Origin : Norway
Genre : Black Metal
Release : 2021
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
Intro:
Darkthrone, a band that has consistently defied genre categorization and expectations, returns with *Eternal Hails*. This album marks another significant evolutionary step for the Norwegian duo, veering away from the more overtly black metal influences of their recent past and delving into a sonic landscape that is simultaneously more expansive and suffocating. The production, handled by the band themselves, is a key element here, creating a cavernous and oppressive atmosphere that feels both ancient and chillingly immediate. *Eternal Hails* is not an album for the faint of heart, nor for those seeking the raw, lo-fi aggression of their formative years. Instead, it offers a deliberate, brooding journey through a desolate sonic wilderness, a testament to Darkthrone’s enduring commitment to forging their own path, irrespective of prevailing trends.
Track Analysis:
“His Master’s Voice” opens the album with a lumbering, almost doom-laden riff that slowly builds tension. The vocals are a guttural roar, more spoken-word lament than outright scream, adding to the sense of weariness and resignation. The track’s structure is serpentine, eschewing conventional verse-chorus patterns for a more organic, evolving flow. “Hate is the Law” introduces a more driving, yet still decidedly unhurried, rhythm. The guitar work is thick and distorted, conjuring images of crumbling fortresses and forgotten battlefields. There’s a palpable sense of malice underlying the proceedings, delivered with a stoic, unyielding intensity. “The Hardship of the Year” is arguably the album’s most atmospheric piece. It’s a slow burn, characterized by sparse, echoing guitar melodies that paint a picture of bleak, unforgiving landscapes. The drumming is tribal and deliberate, providing a steady, hypnotic pulse. “Moonlit Forest” leans into a more melodic, albeit melancholic, sensibility. The riffs are intricate and haunting, with a subtle, almost folk-like quality woven into the fabric of the distortion. The vocals here feel more introspective, a whisper in the darkness. “Wake of the Volcano” erupts with a surprising surge of raw energy, though it’s a controlled conflagration. The riffs are sharper, more biting, and the tempo picks up, offering a momentary respite from the album’s pervasive gloom. The vocal delivery is particularly potent on this track. “The Promise of Death” returns to the album’s dominant slow-and-heavy motif. It’s a crushing, suffocating track, with basslines that rumble like tectonic plates and guitars that feel like they are actively decaying. The lyrical themes of mortality and futility are hammered home with relentless sonic force. “March of the Undead” is an epic closer, a sprawling, multi-faceted piece that encapsulates the album’s diverse yet unified sound. It moves through various sonic textures, from moments of crushing heaviness to passages of eerie introspection, leaving the listener with a profound sense of desolation and an undeniable appreciation for Darkthrone’s artistic vision.
Conclusion:
*Eternal Hails* is a stark, uncompromising statement from a band that has long since transcended the need for external validation. It is an album that demands patience and rewards deep listening. The sonic palette is intentionally limited, yet incredibly effective in its evocation of a specific mood – one of grim stoicism, existential dread, and a profound connection to the primal forces of nature. This is not an album for casual consumption; it is a meticulously crafted journey into the abyss, a testament to Darkthrone’s unwavering dedication to their unique artistic trajectory. It is a mature, weathered, and deeply resonant work that solidifies their status as architects of sonic desolation.
Rating: 9/10
Highlight Track: The Promise of Death
