Darkthrone’s Creation, ‘It Beckons Us All’ is a Symphony of Darkness and Light

Embarking upon their 21st full-length odyssey, the indomitable Norwegian duo Darkthrone is poised to unleash ‘It Beckons Us All’ on April 26th, under the aegis of Peaceville Records. This imminent chapter extends the band’s prodigious discography spanning nearly four decades, introducing seven novel compositions to their oeuvre. The album’s genesis transpired in the spring of 2023, within the venerable walls of Chaka Khan Studios in Oslo—a site of significant historical import to the band, having served as the crucible for prior works such as ‘Eternal Hails……’ and ‘Astral Fortress.’

Nocturno Culto, Darkthrone’s guitarist and vocalist, elucidates the recording process as an exercise in organic artistry, adhering to the band’s tradition of capturing the instrumental essence live—a methodology embodying drums and guitar in unison, with subsequent layers, including an additional guitar, interwoven post-initial recording. This endeavor witnessed an evolution, marked by a strategic novelty that distinctly enhanced the album. Notably, Fenriz, the group’s drummer and vocalist, contributed pristine clean vocals across multiple tracks, a testament to his creative ingenuity.

The collaborative dynamic extended to bass duties, jointly undertaken by the duo, amidst a broader sonic experimentation involving a plethora of layered elements, from solo guitar riffs to a rich tapestry of vocal harmonies. This departure from conventional digital augmentation, favoring the authenticity of multiple vocal tracks over synthesized choirs, exemplifies Darkthrone’s commitment to innovation within their sonic domain. The band’s perennial evolution, as Nocturno Culto reflects, navigates through the amorphous terrain of metal, transcending genre confines to explore the quintessence of metal in its myriad forms.

Fenriz, sharing insights into the album’s thematic depth, expressed an aspiration for listeners to immerse in the palpable darkness that the title, ‘It Beckons Us All,’ envelops. This sentiment is echoed in the rare post-recording moment shared between the two, marking a significant gesture of mutual satisfaction and a symbolic culmination of their collaborative journey since their first encounter in the spring of 1988.

The genesis of the avant-garde Norwegian musical ensemble Darkthrone can be traced back to the incipient years of the 1980s. Emerging from the suburban environs of Kolbotn, a tranquil hamlet situated within the peripheral bounds of Oslo, the quartet’s formative inception was catalyzed by the coalescence of Gylve Nagell, better known by his cognomen Fenriz, and the late Ivar Enger, whose sobriquet was Zephyrous. Initially christened as Black Death, this primordial incarnation of the band was profoundly influenced by the seminal death thrash metal outfits of the era, such as Slayer, Celtic Frost, and maybe even Venom, whose audacious soundscapes and iconoclastic aesthetics left an indelible imprint on the burgeoning musicians.

As the decade waned and the 1990s dawned, the ensemble underwent a metamorphosis, both in their moniker and their sonic trajectory. Rechristened as Darkthrone, the duo embraced the nascent and incendiary genre of black metal, a subversive offshoot of the extreme metal milieu that had emerged from the subterranean realms of the Norwegian underground. This paradigm shift was precipitated by their exposure to the seminal works of fellow Norwegian pioneers such as Mayhem and Burzum, alongside Swedish Bathory and Switz Celtic Frost whose uncompromising and nihilistic compositions resonated profoundly with Fenriz and Ted Skjellum.

The year 1991 bore witness to the release of Darkthrone’s seminal debut opus, ‘Soulside Journey,’ a visceral and uncompromising offering that solidified their status as an ascendant force within the burgeoning black metal movement. Eschewing the polished production values that characterized the mainstream metal scene, the album’s raw and abrasive sonics encapsulated the genre’s ethos of primitivism and anti-establishment rebellion.

The subsequent years witnessed Darkthrone’s inexorable ascent to the vanguard of the black metal vanguard, as they released a series of critically acclaimed and genre-defining albums. ‘A Blaze in the Northern Sky’ (1992) and ‘Under a Funeral Moon’ (1993) were hallmarks of the band’s early oeuvre, cementing their reputation as purveyors of a sound that was simultaneously uncompromising and groundbreaking.

Darkthrone’s influence extended far beyond the confines of their native Norway, as their music resonated with a global cadre of acolytes who embraced the band’s uncompromising artistic vision and their unwavering commitment to the tenets of the black metal ethos. Their impact on the genre was profound and enduring, inspiring countless subsequent acts and solidifying their status as icons of the extreme metal underground.

Fenriz remained the unwavering force behind Darkthrone, steering the band through a myriad of stylistic evolutions and permutations. From the raw and primitive black metal of their early years to the incorporation of crust punk and traditional heavy metal elements in their later works, Darkthrone’s oeuvre has been a testament to their restless creative spirit and their refusal to be constrained by genre conventions.

The forthcoming release, heralded by a succinct trailer, promises an auditory expedition through Darkthrone’s ever-evolving landscape, characterized by robust riffing and formidable production. ‘It Beckons Us All’ stands as a testament to Darkthrone’s enduring legacy and their unparalleled ability to conjure aural landscapes imbued with the dichotomies of beauty and desolation, reality and myth. Mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door and adorned with artwork by Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak, this album signifies a pivotal addition to the band’s illustrious catalog.

In their sustained quest for sonic exploration, Darkthrone continues to defy expectations, weaving together elements of punk, doom, thrash, and death metal into a distinctive sonic tapestry that has garnered a fervent global following. ‘It Beckons Us All’ not only reaffirms the band’s status as architects of the extreme metal genre but also showcases their undying passion for musical evolution, challenging both themselves and their audience with each new release. As pioneers, visionaries, and perpetual disciples of their craft, Darkthrone embarks on this latest sonic journey with a fearless embrace of the unknown, inviting listeners to partake in an experience as profound as it is enigmatic.