Darkthrone - Astral Fortress (2022) Review

A fairly quick continuation to last year's Eternal Hails..., Darkthrone's new record Astral Fortress is a piece of the same bread. Loaded with an organic sound, traditional heavy / doom metal is wholly embraced once again through the characteristic lens of the band, which is their own but still stubbornly bowing to the ways of the primordial metal. There is no colourful, plagiarised artwork this time, yet it is now something much closer to the real life of the band members and reminiscent of the choice made in Arctic Thunder when it comes to a cover piece. While often advertising a return to black metal practices for several of their recent albums, I fail to hear it and the records don't exert such a vibe at all anymore, but it did put a smirk in my face listening to the middle paced, cold riffs of the closing track "Eon", which give a hint in that direction a bit. Other than that, "Kolbotn, West of the Vast Forests" stands as an unusual interlude for some of its non-symmetric melodies and further from these points, the rest of Astral Fortress is business as usual for Darkthrone. They can still produce a lot of flavourful, old school heavy riffing sequences, the acoustic guitar / synth usage is slight but detectable and the album comes forth as what it is, a nice snapshot of the current state of the band. The structure of the tracks is wonderful, moving from fast to slow and to really slow melodic parts, Nocturno Culto's raspy vocals fit like cherries on cake and the overall production feels natural, as is the band itself. It's great to see that the two share basically all positions in creating the album, from songwriting to execution, and for someone with such longevity, Darkthrone still have some inspiration left. The material is not ground breaking, but the fans will love it, and there might be something for everyone. At the core though, are the 80's. I found the album more consistent than Eternal Hails... to some extent, but these two are siblings. [3/5 - Good]

Darkthrone - Eternal Hails...... (2021) Review

In January this year, Darkthrone's debut Soulside Journey turned 30 years old. While its sound did not resemble what the band would get known for later on, it has made its mark as the full length starting point of quite possibly, the most influential name in black metal. And what is impressive about them is not just the fact that they have maintained the same path since then, it is the case of rather "stubborn" idiosyncrasy when it comes to musical approach. By thinking of their 70's and 80's influences, even if they have had different turns in their style, Darkthrone have really not changed at all till day one. Think of how many bands went astray, or had big changes of heart, or got lost in the ages, while Fenriz and Nocturno Cult kept on paddling. And even if there are clear weak points in their gargantuan discography, a listening course is also a course of this music's history.

While I have not been totally into their punk phase in the 00's, I frequently spent time listening to their albums of the previous decade and especially 2013's The Underground Resistance, which has heavy metal that I have found to enjoy more than a lot of such material out there. I appreciated Arctic Thunder and its camping photograph cover (even though it's not as memorable) and happily bought Old Star from Bergen when I visited the city, parts of it being reminiscent of a little bit of a more intense "black metal" sound that was not there for a long time. All in all, Darkthrone have honed the old school heavy / doom / black / speed metal recipe into the mainstream and through personal playing style as dedicated fans, but not as copycats. With all that said, what is there to listen to from yet another release? How can they succeed in catching the attention once again? As numerous releases, re-releases, countless compilations after compilations, rare pieces in all formats have proven, Darkthrone have reached the state where it doesn't matter what they release, as the fanbase and its roots are stronger. By now, this logo is the black metal equivalent of The Ramones t-shirts in global clothing chain stores.

By the time Eternal Hails...... was announced, first thing to notice is the cover. I am not used to them not using their own artwork, and especially to pick a work that has been used many times before in underground metal, most notably within 90's black metal itself and the Greek band Zephyrous, who also picked the same art. The original piece is named "Pluto and Charon" by David A. Hardy, dates back to 1972, which in turn could have been inspired by a very similar photo from an expedition in the Arctic from the beginning of the previous century). Of course, I could make an easy guess if I were asked which of the two bands asked for copyright permissions to use it for their album, but this picture shares some truth on such topics.

