Darkthrone is one of the most respected bands in the Norwegian black metal scene. The band that would become Darkthrone was founded in 1986, but they didn’t settle on their sonic aesthetics until 1992’s A Blaze In The Northern Sky, the first in a series of albums dubbed the “Unholy Trinity”, considered the a high peak of both the group and the black metal genre in general. Old Star is a suitable overview of metal as it stands today, and integrates elements of traditional heavy metal, black, thrash, death, and doom metal. It’s tough to describe “I Muffle Your Inner Choir” without immediately mentioning Motorhead - walls of guitar and punishing drums meet a fierce thrash breakdown. “The Hardship of the Scots” owes a clear debt to Celtic Frost, but there’s a cheeky AC/DC interpolation in there as well. “Duke of Gloat” is cleanly pounded snares and an unrelenting guitar squall. “The Key Is Inside The Wall” is a chugging finale to the record with studious guitar solos and 80’s style hard rock riffs. This record is pressed on black vinyl, and comes with a printed inner sleeve with full album lyrics.

• black vinyl pressing
• includes printed inner with full album lyrics
• music label: Peaceville 2019

reviewed by UNJAMMER LEMMY 06/2019