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country: NOR
label: Displeased
format: TS
Condition: New
Old Star displays a mastery of the art of the riff, with its 6 epic tracks taking in the best of the old school of Heavy and Extreme Metal combined with a large dose of Doom channelled through the grime of the underground.
With the highly revered Norwegians remaining ever-dedicated to the art of the riff after 35 years of existence, Darkthrone returns for album number nineteen and a new dose of Metallic godliness. On the back of 2019’s triumphant Old Star opus, the duo of Nocturno Culto & Fenriz present a 41 minute maelstrom of Epic Black Heavy Metal across five sprawling compositions. Organic and dynamic, the album is an exploration of the finest vintage Metal and the best of Doom, all delivered in the unmistakable Darkthrone style (whilst also incorporating instruments such as the Moog to further expand upon these soundscapes).
Eschewing the process of using their own Necrohell II studios - which has served the band so well over the last 15 years - and welcoming a change of environment and the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, Eternal Hails…… was recorded at Chaka Khan Studio in Oslo, and engineered by Ole Ovstedal and Silje Høgevold, breathing new life into the sound while retaining the essence of Darkthrone’s natural, raw feeling.
The cover artwork features the piece Pluto and Charon (1972), from renowned science fiction artist David A. Hardy; a hugely inspirational image for both Fenriz and Nocturno Culto spanning several decades, and this also stands as a symbolic link between the genre-bending styles apparent on Darkthrone’s earliest works, to those same traits evident on Eternal Hails….
CD in jewel case
Carried on the brisk wind of eager rock, with foundations in black, thrash, doom and heavy metal, Astral Fortress is the 2022 album of stellar, eclectic old metal from the legendary Darkthrone.
With a seemingly endless dungeon full of heavy metal influences channelled through Darkthrone’s dynamic riff-machine, plus increasing inspirations taken from their own back catalogue, Darkthrone has become very much its own beast within the metal world. Though sprinkled with atmospheric touches, such as synthesisers and mellotron, the Darkthrone sound remains stripped to the core, primitive and organic.
Astral Fortress was recorded at Chaka Khan Studios in Oslo, the same location used for the Eternal Hails album, with Ole Øvstedal and Silje Høgevold.
From their formation back in 1986, to becoming one of Norways’s finest musical exports (with a number of highly revered black metal masterpieces released in the early 1990s helping to solidify their legacy), Darkthrone has continued to evolve and challenge in equal measure, throughout their illustrious recording career spanning over three decades. And now, the ever-productive duo of Nocturno and Fenriz continue their own metallic saga with a new selection of fine, vintage sounding headbanging classics in the making.
Darkthrone's legendary 1989 demo, including additional tracks from Bootleg TV (1989) and rare rehearsal tracks from 1990.
Darkthrone started in 1986 under the name of Black Death. Although becoming known the world over as a black metal band crucial to the lasting legacy of the genre, Darkthrone began more as an extreme metal band utilising elements of thrash, death and doom metal into their early compositions.
Cromlech was Darkthrone’s final demo release, before a deal was inked with Peaceville Records. The demo was recorded in 1989 with the line-up of Gylve Nagell (Drums), Ted Skjellum (Guitars/vocals), Ivar Enger (Guitars) and Dag Nilsen (Bass); a line-up which would remain in place for the revered Soulside Journey and A Blaze in the Northern Sky albums.
As well as the iconic demo itself – containing tracks which would go on to form part of the Soulside Journey debut - this release also contains additional tracks from the Bootleg TV Oslo recordings in 1989, including a cover of Celtic Frost’s Visual Aggression. Also includes a trio of instrumental tracks from a rehearsal tape originally made for Peaceville founder Paul “Hammy” Halmshaw in 1990.
Vinyl with printed inner sleeve. Featuring the original Cromlech art/logo.
With a legacy of audial treasures now spanning more than 35 years & with the fountain of creativity ever flowing, Norway’s Darkthrone return with their latest venture through classic riffs & vintage sounding metal in the shape of the epic new seven track studio opus, ‘It Beckons Us All’.