The aspect that you will never take away from this band, is its organic sound. How natural everything sounds is like it was recorded in a much earlier time when technology was still not so invasive to the musical instrument. Eternal Hails...... is a pleasure to listen to from that perspective, just to appreciate the raw and authentic sound of Darkthrone, and also of metal. On its own it doesn't make the record great, but it has always been something to appreciate and probably will not change in the future either, a word that might be unknown to the project anyway. There are five songs in the record that run a bit longer than usual, as the shortest one is above the seven minute mark, and Darkthrone exercise all their prowess on slower heavy / doom tactics. The only surprising part of Eternal Hails......, is by far the last composition "Lost Arcane City of Uppakra", which refers to an archaic Swedish city of the same name (more accurately, Uppåkra), an interesting piece of history with traditional anti-Christian lyrics in case you have missed them. The song's middle part and ending sees the band experimenting a bit with cleaner guitars and background synths that create a space-like feeling (justifying the cover), something I would never expect from Darkthrone but here we are. 

Other than that, Eternal Hails...... is business as usual. After several listens, I noticed it grew a bit more than what I thought of it in an initial listen, but by now I can't help but think that a new Darkthrone album is like a new Motörhead, with a slight twist here and there. I'm sure the fans and the band are more than delighted with such a statement (why change a winning team) but to get more specific about this record, I did find a lot of parts of it just not as hard hitting as expected. The riffs are there, the raspy vocals are present, the melodies reek of the old school, yet Eternal Hails...... feels like it holds back and is going into levels of predictability that would make it music to leave playing, and not to focus on. It's regular Darkthrone. I heard a lot more filthy, traditional doom in the slower parts of the record, but this time, the band doesn't punch as hard. It doesn't seem like an effortless work on their part, but often the tracks are dragged more than need to reach these high durations, constituting in pieces with fine moments in between dull instances. Honestly, I can imagine older fans, who have been following the genre closely for many years, discarding this as mediocre very quickly. 

As a person who didn't grow up as this band grew up, I haven't been let down by them as much as I have been blown away. By now, I follow Darkthrone from a distance so if most of the music in the album is enjoyable, then it passes the mark. Eternal Hails...... is a slight let down compared to their previous record and not one I will be re-listening a lot, but there's surely something to mention for parts of its music, as a hint of a new idea from them (not innovative, but from the same, aforementioned influences they have). "Wake of the Awakened" and "His Master's Voice" are tracks I liked almost whole, and the rest of it is just nice Darkthrone tunes, worthy to have a known Chernobyl meme attached to them. 

Damage: 3/5 [Good]

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AOTY 2017: Top 10 EPs

Shuffling through releases of my favorite format, I saw new violent Svartidauði material, as well as Sinmara and finally another One Tail, One Head EP. Great new bands come around, like Abkehr, Daeva, Chevalier, Thantifaxath’s mini album appealed to me more than their full length a couple of years ago and Poison Blood was a reasonable / nice crossover. Fever Nest was the best gift of the year and close to the epitome of filth, just how it’s done. I want to change my approach to end year lists drastically in the future, but I hope this kind will stick around.

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10. Poison Blood – Poison Blood

9. Chevalier – A Call to Arms

8. One Tail, One Head – Firebirds b/w Prowess

7. Oranssi Pazuzu - Kevät / Värimyrsky

6. Daeva – Pulsing Dark Absorptions

5. Svartidauði – Untitled

4. Thantifaxath - Void Masquerading As Matter

3. Abkehr – In Asche

2. Sinmara – Within the Weaves of Infinity

1. Fever Nest – Black Carrion Fowl

Bullet Ratings #3

• Abkehr – In Asche (EP) [6.0]
• Carach Angren - Dance and Laugh Amongst the Rotten [6.0]
• Dawn of Ashes - Daemonolatry Gnosis [6.5]
• Death Fortress - Triumph of the Undying [7.0]
• Heresiarch - Death Ordinance [7.0]
• Impetuous Ritual - Blight Upon Martyred Sentience [3.0]
• Rimruna - Der Hatz Entronnen [5.0]
• Slægt - Domus Mysterium [6.0]
• Subjugation - Caustic Visions [5.0]
• Time Lurker – Time Lurker [5.75]

Countess - Sermons of the Infidel [EP] (2013)

