Darkthrone

DARKTHRONE stands as one of the most influential and enduring forces in Norwegian black metal, having shaped the genre's evolution for nearly four decades. Founded in 1986 as Black Death before adopting their iconic moniker in 1987, the duo of Fenriz (Gylve Nagell) and Nocturno Culto (Ted Skjellum) has remained the unwavering core of the band since 1988. Originally emerging from the Scandinavian death metal scene with their debut Soulside Journey (1990), DARKTHRONE underwent a radical transformation that would define black metal's second wave.

The seminal trilogy of A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1991), Under a Funeral Moon (1993), and Transilvanian Hunger (1994) established DARKTHRONE as architects of the raw, atmospheric sound that became synonymous with Norwegian black metal. These albums, recorded with deliberately primitive production and featuring Nocturno Culto's distinctive rasp, created the template that countless bands would follow. The band's influence extended beyond music, as their aesthetic and ideology helped shape black metal culture worldwide.

After exploring thrash and punk influences in the late 1990s and 2000s, DARKTHRONE has continued to evolve while maintaining their uncompromising vision. Their latest release It Beckons Us All (2024) demonstrates the band's ongoing relevance and creativity, blending their classic black metal foundation with diverse influences accumulated over their extensive career. Having never performed live since 1996, DARKTHRONE remains a purely studio entity, allowing Fenriz and Nocturno Culto to focus entirely on their artistic expression without external pressures. Their dedication to authenticity and refusal to conform has cemented their status as true legends of extreme metal.

Discography

1990 Soulside Journey
1991 A Blaze in the Northern Sky
1993 Under a Funeral Moon
1994 Transilvanian Hunger
1995 Panzerfaust
1996 Total Death
1996 Goatlord
1999 Ravishing Grimness
2001 Plaguewielder
2003 Hate Them
2004 Sardonic Wrath
2006 The Cult Is Alive
2007 F.O.A.D.
2008 Dark Thrones and Black Flags
2010 Circle the Wagons
2013 The Underground Resistance
2016 Arctic Thunder
2019 Old Star
2021 Eternal Hails
2022 Astral Fortress
2024 It Beckons Us All