Origin : Norway
Genre : Black Metal
Release : 2019
Album downloads only available to members
Album Info / Review
Intro:
Darkthrone’s *Panzerfaust*, unleashed upon the unsuspecting world in 1995, represents a pivotal, almost defiant, shift in the Norwegian black metal landscape. Emerging from the icy crucible of their earlier, more raw and experimental works like *Under a Funeral Moon* and *Transilvanian Hunger*, *Panzerfaust* retains the core tenets of grim atmosphere and primal aggression, yet introduces a more deliberate, almost doomy, mid-paced swagger. This is not the frenetic blast of early black metal; it is the inexorable march of a mechanized legion, each riff a grinding gear, each drum hit a resonating shell. The production, a stark departure from the lo-fi hiss that defined much of the genre, is surprisingly clear, allowing the intricate, albeit bleak, musical tapestry to unfurl with chilling precision. It’s a sound that feels both ancient and chillingly modern, a testament to Darkthrone’s unwavering vision of darkness.
Track Analysis:
“Snø og rim” opens the album with a chilling, atmospheric introduction, a sparse soundscape of crackling fire and distant wind that immediately sets a desolate tone. The transition into “Krig” is jarring, a sudden eruption of mid-paced, heavily distorted guitars that feel like the rumble of distant artillery. Fenriz’s drumming here is less about blast beats and more about powerful, deliberate tom work and a driving, almost tribal snare. Nocturno Culto’s vocals are a guttural roar, devoid of melody but brimming with primal rage, echoing through the sonic battlefield. “Triumphant Hall” introduces a more melodic, albeit mournful, guitar line that weaves through the crushing rhythm, creating a sense of grand, tragic victory. The bassline is a thick, underpinning force, providing a palpable weight to the proceedings.
“The Hardships of Life” is perhaps the album’s most overtly experimental track, featuring spoken word passages and a distinctly slower, more brooding tempo. The guitar riff is a lumbering behemoth, punctuated by dissonant chords that evoke a sense of existential dread. The atmosphere is thick and suffocating, a stark contrast to the more aggressive tracks. “Skull (Death the Brutal Master)” returns to a more traditional black metal structure, albeit with the characteristic *Panzerfaust* mid-pace. The riff is a serpentine, menacing entity, crawling and suffocating. The solos are not technically flashy but serve as dissonant bursts of chaotic energy, adding to the overall unease.
“Gunbarr” continues this relentless, grinding momentum. The interplay between the guitars is a masterclass in creating a claustrophobic sonic environment. The percussion is a relentless, almost mechanical pulse, driving the song forward with an unyielding force. “Hanskskogen” is another atmospheric interlude, a brief respite of chilling winds and sparse acoustic guitar that feels like a desolate winter landscape. The album concludes with “Beholding the Daughters of the Moon,” which brings back the heavier, more aggressive elements. The riff is a powerful, driving force, and the vocals are at their most venomous. The song builds to a crescendo of sonic despair, leaving the listener with a profound sense of bleakness.
Conclusion:
*Panzerfaust* stands as a monumental achievement in Darkthrone’s discography and a significant marker in the evolution of black metal. It eschews the immediate, often chaotic, aggression of its peers for a more deliberate, atmospheric, and thematically cohesive experience. The album’s strength lies in its ability to evoke a powerful sense of desolation and grim grandeur through meticulously crafted riffs, potent vocalizations, and a production that, while clear, retains a raw, unyielding power. It is an album that demands attention and rewards repeated listens with its intricate layers of darkness.
Rating: 9.5/10
Highlight Track: “Krig”
