What does everyone think of Darkthrone?
- Thread starter batmura
- Start date
RedinTheSky
Member
There is an ongoing discussion about them in the Worst Black metal bands thread if I'm not mistaken. Personally I say they are not bad, but there are other BM bands I would rather listen to.
Liquid Diamonds
Member
Sadguru
In my dream...
I don't like the stuff i've heard from them. I really dislike the bad production they usually have.
all_sins_undone
New Metal Member
- Oct 5, 2005
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affinityband
Member
opeth_353
Member
Hubster
...
I posted this in the other thread, but thought I'd chuck it in here too. In short, a long time fan of Black Metal, but a somewhat recent fan of Darkthrone:
Well, somewhat embarrassingly, I have to make an admission on something.
When I last checked out Darkthrone, it was long before I really got into the more raw side of Black Metal. Since then, ironically enough, the raw side has become my style of choice for the most part, and I've steadily moved away from melodic and symphonic aspects.
A couple of days ago I decided that perhaps it was about time I checked out Darkthrone again as (not to blow my own horn) I know I have a decent amount of knowledge with Black Metal, but disliking, say, Demon Burger is one thing, but I agree in that disliking an important second wave band is something else. Crimson Velvet's post gave me reason to pause: I think he had a point. So, I grabbed the first 5 albums and decided to "investigate" more myself.
I have to say that in comparison to the last time I checked out Darkthrone (which was a LONG time back), my perspective has drastically changed. Suffice to say, I don't think I'll be saying that they suck anymore: "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" and "Under A Funeral Moon" are fucking masterpieces. I've gone from hating Darkthrone based on an old bad memory of them, to loving them.
However, I must address something, and that is that to appreciate "that" style of BM Darkthrone appreciation is required: here, I don't agree. This is not to say that Darkthrone isn't important, because it *is* very important indeed. They brilliantly executed a lo-fi, garage-ish style, and provided second wave Black Metal with a foundation for its anti-metal characteristics.
The fact is though, that there are second wave bands who did their debut albums around the same time as "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" and I'm not so dead sure that Darkthrone could have provided those bands their influence for the Black Metal sound: Darkthrone themselves had only just changed from Death Metal to Black Metal. Several bands at this same time, including Darkthrone, were releasing their first Black Metal material, everyone had similar ideas in this phase back in 1991/92: the ideology (anti-death metal, anti-popular, elitist) came first, and the music fitted into that ideology. It was the second half of 1992 onwards that more individuality begins to show because the ideology by then is more clearly known.
In summary, I appreciate Darkthrone now because I have a much higher love for raw BM overall. But the side of Black Metal that Darkthrone has isn't what has made me understand that kind of Black Metal: early second wave Black Metal as a whole has, combined with Venom, Bathory, and even in some cases, Motorhead.
Darkthrone is definitely brilliant. But I'm not sure it's role alone is essential as opposed to inclusion with early second wave material as a whole.
Well, somewhat embarrassingly, I have to make an admission on something.
When I last checked out Darkthrone, it was long before I really got into the more raw side of Black Metal. Since then, ironically enough, the raw side has become my style of choice for the most part, and I've steadily moved away from melodic and symphonic aspects.
A couple of days ago I decided that perhaps it was about time I checked out Darkthrone again as (not to blow my own horn) I know I have a decent amount of knowledge with Black Metal, but disliking, say, Demon Burger is one thing, but I agree in that disliking an important second wave band is something else. Crimson Velvet's post gave me reason to pause: I think he had a point. So, I grabbed the first 5 albums and decided to "investigate" more myself.
I have to say that in comparison to the last time I checked out Darkthrone (which was a LONG time back), my perspective has drastically changed. Suffice to say, I don't think I'll be saying that they suck anymore: "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" and "Under A Funeral Moon" are fucking masterpieces. I've gone from hating Darkthrone based on an old bad memory of them, to loving them.
However, I must address something, and that is that to appreciate "that" style of BM Darkthrone appreciation is required: here, I don't agree. This is not to say that Darkthrone isn't important, because it *is* very important indeed. They brilliantly executed a lo-fi, garage-ish style, and provided second wave Black Metal with a foundation for its anti-metal characteristics.
The fact is though, that there are second wave bands who did their debut albums around the same time as "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" and I'm not so dead sure that Darkthrone could have provided those bands their influence for the Black Metal sound: Darkthrone themselves had only just changed from Death Metal to Black Metal. Several bands at this same time, including Darkthrone, were releasing their first Black Metal material, everyone had similar ideas in this phase back in 1991/92: the ideology (anti-death metal, anti-popular, elitist) came first, and the music fitted into that ideology. It was the second half of 1992 onwards that more individuality begins to show because the ideology by then is more clearly known.
In summary, I appreciate Darkthrone now because I have a much higher love for raw BM overall. But the side of Black Metal that Darkthrone has isn't what has made me understand that kind of Black Metal: early second wave Black Metal as a whole has, combined with Venom, Bathory, and even in some cases, Motorhead.
Darkthrone is definitely brilliant. But I'm not sure it's role alone is essential as opposed to inclusion with early second wave material as a whole.
Pethical
Tom
i see darkthrone as only being influential and an important part of bm's history and development. i do not see them as being musically enjoyable in any way when there are so many bands before, during and after their impact that have done what they do, better and with much more interesting elements and developments.
sdmf2
Member
NFU
I like pie.
early darkthrone is fun...some great classic death metal riffs there.
but overall i like pretty much every darkthrone release to some extent. some obviously being better than others. although the last 2 i didnt care for. plaguewielder had some solid moments though...that was their last stand for me id say.
but overall i like pretty much every darkthrone release to some extent. some obviously being better than others. although the last 2 i didnt care for. plaguewielder had some solid moments though...that was their last stand for me id say.
metal_wrath
I dip my forefinger...
Darkthrone are somewhat interesting, but imo not terribly worthy of such amount of imitation from other bands. Saying that, I don't find myself wanting to listen to them ever, other than the odd song here and there...
MasterOLightning
Optimator
I listen to them frequently, though mainly TH and Panzerfaust, and occasionally UAFM. I lost track of the releases Total Death-Sardonic Wrath. Popular opinion says that they are far from essential, so I haven't gotten to them yet.
As I've said before, I find it hard to understand when people who enjoy metal can't find something to like about Darkthrone. Perhaps many of these people heard the middle/late era releases that weren't so well received, or even Soulside Journey, which couldn't be farther stylistically from their peak material. Panzerfaust and TH are pretty accessible; they don't come close to having bad production. ABITNS and UAFM are a bit more rough on the ears, but far from the worst you can find.
Out of all the Darkthrone imitators, (early) Deathspell Omega is the best one I've heard. Clandestine Blaze is good at times but mostly pretty middling. Anyone know any great bands that closely adhere to the style?
As I've said before, I find it hard to understand when people who enjoy metal can't find something to like about Darkthrone. Perhaps many of these people heard the middle/late era releases that weren't so well received, or even Soulside Journey, which couldn't be farther stylistically from their peak material. Panzerfaust and TH are pretty accessible; they don't come close to having bad production. ABITNS and UAFM are a bit more rough on the ears, but far from the worst you can find.
Out of all the Darkthrone imitators, (early) Deathspell Omega is the best one I've heard. Clandestine Blaze is good at times but mostly pretty middling. Anyone know any great bands that closely adhere to the style?
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