Darkthrone--Sardonic Wrath
Moonfog/The End 2004
An old colleague once proclaimed black metal was the new punk rock. Whether you agree with that view or not, there is no doubt if the dark arts of heavy have a punk rock conscience it's Darkthrone. Their new release Sardonic Wrath is an impassioned hail to the bands who provided this style its prototype. Get ready for the real deal.
If you're more into style than substance, be advized to keep moving. You aren't going to see Darkthrone adorned in any elaborate costumes--this isn't a fashion show, for them. What you will get with Sardonic Wrath is authentic feeling black metal, vintage tuned to recall Hellhammer and Celtic Frost. Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have also kept the production quality here very raw, though not as lo-fi as their earliest efforts, forsaking the often overpolished and orchestrated approach many of their peers embrace. This overall stripped down outlook is not only endearing for its simplicity but because it allows listeners to focus squarely on the most important thing--the music itself.
Yes, Darkthrone have really outdone themselves in the songwriting department on Sardonic Wrath--there isn't a moment of letdown to be found. While there are some pretty blasting hate-filled salvos on this disc, there are no pointless exploitations of blastbeat coming at the expense of song--a common problem in black metal. "Man Tenker Sitt" offers up a very patient and methodical assault, proving the album's most sinister cut. If you crave that aforementioned blast, "Hate Is The Law" has you covered, sure to be a favorite of longtime fans. Ditto for "Information Wants To Be Syndicated" which boasts a doomy Celtic Frost-like shift at its midpoint. Should you be looking for something even more rootsy, Darkthrone reach back just a bit further down the line to work some Hellhammer magic on "Sjakk Matt Jesu Krist" and "Alle Gegen Alle." The dynamic duo even manage to pull off something epic and grand during "Straightening Sharks in Heaven," revisting doom metal on the section which plays the song out.
Sardonic Wrath proves to be one of the best black metal offerings in some time. Darkthrone have managed to keep it real in a time where authenticity is getting harder to find within their chosen form. For the most cult of the the blackened legions, to fans of the old school, and maybe even fans of Motorhead. Well done.
Score this CD directly from THE END
|
