Negative-Existence - DARKTHRONE "Dark Thrones and Black Flags" CD

DARKTHRONE "Dark Thrones and Black Flags" CD
[CDVILEF237X]

~~$14.00~~ $13.00

DARKTHRONE "Dark Thrones and Black Flags" CD

Click to enlarge

Artist: DARKTHRONE

Title: Dark Thrones and Black Flags

Format: CD

Country: Norway

Genre: Punk/Black/Heavy Metal

Record Label: Peaceville Records

Darkthrone's 14th album, a perfect fusion of blackened rock, metal and punk. ‘Dark Thrones & Black Flags’ is a continuation of the Darkthrone sound, style and uncompromising attitude witnessed on the acclaimed 2007 album ‘F.O.A.D’.

 ‘Dark Thrones & Black Flags’ is equal parts Fenriz and Nocturno Culto. The duo share song-writing and vocal duties throughout the release (with some surprising results) and further perfect the art of ‘the riff’. A deceptive mastery of composition is also evident on possibly their strongest release of recent times – an album of stripped down, dirty metal.

 Recorded and produced by the band themselves at Necrohell II studios, Norway, ‘Dark Thrones & Black Flags’ is an exercise in pushing the conventions of the narrow perception of what should make black metal, becoming more timeless and faithful to its spirit than most could ever wish for in the process.

Tracklisting:

1. The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker 03:52
2. Death of All Oaths (Oath Minus) 04:16
3. Hiking Metal Punks 03:22
4. Blacksmith of the North (Keep That Ancient Fire) 03:13
5. Norway in September 05:46
6. Grizzly Trade 04:16
7. Hanging Out in Haiger 03:22
8. Dark Thrones and Black Flags 02:24
9. Launchpad to Nothingness 04:31
10. Witch Ghetto 03:56
38:58

Sounds:

Review:

Written by: autothrall [Metal Archives]
Darkthrone is such a personal favorite of mine that each new album is practically an event, something I anticipate every year or so with baited delirium. Contrary to the narrow views of most black metal mavens, I enjoy just about every 'phase' the band has explored, even their highly debated albums like 'Plaguewielder' or 'Ravishing Grimness'. They have never lacked for integrity or a refined sense of simple, infectious songwriting. Their latest opus continues upon the path of the previous 'F.O.A.D.', a hybrid of early black metal ethics and raw, punk fervor. And it is quite a show, each of its 10 tracks a small piece of perfection.

No, you won't find 'Transilvanian Hunger' or 'Under a Funeral Moon' on this disc. And why the fuck would you want to? They have already achieved the apex of that form, and I for one am excited that they continue to redefine and reinvent their approach. As aforementioned, all of the songs on this album are wonderful. To pick favorites is nigh impossible since I love the placement of every note and every vocal on the album. One might first be thrown off with the rather 'goofy' sound of the clean vocals on track opener "The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker", but listen a few more times. It's absolutely fantastic, and re-captures the charisma of early metal and punk when the individual voice was an important force in underground music, rather than the formulaic snarl-by-numbers you hear so often these days.

Both halves of the legendary duo have contributed equally to the songwriting here, and you can almost hear a division between the production of the tracks. And yet, despite this, they all fit wonderfully together into a grim, delicious whole. The influence of Celtic Frost, Bathory and other prototypical staples remains very apparent, yet each track embellishes with something you wouldn't quite expect. The somber melodies which illuminate the second half of "The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker". The wild vibes of "Hiking Metal Punks" with its inspiring, NWOBHM guitar solos. The infectious riffing of "Blacksmith of the North". The desolate, thrashing atmosphere of "Launchpad into Nothingness". Just too many moments to choose here.

Lyrically, the album retains the tongue in cheek self-exploration of the state of 'metal' music kick which they've been on for some time now, but not restricted to that. This is a band whose lyrics have always been worth reading, from the worst to the best, and that is a trend which thankfully continues on 'Dark Thrones and Black Flags'.

Yet another masterpiece from the world's greatest black metal band, even if that tag no longer strictly applies to their sound. This is my favorite release from the band since 'Sardonic Wrath', and one I will probably not cut from my aural rotation until the inevitable follow-up.

Which I will eagerly await, with delirium bordering on frenzy.

Links:

myspace.com/officialdarkthrone

This product was added to our catalog on Sunday 22 January, 2012.