ALBUM REVIEW: Old Star – Darkthrone
Although DARKTHRONE will always be considered a pioneering black metal band (A Blaze In A Northern Sky, Under a Funeral Moon and Transylvanian Hunger are still all cited as hugely important works in the genre) their musical output nowadays goes far beyond the restraints of one solitary genre tag. Since 2006, the dynamic duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have incorporated elements of thrash, punk, speed metal, crust punk and traditional heavy metal into their mixing pot of musicality. Now, comes Old Star, the band’s staggering 17th studio album.
Whilst the band may have long-departed from an all-out assault of the primitive and frostbitten execution from their most notorious work, the essence of black metal beats defiantly at the heart of Old Star. Across the record’s six tracks, there is blackened edge to the music on offer, helping the duo maintain a whole lot of bite in their delivery. Opening number I Muffle Your Inner Choir boasts a formidable sound from Fenriz‘s drums whilst Nocturno Culto‘s riffing and vocal barks harken one back to the era of True Norwegian Black Metal. The track maintains a steady and consistent pace until the band switch dynamically to a mid-tempo chug that transfixes your attention. A strong start to the record.
The Hardship of the Scots slows the tempo right down in its first half as the measured and mid-tempo grooves of the guitars dominate proceedings and although it lacks the venomous bite of its predecessor, the track still packs a mighty punch and feels akin to the heavy metal bands of old. That is until DARKTHRONE snap the pace as the tempo soars to a irresistible beat and occasional flutters of lead play demonstrate a more melodic edge to their more typical ferocious sound.
If The Hardship of the Scots gave a the first hint to a more layered construct to the sound of DARKTHRONE, as the record develops, it becomes apparent that this is a record that is dynamic both in its delivery but in its mood and feelings. The title track, Old Star, is a doom metal-esque number that feels akin to the work of BLACK SABBATH and its simplicity is its charm, whilst Alp Man‘s intoxicating grooves and dynamic tempo changes has you held under its spell throughout its five and a half minute runtime. It’s moments like this that demonstrate that DARKTHRONE‘s career trajectory is not just evolutionary but that the music on offer in the here and now is a more complicated beast than one may originally presume.
Duke of Gloat returns to more familiar territory as Fenriz combines effortlessly with Nocturno Culto to create a whirlwind listening experience. Blackened riffs come thick and fast, the drumming is yet again consistently solid and Culto‘s vocal snarls hold their own in the musical maelstrom. The Key Is Inside The Wall brings proceedings to a close in grand fashion. Speed-driven riffs ebb and flow throughout the track’s early moments and the mid-tempo stomp in its second half are so utterly satisfying, you will find it irresistible to keep your head from banging. Laced with metallic edge, the riffs on offer here are simply first class, and it ties up the record nicely, ending things as they began; with an all-out aural assault.
Whilst they will always be remembered for the unholy trinity of albums in the 1990s, DARKTHRONE have remained consistent in both the quality of their studio output and dedication for crafting the music that they themselves want to hear. Their adoration for the cause unquestioned, their ability to avoid buckling to trends is admirable; Old Star stands as a record that defiantly waves the flag for raw and gritty heavy metal. Long may it continue.
Rating: 8/10
Old Star is out now via Peaceville Records.
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