Darkthrone – Soulside Journey - Album Streaming & Download

Origin : Norway

Genre : Black Metal

Release : 1991

Album downloads only available to members

Album Info / Review

Intro:
Hailing from Norway, the land where frost-bitten winds carve sonic landscapes of despair, Darkthrone’s *Soulside Journey* emerges not as a nascent whisper, but a guttural roar from the primordial ooze of black metal’s formative years. Released in 1991, this sophomore offering stands as a pivotal, albeit often overlooked, stepping stone in the band’s evolution and the broader trajectory of the genre. While their later works would cement their status as titans of raw, unadulterated black metal, *Soulside Journey* showcases a band grappling with their sound, forging a potent blend of death metal’s crushing weight and the nascent bleakness that would come to define them. This is not the polished, blast-beat driven ferocity of their contemporaries; instead, it’s a more deliberate, suffocating descent into sonic entropy, a testament to a band finding their voice in the shadows.

Track Analysis:
“Natassja In Eternal Sleep” immediately assaults the listener with a lumbering, almost doomy riff that slowly builds, punctuated by sparse, echoing drum hits. Fenriz’s vocal delivery here is a venomous rasp, hinting at the primal screams to come, but retaining a guttural depth that anchors the track in a more traditional death metal framework. The guitar work is thick and muddy, prioritizing atmosphere over technicality, with dissonant chords weaving a tapestry of unease.

“Cromlech” picks up the pace with a more driving rhythm, yet still maintains a palpable sense of dread. The bassline is a relentless throb, a dark pulse beneath the distorted guitars. The solos are not shredding displays of virtuosity but rather chaotic bursts of noise, like flailing limbs in a dark abyss. The song’s structure is somewhat meandering, reflecting a band still experimenting with songcraft, but the sheer oppressive atmosphere is undeniable.

“Triumphant Gleam” offers a brief respite of slightly cleaner, albeit still ominous, guitar passages before plunging back into the sonic mire. The drumming becomes more intricate here, with subtle cymbal work adding a layer of percussive texture. The lyrical themes, evident even through the distorted vocals, speak of a morbid fascination with decay and the macabre, a foreshadowing of the lyrical obsessions that would later define Darkthrone.

“The Watcher” is a slower, more atmospheric track, characterized by a repetitive, hypnotic riff that gradually intensifies. This is where the seeds of Darkthrone’s signature sound truly begin to sprout. The production, while still raw, allows for moments of clarity where the chilling melodies can seep through the distortion. The vocals, though strained, convey a profound sense of isolation.

“Soulside Journey” itself is an epic in miniature, a sprawling piece that oscillates between crushing brutality and moments of almost melodic melancholy. The guitar solos are particularly noteworthy for their sheer unhinged nature, adding a layer of primal aggression. The interplay between the rhythm section and the guitars creates a dense, suffocating sonic environment.

“Gravecoming” returns to a more aggressive tempo, with a relentless riff that feels like it’s being dragged across jagged rocks. The vocal performance is at its most raw here, a desperate cry from the depths. The song’s brevity belies its impact, leaving a lasting impression of sonic violence.

“Thulcandra” introduces a slightly more refined, yet still utterly grim, approach. The riffing is more focused, and the drumming exhibits a more controlled ferocity. The song possesses a certain grandeur in its bleakness, a sense of ancient power being unearthed.

“Archipelago” is a slow-burning inferno, a track that builds tension through its deliberate pacing and the gradual layering of dissonant guitar chords. The atmosphere is thick with an almost tangible sense of desolation.

“Encircled by the Night” concludes the album with a palpable sense of finality. It’s a mournful dirge, a slow, crushing descent into the abyss. The final moments are a cacophony of feedback and distorted noise, leaving the listener not with resolution, but with a lingering sense of dread.

Conclusion:
*Soulside Journey* is a crucial artifact in the early discography of Darkthrone and a significant marker in the development of atmospheric black metal. While it lacks the focused venom and iconic simplicity of their later masterpieces, it possesses a unique, unvarnished power. It’s a raw, unrefined exploration of darkness, a testament to a band unburdened by expectation, forging a sound that is both brutal and deeply unsettling. This is not an album for the faint of heart, but for those who seek the genuine article of grim, evolving black metal, *Soulside Journey* offers a compelling, albeit challenging, journey.