Country | Netherlands
Genre | Black / Heavy Metal
Label | Self-released
Dynamic range | DR7

| Ancient fires are lit again |

Countess have a huge history and discography behind them, rooting back to the early nineties and the beginnings of the second wave. With medium ranged but steady and solid albums, it's a band that has lived in the underground for more than two decades and the mastermind behind it, Orlok, still has some ideas to put into practice. My first experience with the band was when I found their first four albums, back when I was listening to any black metal release of 1990-1995 I could get my hands on. They were a bit unstable musically, but he managed to snap out of the fatigue and release some really good albums in the mid 2000s, like Heilig Vuur and Blazing Flames of War. I still need some time to examine all his albums more closely.

Sermons of the Infidel is the latest EP by the band and it was released in the early summer of this year, as a digital release. I think it was only released digitally because of the missing budget to finance physical copies, but it doesn't matter that much to me. Despite being an EP, it's thirty five minutes length could easily fit for a full record release of a regular band, but not Countess of course. Orlok chooses to release full lengths that feature over an hour of music at least. Nonetheless, a booklet of the album is included in the digital purchase. It's also not completely an one man project anymore, since there is another member named Zagan that plays the guitars (he has helped the band with albums before).

The production here is pretty gratifying and by no means noisy. It sounds polished and warm, keeping a specific tone over the album which is not comparable to shitty recording by an obscure black metal band. The drums, the guitars, the vocals and the bass are highly audible, allocating the listener with a legit result that gives the music the space it deserves. However, one can say that it is a bit overdone with the mixing, as it's almost sterile as a whole and lacks any ounce of dirt that some fans actually crave for. A lot of work has been done in the studio and this production fits to the essence of a digital release, as it relegates to "digitalized" sound.

The tracks of the record represent very well the uncompromising playing style of Orlok, which can not be labeled in one specific genre at all. Paying respect to the old underground attitude and classic black and heavy metal bands, Sermons of the Infidel includes simple compositions of lot's of guitar riffing and synths, the two main elements of the record. One can listen to various styles and subgenres of metal in there, knitted nicely by a really talented musician who knows what he's doing by now. Listening to tracks like "Child of the Millenia" and "Son of the Dragon", you can't directly match it with another band and it just sounds like Countess, proving it's originality even after many years.

A component that does not go completely well with the shiny sound is his vocals. Coming from the extreme underground, Orlok still possesses a harsh and ominous tongue that spits his anger perfectly, but with the instrumentation not following the same menace, it sometimes fail in delivering. It also doesn't serve the more heavy metal driven moments of the albums like in the song "Chosen by the Gods", which im my opinion, would be great even if it was an instrumental track. The record is generally middle paced and the total of eight songs go from three to five minutes, focusing on building up atmosphere and melody over than brutality.

The two tracks that I think are the most memorable and stand out on top among the rest, are the first two. "Hymn to the Gods of Yore" has an awesome synth line and great lyrics, as well as very good melodies for you to enjoy by the time the album opens, since it's also the first track of the record. The second "Trumpets of Dawn" contains a couple of very cool riffs and a more nostalgic synth part in moments, as well as a melodic solo towards the end. I could not find the lyrics for this or any other track of the album except the introductory one, but still the vocals are distinguishable for the most part.

In general, Sermons of the Infidel is a nice record with the familiar Countess feel. It's easy to reach to a conclusion of disliking them because of their character, but after a couple of listens it's easy to recognize some things that worth the listen and even if it's not a full album, it does show what the band sounds like today. I myself enjoyed a couple of tracks a lot and I think this combination of black and heavy metal is meant only to serve underground quality music and nothing more. For newcomers, I suggest you get a taste of their first albums as well and then go into this, there is something for everyone in the box.

