Darkthrone – Pre-Historic Metal
Almost four decades after helping to define the look, sound and feel of “True” Norwegian Black Metal, Darkthrone remain one of Metal’s most stubbornly independent institutions. While many of their contemporaries have either chased after nostalgia or polished and adapted their sound to suit more mainstream tastes, Darkthrone continue to simply follow their own oddly eccentric path, and this has never been more evident than on their latest release.
Pre-Historic Metal sees the band digging deep into the ancient roots of Metal and delivering an album that feels less like a modern release and more like a relic from some forgotten underground scene. The duo have spent the last two decades moving away from pure Black Metal and embracing traditional Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Crust Punk and even Classic Rock influences and on this latest release these elements seem to have fused into one of the band’s most focused and enjoyable records in recent years. For anyone expecting a return to the icy masterpieces of “Transilvanian Hunger” or “A Blaze in the Northern Sky” however, then I’m afraid you’ll once again likely be disappointed!
As the album name seems to allude to, one of the main talking points with this album has to be the production. It completely side-steps so much of modern Metal’s apparent obsession with precision. There’s no drum triggering, quantisation or vocal tuning going on here; the guitar tone is thick and earthy while the drums sound like…well an actual drum kit! The album overall sounds warm and organic but most importantly real! Nothing feels over-produced and it has a sound that prioritises atmosphere and character over technical perfection; it’s the sound of real humans playing real instruments who have completely abandoned any concern for trends, commercial appeal or expectations and I’m right here for it.
Aside from the production, for me this album’s greatest strength lies in its riffs. Every song seems to be built around solid, memorable guitar work, bringing to mind the sounds of bands likes Celtic Frost, Bathory, Mercyful Fate and early Black Sabbath. The band seem to be channeling their influences here with pride and enthusiasm but without it ever feeling like mere imitation and despite its primitive atmosphere and doom-laden weight, the album radiates the enthusiasm of two lifelong Metal fans still excited by the music that inspired them decades ago; and that passion can be infectious.
Although rarely discussed in terms of technical excellence or immense talent individually, when these two musicians come together something quite magical happens. Nocturno Culto’s performance here is a real highlight; his weathered raspy vocals have aged well and they seem to convey a sense of authority that few other Extreme Metal vocalists can replicate, while Fenriz’s work as ever injects real personality and also an unpredictability that not many other musicians could match. However, what makes Pre-Historic Metal particularly successful is its balance. While some recent Darkthrone albums have felt like “collections” of ideas, this record possesses a real sense of cohesion which allows the songs to flow naturally and create an immersive experience that definitely rewards listening to the album as a whole rather than picking individual tracks.
The glaring elephant in the room however, has to be the fact that Darkthrone never seem to be taking themselves too seriously and anyone who follows the band on social media can attest to this; Fenriz in particular can at times come across as a real joker. The album cover and the videos for the singles from this latest release did indeed make me smile and I’m almost certain that while at the same time remaining serious, experienced and highly influential musicians, an element of what the band produce is simply done for a bit of a laugh between themselves!
Pre-Historic Metal won’t convert listeners who have never connected with Darkthrone’s contemporary evolution, but for those like myself that appreciate the band’s ongoing celebration of Heavy Metal’s earliest forms, it stands as one of their strongest recent releases. Ancient, rugged, and proudly out of step with the modern world, it serves as another reminder that Darkthrone’s greatest strength has always been their refusal to stand still.
Rating: 8/10 – Great
Label: Peaceville Records
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Wayne McAlloon | Now Spinning Magazine
