Darkthrone – The Underground Resistance (Peaceville, 2013)

I don’t know that I have a favorite band anymore; in my old age I’ve become more of a favorite album guy. But, if I was forced at gunpoint to pick a favorite band, chances are the first one that would spring to mind is Darkthrone. They’re one of the few that can do no wrong in my eyes, whether we’re talking about the twisted death metal of Soulside Journey, the genre-defining pure Norse black metal of the A Blaze in the Northern Sky/Under a Funeral Moon/Transilvanian Hunger trilogy, or their current incarnation as a black/punk/traditional heavy metal hybrid. Even Goatlord, by far the worst album in their entire catalog, has its charms. No matter what direction Darkthrone take their sound in, they do it more than competently and with plenty of attitude, and I in turn always seem to find something to enjoy in whatever they do.

Interview: DARKTHRONE

Dear readers, please excuse me for a moment while I gush like a complete fanboy. DARKTHRONE is my favorite metal band. Ever. When the PR firm representing Peaceville Records in the USA offered me an e-mail interview with drummer/vocalist/black metal godfather/walking metal & hard rock encyclopedia FENRIZ, I could barely contain my excitement. The following interrogation is what transpired when I was given the opportunity to pique Fenriz’s brain about the excellent new Darkthrone album CIRCLE THE WAGONS , the resurgence of “real” heavy metal in the underground and the importance of making your own breakfast.

THKD: Tell us about the new album, Circle the Wagons. What do you consider to be the main themes/concepts behind the album? How would you describe the album to those who have not yet heard it?

Fenriz: it’s our own kind of heavy metal, it’s Ted’s 4 songs and i never know what influences him. then there’s my 5 songs which mostly sounds like fast heavy metal (speed metal) from 1979-1985. then there’s clear and various ugly vocals and i just realized this didn’t come out very good as an advertisement for our sound – but no one really sounds like us at the moment, i think we are extremely old school and still fresh.

there are no themes, lyrics are about a plethora of subjects, ranging from street lyrics to the soulful stuff (like Black Mountain Totem song).

THKD: You recorded Circle the Wagons at your own Necrohell Studios. What are the advantages of having your own recording space? What is the equipment setup at Necrohell?

Fenriz: i am not a musician, i’m a music personality, so i don’t know anything about equipment, that’s Ted’s department. it’s a portable mini studio and we rig it ourselves and Ted records and mixes it as well – so it’s VERY DIY.DIY HARD!!! haha!! Advantages is that we don’t have the presence of a “studio guy”, we are just by ourselves with the help of our friends Kjella and Mats. It’s Kjellas house, so Ted has to drive 3 hours from the north to get there and i take the bus for 3 hours from the south. Having this studio makes us get our own sound, it’s a guarantee that we don’t end up in a studio where there are modern equipment or some guy that tries to talk us into some new tricks. we keep it old. WITH US, THE OLD WAYS ARE NEAR.

Darkthrone – Circle The Wagons

I fucking love Darkthrone.  They are the one band in metal that simply does not give a fuck what you, me, critics or anyone else thinks.  Over the years they’ve evolved from death metal, to pure black metal to a sort of black metal/thrash/crust hybrid, pissing off many trve kvlt internet message board losers in the process.  I personally have enjoyed every step of Darkthrone’s (d)evolution and their attitude just makes them that much more awesome.  Just read any interview w/ drummer/vocalist Fenriz and you’ll see what I’m talking about.