DAMAGE: 7.5/10

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Satan's Host - Virgin Sails (2013) Review

Country | USA
Genre | Blackened Heavy Metal
Date | November 19th, 2013
Label | Moribund Records

| Darkness casts its shadow on man |

I thought I would never fully enjoy heavy metal again because of the bands' constant and maybe unwilling struggle to get too shreddy or too old school, with ballarina singers and unexceptional songs, effect-driven, lacking spirit. Even when a new band arises that I find solid, it's because of their passion to bring the eighties back and succeeding in that. Now, Satan's Host avoided all this and made their way to a new album that I enjoyed the most for this year when it comes to clean singing metal. Maybe because they went through a period of black / death in the nineties, which is pretty much a Midas touch for any band. Just kidding of course, but with a sincere perspective.

The band was created in 1977 and I have only heard their debut album Metal from Hell that was released in 1986, which was right on the spot for it's time but yet not completely bewitching. I lost track of them and only came across the new release because of the amazing cover (as usual) and the funny album title, hoping for something at least bearable. Lot's bands fade away over the years and these guys have a huge run already.

Right of the back, the concept revolves around darkness and evil with some shots of occultism, the perfect and appropriate themes of bands into the originator of extreme metal, much better than fairy tales and pink make-up, as most of the mainstream bands do nowadays. Finally, I get to read some wonderful lyrics from a newcomer heavy metal band, since i'm way too critical on the matter, this is serious business. The have done Necronomicon references in the past and their approach once again is poetic. Naturally, they are accurately embellished by the marvelous voice of Leviathan Thirisen, the band's singer (who played in Jag Panzer before Satan's Host). The vocals sound direct and powerful, hitting high notes as well as a few torn out screams and growls, as If the guy was born for this position. The double singing in various moments in the album is magnificent and the whole performance delivers exquisite singing fortitude.

Musically, Virgin Sails is one interesting and mauling composition after the other. The production is polished and presents a very friendly environment for the listener to headbang on, while the songs offer plenty of neckbreaking moments, built on furious riffs and solos, as well as pummeling beats all the way. The drummer of the band is called Evil Little Hobbit and seems to be influenced by classic heavy and death metal drumming all the way. While the main fills are close to the regular pattern, there are several moments where he gets more intense will blast beats and complex playing, making the contribution of the drums notable during the album. The reason they are now labeled as blackened heavy metal is not only because of the lyrical theme, but because of the music itself, which is one step further than most of the scene's bands, with more variety as well.

I noticed allusions to various genres in the songs, like the stoner-like riff in the middle of "Dichotomy", the harsh vocals refering to black / death in "Reanimated Anomalies", the Enslaved-driven introduction guitar melody in "Infinite Impossibilities" and the black metal part of "Vaporous of the Blood", not to mention the grungy interlude "Taromati". The groovy beginnings of "Of Beast and Men" and the self-titled track remind of modern groove / death metal too. The overall guitar work is astonishing and worthy of any title, because of the hammering riffing that co-works with the coming and going, wondrous solos.

From what I heard, this is a great album with lot's of ingredients for everyone. I guarantee you won't be listening to the same song again and again, more like you'll be astounded by the variety. It focuses and stays close to the core of heavy metal, but often wanders off in other subgenres without losing track of the flow, keeping up a standard of quality as a whole.

DAMAGE: 8.0/10

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Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here (2013) Review

Alice In Chains "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here"
Spring 2013, EMI Records

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In the unplugged album of Alice in Chains in 1996, there was a sentence on Inez's bass: Friends Don't Let Friends Get Friends Haircuts. It was directed to the members of Metallica, who had then cut their hair. Today, Alice in Chains cut their hair as well. Years have passed, the blood boiling attitude of youth has faded away, right? And Alice in Chains are now... What?

"Black Gives Way To Blue" was a decent album, it might not fill the holes completely, but it had something. The absence of Layne Staley was obvious, but Jerry could still hold their sound together and that new singer seemed talented. Tragic news though, Mike Starr passing away a couple of years ago. Two founding members of the band are now gone. News of another album struck me with an amount of doubt, even though i always give them some space, since they are one of my favourite bands. Sadly, "The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here" does not live up to my expectations, since it barely touches mediocrity.

