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)

The End Records has posted mp3s for a number of their upcoming releases including Darkthrone, Frantic Bleep and Ulver: http://www.theendrecords.com/label/index_label.html
Note that the Ulver clip is the same one that was posted on the Jester website last week.

Apparently Darkthrone's nomination for the Alarm Prize has been withdrawn since bandmember Fenriz told Aftonposten that they are too grim, true and evil for the award. Or something like that, I'm paraphrasing. Anyhow, taking their place in the metal category now is Susperia with their most recent album "Unlimited".

The nominees for Norway's Alarm Prize have been announced:

Video:
Ugress - Manhattan Sapphire
Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue
Ravi & DJ Løv - Dødsøt
Wibutee - We Are In Space, So Are You
Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You

Rock:
Gåte - Iselilja
International Tussler Society - s/t
Gluecifer - Automatic Thrill
Euroboys - Soft focus
WE - Smugglers

Pop:
Thomas Dybdahl - One Day You'll Dance For Me, New York City
Kings of Convenience - Riot on an empty street
Minor Majority - Up for you and I
Annie - Anniemal
Bertine Zetlitz - Rollerskating

Metal:
Red Harvest - Internal Punishment Programs
Khold – Mørke Gravers Kammer
Mayhem – Chimera
Enslaved – Isa
Darkthrone – Sardonic Wrath

Hip-hop/rap:
Tungtvann - III: Folket Bak Nordavind
Jaa9 & OnklP - Sjåre Brymæ
Gatas Parlament – Fred, frihet & alt gratis
Karpe Diem – Glasskår
Madcon – It’s All A Madcon

Electronica:
Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band - Your New Best Friends
Mental Overdrive - 083
Snuten with friends - We Are The Future
Ost & Kjex - Some, But Not All Cheese Comes From The Moon
Illumination - The Poppy Rocks

Jazz:
Scorch Trio - Luggumt
Lars Horntveth - Pooka
Wibutee - Playmachine
Susanna & The Magical Orchestra - A list of lights and buoys
The Thing - Garage

P3 prize for best song:
National Bank - Tolerate
Annie - Chewing Gum
Jim Stärk - Morning Song
Kings Of Convenience - I’d Rather Dance With You
Euroboys - One Way Street

Live:
Gåte
Tussler
Thomas Dybdahl
Ralph Myerz
WE

Newcomer:
Samsaya
Bonk
Samsaya
The Beautiful People
Annie

Winners will be announced February 5, 2005. Go here for more info and to vote: http://www.alarmweb.org/

New Scandinavian music reviews at Aversionline:

Darkthrone - Sardonic wrath
Uncurbed - A nightmare in daylight

Lots of Scandinavian stuff in the latest Aquarius Records list such as Circle, Darkthrone, a restock of Dungen, The Haunted and tons more: http://www.aquariusrecords.org/cat/newest.html

HeavyMetal.no interviews Fenriz of Darkthrone: http://www.heavymetal.no/show.article.asp?menuid=&artid=1811 (in Norwegian)

Global Domination interviews Fenriz of the legendary Norwegian black-metal band Darkthrone: http://www.statikmajik.com/gd/interviews/Darkthrone_fenriz.php

The End Records will be handling the North American release of Darkthrone's newest album "Sardonic Wrath". No release date has been announced yet.

Fenriz of long-running Norwegian black-metal act Darkthrone has put together a comp highlighting "The Best of Old School Black Metal" for release on September 20 via Snapper Music. While not all the bands included are Scandinavian, it does show a good representation of the origins of the scene. Fenriz personally selected all of the tracks and the accompanying booklet will include liner notes giving his thoughts on each song. The full tracklist for "Darkthrone's Fenriz Presents… The Best Of Old School Black Metal":

01. Blasphemy - Winds of the Black Godz
02. Sarcofago - Satanic Lust
03. Celtic Frost - Dawn of Megiddo
04. Nattefrost - Sluts of Hell
05. Mercyful Fate - Evil
06. Sodom - Burst Command Til War
07. Tormentor - Elisabeth Bathory
08. Aura Noir - Blood Unity
09. Destruction - Curse the Gods
10. Samael - Into the Pentagram
11. Bulldozer - Whisky Time
12. Mayhem - The Freezing Moon
13. Hellhammer - The Third of the Storms
14. Burzum - Ea, Lord of the Deeps
15. Venom - Warhead
16. Bathory - Dies Irae

In some ways, I'm surprised that Burzum made the cut considering the murderous infighting of Count Grishnackh/Varg Vikernes. Then again, his influence and importance is undeniable.