Seeing the longstanding duo of Fenriz & Nocturno Culto uniting once more, ‘It Beckons Us All’ follows on the heels of 2022’s revered ‘Astral Fortress’ album, with what could be considered an even more refined, challenging & diverse set of timeless metal anthems from the uncompromising trailblazers; from the melodic, to the sombre & atmospheric, to the blackened dirges emanating from Darkthrone’s highly distinguishable riffing, as well as a nod to influences such as Celtic Frost along the way.
Recorded once again at Chaka Khan Studios in the band’s native Norway, ‘It Beckons Us All’ was mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door, with artwork courtesy of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak.
With an expansive catalogue consisting of a multitude of various genre classics, Darkthrone first arrived on the global stage with their atmospheric & technically accomplished death metal debut, ‘Soulside Journey’ back in 1991, followed by the milestone in black metal that is ‘A Blaze In The Northern Sky’ released only the following year, after the intended second album ‘Goatlord’ was essentially scrapped to make way for something more primitive & paving the way for Darkthrone’s close association with the black metal genre over many years. And so, with an endlessly progressing (and even regressing) evolution which has seen the band successfully delving into many sub-genres of metal & punk, ‘It Beckons Us All’ stands as one of the band’s most complete & vast works to date.
This edition of 'It Beckons Us All' is presented on Nocturno Culto’s own limited grey marble vinyl, with printed inner sleeve containing lyrics.
With a legacy of audial treasures now spanning more than 35 years & with the fountain of creativity ever flowing, Norway’s Darkthrone return with their latest venture through classic riffs & vintage sounding metal in the shape of the epic new seven track studio opus, ‘It Beckons Us All’.
Seeing the longstanding duo of Fenriz & Nocturno Culto uniting once more, ‘It Beckons Us All’ follows on the heels of 2022’s revered ‘Astral Fortress’ album, with what could be considered an even more refined, challenging & diverse set of timeless metal anthems from the uncompromising trailblazers; from the melodic, to the sombre & atmospheric, to the blackened dirges emanating from Darkthrone’s highly distinguishable riffing, as well as a nod to influences such as Celtic Frost along the way.
Recorded once again at Chaka Khan Studios in the band’s native Norway, ‘It Beckons Us All’ was mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door, with artwork courtesy of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak.
With an expansive catalogue consisting of a multitude of various genre classics, Darkthrone first arrived on the global stage with their atmospheric & technically accomplished death metal debut, ‘Soulside Journey’ back in 1991, followed by the milestone in black metal that is ‘A Blaze In The Northern Sky’ released only the following year, after the intended second album ‘Goatlord’ was essentially scrapped to make way for something more primitive & paving the way for Darkthrone’s close association with the black metal genre over many years. And so, with an endlessly progressing (and even regressing) evolution which has seen the band successfully delving into many sub-genres of metal & punk, ‘It Beckons Us All’ stands as one of the band’s most complete & vast works to date.
DOUBLE-DISC 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION OF DARKTHRONE'S CLASSIC FIFTH ALBUM OF CELTIC FROSTFUELLED BLACK METAL, INCLUDING NEWLY RESTORED AUDIO MASTER, PLUS ADDITIONAL DISC WITH COMMENTARY FROM FENRIZ.
'Panzerfaust', Darkthrone's fifth album was originally released in 1995 on the Norwegian label, Moonfog (the label previously owned by Satyr of Satyricon). The album was recorded similarly to their previous release, 'Transilvanian Hunger', in that it was written & recorded solely by Fenriz at his home 'Necrohell' studio, with Nocturno Culto later adding vocals.
'Panzerfaust' was largely inspired by the works of Celtic Frost, a long-time favourite of the Darkthrone members & also included songs in the Bathory style, a follow-on to the faster tempo of the tracks featured on 'Transilvanian Hunger'. 'Panzerfaust' is also notable for including some of the most raw & primal vocals in black metal - completely well suited to the music on display & the misanthropic nature of the band at the time. With its feast of Frost-fuelled riffing, 'Panzerfaust' is rightly hailed one of THE classic Darkthrone black metal albums, whilst also featuring lyrics written by Varg Vikernes.
