Darkthrone was found back in the year 1986 with the line-up of
Ted Skjellum - Vocals, Guitars
Gylve Nagell - Drums
Ivar Enger - Guitars
Dag Nilsen - Bass
During their early existence, they played typical Death Metal but with Satanic influence. And they were known as Black Death. Darkthrone was officially known as their band's name in 1988. They managed to release three demos and one promo tape. After a deal with Peaceville, the "first" full length was released in 1991 entitled "Soulside Journey". The musical style still much the same in their demo era. This release still featured the original line-up. After the release of "Soulside Journey", they've went into the studio again to record "Goatlord" but this masterpiece was not released until after November 1996.
Feeling sick with the Death Metal scene, Darkthrone decided to change their musical style and perception also. The new Darkthrone was formed and Dag Nilsen (bass) left the band. Their new line-up consists of
Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) - Summoning and Bass
Fenriz (Gylve Nagell) - Percussion and Satan's Poet
Zephyrous (Ivar Enger) - Electric Lead Guitar
With the new Darkthrone, they proclaimed themselves playing "Unholy Black Metal" exclusively. They recorded their self-acclaimed first album, "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" which was the most evil and blasphemous album of all time. Dag Nilsen played session bass in this release but the role had been taken by Noctuno Culto after that. The sound was set to be as ugly as possible and it turned out great. Fenriz was quoted to say that "Our first album is called A Blaze In The Northern Sky and it's out before 92. It's gonna be one of the most evil and darkened albums ever! You're all gonna hate it!"
After the release of "A Blaze In The Northern Sky", their next opus, "Under A Funeral Moon" came. The sound in this release is much raw than "A Blaze In The Northern Sky". It took their musical style into new dimension. The line-up was still the same as the first release. Then came the best (I think the worst!) Darkthrone's release, "Transylvannian Hunger". "Transylvannian Hunger" featured 8 song which 6 of them are in Norwegian!. This album marked the end of their contract with Peaceville. Because of some racist comments made by Fenriz, Peaceville has refused to release any of Darkthrone past releases with them.
With the end of their deal with Peaceville, Darkthrone signed with a Norwegian label, Moonfog which is own by Satyr of Satyricon. "Panzerfaust" came as the first release with Moonfog. This release was commented by Fenriz as an ultimate tributes to Celtic Frost. Nocturno Culto's vocals is seems like he's having a very bad sore throat. but the songs are really great. Zephyrous mysteriously left the band after this album was released. Neither Fenriz nor Nocturno Culto knows or heard anything from Zephyrous after the release.
Second release with Moonfog is "Total Death" which saw Darkthrone back to their style in "Under A Funeral Moon". The lyrics was written by Nocturno Culto and contribution from other Norwegian Black Metal bands such as Ihsahn from Emperor, Satyr of Satyricon, Garm of Ulver and other bands I couldn't recall. "Total Death" is a great album. "Ravnajuv", a song from "Total Death" was featured in "Crusade From the North" compilation released by Moonfog. Then, the band decided to release "Goat Lord", recorded in 1991 but was never released before. Musical styles are typically Death Metal but with Black Metal vocal style recorded in 1994. A song from this release was also featured in the "Crusade From the North" compilation, entitled "Green Cave Float". After this release which is two years ago, not much are known about Darkthrone. They are expected to release a new album with the title "Krieg" but are not available now. The release date is not known either.
Darkthrone will never play live again. They performed live once and never did any gigs after that. But the members still performed live with their sub-band; Fenriz with Storm, Isengard, Neptune Towers and Dødheimsgard and Noctuno Culto with Satyricon eventhough he's no longer a permanent member in Satyricon. So don't expect to see Darkthrone performing live near you!
Isman © 1998 - darkbreed@mailexcite.com