Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

Blodårstid on the latest from Darkthrone: http://www.holyterror.com/blod/2006/10/06/darkthrone-the-cult-is-alive-cd/

Heavymetal.no has the heads-up on the new Darkthrone "Forebyggende krig" 7": http://www.heavymetal.no/show.article.asp?menuid=&artid=5110

Darkthrone
The cult is alive
Peaceville

I have not been following Darkthrone's career in the past, say, five years, but back in the day they were the sickest, most incredible black metal band along with Abruptum and perhaps Marduk. These dude were seriously evil. I don't know what happened there, but "The cult is alive" is considerably more rock than I ever thought this band capable of. Not just slower, but the whole thing has tinges of grarage rock, Misfits-like punk and a little bit of Samhain thrown in. It might be also the most Venom-inspired black metal album I have heard in quite some time. I guess they wanted to go back to the source. The whole album is seriously awesome as it is so unexpected, and the music ain't crap either, very good stuff. I am totally in awe.
- Simon Thibaudeau

Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "Monumension" and "Mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.

MP3: Enslaved - Ruun

Of all the original Norwegian black-metal acts, Enslaved has always been one of the best, most progressive bands. While others like Darkthrone refuse to change and bands like Emperor reverted back to exploring their tech/death-metal roots before breaking up, Enslaved consistently expanded on their so-called "viking metal" sound by incorporating even more grandiose melodies, clean expressive singing (and the use of English as opposed to their insistence of only speaking in old Norse) and weird psychedelic parts. I wasn't too stoked on the last two albums "Isa" and "Below the lights" since I considered them a bit of a regression following the brilliance of "Monumension" and "Mardraum", but the new record "Ruun" is a return to form. They've ditched the recycled Darkthrone grim/necro/kvlt-style riffage and gone back to what makes them great: more Voivod-esque syncopation and dissonance, less atonal droning. I had a hard time deciding on a standout track since the whole thing flows really well as an album, so I've posted the title track for you today. It has all the traits that make Enslaved great, so I think it's a good place to start.

Enslaved - Ruun

"Nothing to prove / Just a hellish rock'n'roll freak / You call your metal black / It's just fucking lame and weak"

Darkthrone wastes no time in laying down the law and telling you exactly what they're about. As if you couldn't tell by their trademark buzzsaw guitars and plodding beats. In a scene where grimness and regression are sought-after virtues, none are more true than Darkthrone. Bands like Mayhem get chastised for attempting to update their sound, but Darkthrone steadfastly soldiers on. There are few things you can count on in this world, but you always know what you're getting with these guys. But sometimes they do try to put one over on us - C'mon guys, what's up with that Siouxsie and the Banshees cover? My automatic reaction is to deny their self-awareness, their sense of humor. They're too kvlt for that, right? But it's there and it's undeniable. Darkthrone is smiling.

MP3: Darkthrone - Too old, too cold

"Nothing to prove / Just a hellish rock'n'roll freak / You call your metal black / It's just fucking lame and weak"

Darkthrone wastes no time in laying down the law and telling you exactly what they're about. As if you couldn't tell by their trademark buzzsaw guitars and plodding beats. In a scene where grimness and regression are sought-after virtues, none are more true than Darkthrone. Bands like Mayhem get chastised for attempting to update their sound, but Darkthrone steadfastly soldiers on. There are few things you can count on in this world, but you always know what you're getting with these guys. But sometimes they do try to put one over on us - C'mon guys, what's up with that Siouxsie and the Banshees cover? My automatic reaction is to deny their self-awareness, their sense of humor. They're too kvlt for that, right? But it's there and it's undeniable. Darkthrone is smiling.

Darkthrone - Too old, too cold

Pitchfork reviews Darkthrone? Sure, I guess: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/record-reviews/d/darkthrone/too-old-too-cold.shtml

Dusted reviews the new Darkthrone EP "Too old, too cold": http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2647

Darkthrone's website is open again and has some info posted about their next album "The cult is alive" and the first single "Too old, too cold": http://www.darkthrone.no/

Black-metal legends Darkthrone has rejoined forces with Peaceville Records, so to celebrate, the label is releasing a special box set which will include "Preparing for war" from 2001 along with a disc of demos and rehearsal tracks and a live DVD. Full tracklist info: http://www.peaceville.co.uk/darkthrone_popup.html

Darkthrone's Nocturno Culto talks to Nocturnal Cult about the band's next album "The cult is alive" and a film project he is working on: http://www.nocturnalcult.com/Darkthrone2005.htm

All-star Norwegian deathrock act Scum (feat. members from Emperor, Turbonegro and Amen) reports that they are now finishing up with their debut album "Gospels for the sick" and will release in the near future via Tuba Records subsidiary DogJob. Guests set to appear on the record include Nocturno Culto (Darkthrone) and Mortiis (ex-Emperor), both of whom contribute vocal tracks.

Fenriz of Darkthrone blows the minds of troo kvlt black-metallers by discussing his love of electronic music in this interview: http://www.soundofthefury.com/core.php?mode=7&id=62 (via)