labels | Peaceville (1986–1994, 2005–present) Moonfog (1995–2005) The End Records (2003–2005) |
Darkthrone is a highly influential Norwegian black metal band formed in 1986. They began as a death metal outfit under the name of Black Death.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Forming in Kolbotn, Norway 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. The album was cleanly produced in a technical death metal style characterised by progressive song structure, complex drumming patterns, and fast, accurate riffing, while still hinting at and incorporating some black metal riffs, sounds and imagery in the album sleeve and artwork. 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). Darkthrone subsequently recorded and released the seminal black metal album A Blaze in the Northern Sky, which was strongly inspired by the works of Bathory and Celtic Frost. Peaceville Records was originally skeptical about releasing the album due to Darkthrone's diversion from the death metal style.
The band delved even deeper into the black metal sound with the 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 their quintessential masterpiece Transilvanian Hunger, which is generally regarded as Darkthrone's finest work, although the band itself regards it as being a rather untypical 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." Darkthrone later retracted this statement due to pressure from Peaceville Records, although the phrase "Norsk Arisk Black Metal" ("Norwegian Aryan Black Metal") remained on the pressing until it was re-issued in 2001. When Panzerfaust came out the liner notes included "Darkthrone is certainly not a Nazi-band nor a political band, those of you who still might think so, you can lick Mother Mary's asshole in eternity" which cleared Darkthrone's name as a National Socialist Black Metal band. Darkthrone kept "flirting" with NSBM themes through out the years, by indicating for example "non-kosher" on their website.
Darkthrone moved to the Moonfog label (of 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. (NOTE: This is somewhat disputed but the band continues to state that Zephyrous's last musical contribution was Under A Funeral Moon).
Their next release, Total Death (1996), was recorded with lyrics by various scene musicians of the time, the merit of which is widely disputed.
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. Drummer Fenriz and Satyr (of Satyricon) added vocal tracks to the recording in 1996.
1999 saw the release of the album Ravishing Grimness, in which Darkthrone delved deeper into obvious Celtic Frost inspiration. Many fans derided the album for its "clean production", a few even going so far as to claim the band "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 production. Darkthrone were becoming comfortable with their "new" evolution and direction, one which would follow on into their next albums. The importance of holding on to the old ways and fans, 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 previous two, the album being a more repetitive and "straight up" release , once again influenced highly by Celtic Frost.
In 2004 they released "Sardonic Wrath".
In 2005, Darkthrone confirmed they had returned to Peaceville Records after leaving 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 their 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, on February 27th, 2006. This was preceded by an EP titled Too Old, Too Cold which featured exclusive tracks (of particularly 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.
Recently noted on Peaceville's website, Guitarist/Vocalist Nocturno Culto is working on a film and additionally, he and Fenriz are already beginning pre-production for their next album. On November 23, 2006, Peaceville will release a limited 7" via their website only.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums (Studio)
- Cromlech demo - (1989)
- Soulside Journey - (1990)
- A Blaze in the Northern Sky - (1991)
- Under a Funeral Moon - (1993)
- Transilvanian Hunger - (1994)
- Panzerfaust - (1995)
- Total Death - (1996)
- Goatlord - (1997) Recorded In 1990 - 1991
- Ravishing Grimness - (1999)
- Preparing For War (Best Of, 1988-1994) - (2000)
- Plaguewielder - (2001)
- Hate Them - (2003)
- Sardonic Wrath - (2004)
- Preparing For War (Re-Released as a Box Set with a bonus CD of demos and DVD of live rare performances and interviews) - (2005)
- The Cult is Alive - (2006)
[edit] Singles/EPs
- God of Disturbance and Friction - Single, Released on "Moonfog 2000 - A Different Perspective" - (2000)
- Too Old, Too Cold [EP] - (2006) - Single/EP release with one new song (Too Old, Too Cold), an exclusive track featurng 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 limtied 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.
[edit] Demos/Promos
- Land of Frost [Demo] - (1986)
- A New Dimension [Promo] - (1987)
- Thulcandra [Demo] - (1988)
- Cromlech [Promo] - (1989)
[edit] Material on Compilations
- Darkthrone, Holy Darkthrone - Eight Norwegian Bands Paying Tribute - Tribute album released by Moonfog Records - (1998)
[edit] Bootlegs
- Aside from Mayhem and Moonblood, Darkthrone may have the honor of being one of the most commonly bootlegged black metal bands. The three best known bootlegs include The Roots of Evilness Live which includes a live Darkthrone performance from 1990 with the Thulcandra demo recording; The True Legends In Black, which is a split album with Mayhem and contains the Thulcandra demo; and A Night of Unholy Black Metal, which contains a recording of Darkthrone's final live 1996 performance, four additional live songs from 1991, and five rehearsal tracks for Under A Funeral Moon. There are also many other bootlegs that are not covered here.
[edit] Music in Films
- Kathaarian Life Code features in the last scene of the film Demonlover (2003).
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass, Lyrics (since 1989)
- Also performed on Satyricon's "Nemesis Divina" album and subsequent tour in 1996/1997 with the name Kveldulv.
- Fenriz (Gylve Nagell) - Drums, Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Lyrics (since 1986)
- Also involved in Dødheimsgard, Isengard, Eibon, Storm, Valhall, Frost and Neptune Towers.
[edit] Former members
- Zephyrous (Ivar Enger) - Guitar - (1988-1995)
- Dag Nilsen - Bass - (1986-1991)
- Anders Risberget - Guitars - (1986-1988)
[edit] Related Artists
[edit] Involvements of Darkthrone
- Neptune Towers
- Satyricon - Nocturno Culto, assisted on Nemesis Divina
[edit] General
[edit] External links
- Darkthrone Official site
- Darkthrone Tribute site (A Tribute to the Darkthrone releases inspired by the true essence of Black Metal)