This edition of ‘Panzerfaust’ is presented on double-disc CD format & includes a newly restored audio master for the album’s 30th anniversary, plus the 2010 commentary disc from Fenriz with his recollections on the tracks & the time period.
DOUBLE-DISC EDITION OF THE ICONIC 1992 BLACK METAL CLASSIC FROM DARKTHRONE, INCLUDING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER, PLUS ADDITIONAL DISC WITH COMMENTARY FROM FENRIZ.
’A Blaze In The Northern Sky’, Darkthrone's official second album, was originally released in 1992 & was without question one of the blueprints for the Black Metal scene, spearheading the evolution of the early second wave movement in Norway & beyond. It was hailed on release as an album of true scene-shifting greatness, following their more death metal focussed debut, ’Soulside Journey’.
The rawness apparent on the album (recorded at Creative Studios, the same location as Mayhem's legendary Deathcrush was put to tape), was unusual for the time & an antithesis to the usual metal production values & standards during the period. With this, Darkthrone's statement of attitude & intent was clear & their status as masters of Norwegian black metal was set.
This edition of 'A Blaze In The Northern Sky' is presented on double-disc CD format & includes the audio master created for the album’s 30th anniversary in line with the original 1992 version, plus the 2012 commentary disc from Fenriz with his recollections on the tracks & the time period.
DOUBLE-DISC EDITION OF DARKTHRONE'S 1993 PURE NORWEGIAN BLACK METAL MASTERPIECE, INCLUDING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER, PLUS ADDITIONAL DISC WITH COMMENTARY FROM FENRIZ.
Darkthrone began life in the late 80’s as a thrash/death metal act & progressed through technical death/doom metal experimentation to become legends of the black metal world & one of the original leading bands of the Norwegian scene, as well as inspiring a whole generation of metal bands, as they continue as strong as ever to this day.
‘Under A Funeral Moon’, Darkthrone's third album, was originally released by Peaceville in 1993. The album is a bleak reflection of contemporary times, featuring harsh guitar riffage & hateful vocals in what was the band’s first 100% pure black metal opus; a work completely stripped of the death metal traces of former releases & in its place, a stark & primitive execution. This was aided by an intentionally lo-fi sound that is powerfully cold & entirely unconcerned with any modern-day aesthetics. ‘Under A Funeral Moon’ is the album that many Darkthrone fans hail as the ultimate manifesto for Black Metal.
This edition of ‘Under A Funeral Moon’ is presented on double-disc CD format & includes an audio master created for the album’s 30th anniversary in line with the original 1993 version, plus the 2013 commentary disc from Fenriz with his recollections on the tracks & the time period.
DOUBLE-DISC EDITION OF DARKTHRONE’S LEGENDARY 1994 BLACK METAL ALBUM, INCLUDING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY MASTER, PLUS ADDITIONAL DISC WITH COMMENTARY FROM FENRIZ.
Darkthrone began life in the late 80’s as a thrash/death metal act & progressed through technical death/doom metal experimentation to become legends of the black metal world & one of the original leading bands of the Norwegian scene, as well as inspiring a whole generation of metal bands.
Famously written & recorded over a period of just 2 weeks & featuring the iconic photocopied front cover, ’Transilvanian Hunger’ features primitive guitar riffs over a monotonous drum beat creating a feel of hypnotic starkness with its blend of Von, Burzum & Bathory. Over the years the album has become representative of the definitive 90’s Norwegian black metal sound & style, often copied but never bettered over the past 2 decades. The album was recorded with Fenriz’ ’Necrohell’ studio & was the first release where the band became a duo, following the departure of guitarist Zephyrous.
This edition of ‘Transilvanian Hunger’ is presented on double-disc CD format & includes an audio master created for the album’s 30th anniversary in line with the original 1994 version, plus the 2014 commentary disc from Fenriz with his recollections on the tracks & the time period.
