The band Darkthrone has released their newest album, Old Star. If you don’t have it, then you should definitely look into it now if you a fan of Black Metal.
Old Star takes you back into the old school metal vibe of the 80’s. The band has stated this. It is also very apparent in the songs themselves. Artists Gylve Fenriz Nagell and Ted “Nocturno Culto” Skjellum worked to create the six riff-heavy songs on this album. Not a single one of them leave you feeling disappointed or unsatisfied.
The riffs that Darkthrone are known for are all very well composed and well backed by the heavy drumming behind them. Not a single one of them sounds like they would be better suited in a different song. The instrumentals range from linear, to long constructs with different definable points to them, and the lyrics and vocals done by Skejellum fit well over it all.
Up until the fifth song, ‘Duke of Gloat’, most of the songs have a somewhat doom metal vibe to them, and are slow and heavy. This changes with ‘Duke of Gloat’ which starts fast and heavy with a great riff, drumming, and good lyrics to match. To me, this song encompasses old school metal vibe the most, especially with the intermission around 4:00 with a guitar solo over the regular instrumental. Ugh, mindgasm!
Overall, Old Star is a very solidly done album and does more to reaffirm my belief (bias) that most good metal comes from Norway/Scandinavian countries.
If you haven’t already looked at it, go check it out! It is available on digital formats and CD!
Follow Darkthrone on social media for more information on how to acquire your copy HERE !
Track Listing:
I Muffle Your Inner Choir
The Hardship of the Scots
Old Star
Alp Man
Duke of Gloat
The Key is Inside the Wall
Spotify:
PHOTO CREDIT: All photos and music ©Darkthrone