Maybe its because i generally disapprove the band's decisions and management the late years, they have stepped into the world of mainstream music, they are softer and easy-listening, comparisons with their first years are inevitable. The once depressive angry songs, are now mellow and unimpressive. The record starts with two solid songs that have the groovy slow riffs and the melodic vocals, a classic characteristic of them. A typical AiC fan will enjoy this two songs, as a substitute to the band's good years and a need for new music. From there on though, there are only a couple of songs that worth listening to. It might sound good to a person that has just found out about them, or a person that is into rock artists that promote themselves with video clips on TV, but it huts a little to the fan of the other side. I know a band might change throughout the years and they are free to do so, but this effort is not of their calibre. Five good songs out of twelve is not a good statistic, compared to the masterpieces they have released in the past.

"Phantom Limb" has a catchy intro, and a great build up, the main body is sweet as can be, generally it is a kick ass song. The rest of the songs around it though, are weak and lack emotion. I think that is the main disadvantage of the whole album. It sounds good the first time, everyone's talking nice about it, about how they reproduce grunge, but it really lacks the emotion and power it should have. Im a passionate fan of their first albums not just because they are better albums, they also have that rebellious attitude of teenagers on crack, you can feel they deliver. They are not 18 anymore, progress is natural, right?

In general, im not satisfied with this new album. It seems they have decided to change, im not judging on that and i will stick to the albums i like. AiC of 2013 are a different band, compared to AiC of the early 90s, and it will not be a band i'll be listening to from now on.

DAMAGE: 4.0/10

Door to Door Promotion: Infectonator & Dungeon Beast & Ghost Tower

These releases were sent to me via email and they are posted by request.

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We have three releases by three newcomer bands worshipping the old school heavy/thrash metal sound. There are links provided with the permission of the guys so no problem. Check out:

Infectonator - Brainfuckers [EP]

Debut recording of Lansing, Michigan blackened thrash metal band with frontman of Sauron.

Bandcamp | Facebook

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Dungeon Beast - Demo 2012

Underground thrash/heavy metal with Wastelander frontman.

Bandcamp | Facebook

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Ghost Tower - Head of Night

Female-fronted heavy traditional/doom metal with some thrash elements also in the mix.  Soon to be released in cassette format on Germany's MetalPunxRex label.

Bandcamp | Facebook

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Hellhammer - Satanic Rites (Demo, 1983)

Album: Satanic Rites (Demo)
Genre: Black / Heavy / Speed Metal
Label: Prowling Death Records
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: Official

This demo was originally released in tape format only and i would be happy to have an original copy of them, but i don't. I have it as a CD and its probably unofficial since i remember i got it from a local metal zine several years ago. They even put a wrong tracklist on the back cover with 11 songs instead of 12. Like that isn't cult enough for you.

It surely is amazing how this is one of the most important acts of the first wave of black metal, they have influenced so many bands with yet few releases and short active time (1982-1984). But hey, when Von woke up again and release albums, what can we say. At least these guys here haven't fucked everything up.

Grave Digger - Knights of the Cross (1998) [Remastered 2006]

Album: Knights of the Cross

Genre: Heavy Metal

Label: GUN Records

Website: Facebook

Concept albums are often more complete than others when it comes to the lyrical and artistic aspect of them, both characteristics that do not have to do with music itself, as i think, a good album is good not only on the compositional side but also on other elements. Grave Digger deal with some awesome subjects of the history of the church and more here, you can see a detailed and wonderful presentation here. This is the remastered version of the album, it has some bonus songs and a digital remaster of the whole album.

Grave Digger were once among my favourite heavy metal bands since 5-6 years ago that was the only genre i would listen, i was fascinated with all the albums by these dudes. This one is by far my favourite because of the topics it shows, it contains some of my favourite songs by them, it has an amazing and powerful hype as the album flows and its a wonderful piece of solid heavy metal. I managed to see them live at a festival the past summer, they are pretty energetic for a group of 150 year olds.

Saigon & Wizz - One Must Die / Crazy Games (1993)

Saigon & Wizz "One Must Die / Crazy Games"

1993, Hot Metal Records

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1. Saigon - And One Must Die 2. Saigon – Black Sinner 3. Saigon – Evil Night 4. Saigon – Feel The Power 5. Saigon – Live For Today 6. Saigon – Under Attack 7. Saigon – The Hunted One 8. Saigon – Game Of Mystery 9. Wizz – Smash 10. Wizz – Wonderland 11. Wizz – Upside Down 12. Wizz – You're Not Alone 13. Wizz – Crazy Games 14. Wizz – Not To Old To Rock'n'Roll 15. Wizz – Far Away 16. Wizz – Movin' On

This post is the second member of the Heavy Metal Alliance which is basically a combo of two albums that were released as a 2 to 1 pac under that weird label with the lame name i have not heard before. Saigon and Wizz here, typical heavy metal bands in the same wave as Karo and the rest of the bands that will come. I sense its a bit rare too, i collect CDs but i dont have the collector's vein, since i don't hunt first presses or anything.

Karo - Heavy Birthday (1988)

Album: Heavy Birthday
Genre: Heavy Metal / Hard Rock
Label: Frontrow Records
Quality: CD-Rip 320kbps
Website: No freaking website (Listen instead)

Ι had informed everyone about a treasure chest full of colourful happy goods disguised as a dirty bag in a garbage bin. I had, in my Wolfcry post a couple of months ago, so i believe its time to get started with the Heavy Metal Alliance. Why is it called like this? Because i thought it was a sweet name about five minutes ago and since they all were an unexpected gift around the same style, i should label them as a gang.

So, first and proud member of the HMA (Already into acronyms, see? Its popular) is the one and only album by the german Karo, a mix of hard rock with some 80s heavy metal elements, nice and nostalgic about the particular era. Keyboards are also used in the songs. The frontman later recorded some other albums, but i do not really care.

Download (Depositfiles) Download (Filestock)

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And some subjects irrelevant, because hey, this is a personal blog:

1) All hail the HMA.
2) Im writing an exam on Linear Algebra tomorrow and im sitting here doing nothing for you. Not because im addicted to this awful and dark thing, for you.
3) This song is awesome. You heard me.
3) I might post a big package tomorrow, depending on my mood, which depends on the results of number 2.
4) The Living Doorway is up again. All of us, the rest of the bloggers, shall rest.

Darkthrone - Dark Thrones And Black Flags (2008)

Country: Norway

Genre: Black Metal / Punk / Heavy Metal

Label: Peaceville Records

Website: Facebook / Myspace

You cannot have hard feelings for this guy. Throughout the years Darkthrone have been one of the most controversial black metal bands, they were around in the heart of the norwegian everything back then and the scene owes them a lot. They changed later, and this is a more punkish version of them, i still recognize the old school touch and i love this kind of raw songs that they create.

There is nothing that black metal in this release though, i just wanted to keep the flag high, hahaha... The whole thing is just awesome. Just see for yourselves. Im glad there are a couple of bands from the glorious 90s Norway that haven't put their asses to the shithouse after all these years.

Lonewolf - Made In Hell (2008)

Country: France
Genre: Heavy Metal
Label: Eat Metal Records
Website: Facebook / Myspace

I suspect the die hards of the genre will be pleased with this post. Lonewolf describe the way above average heavy metal band: Been around for 20 years or so, few and excellent releases (5 full length albums) and the accomplishment of staying underground and not humiliating themselves acting like hairy rockstars.

This release is my favourite by them and im glad i have it, its a very powerful album with cool songs and lyrics. Another aspect i like about them is that they don't have those high vocals frontmen usually do, its more of growing, similar to Grave Digger, i prefer that so yeah.

Ross The Boss - New Metal Leaders (2008)

Ross The Boss "New Metal Leaders"

2008, AFM Records

 

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Side project of Ross The Boss from Manowar, they have released two full length albums, this one and another dating in 2010. I saw them live here and i bought a copy of this, its one of the few albums that i have signed by the band. 

I dislike Manowar, this album is quite nice though, it has that heavy metal tuning and the whole package of lyrics, titles, riffs, solos, vocals and everything. There are solid songs like Blood Of Knives and Matador, the cup of tea for a metalhead everywhere.