Darkthrone

Darkthrone was formed back in 1987 (orignally under the name "Black Death") by drummer/vocalist Gylve Nagell, guitarist Ivar Enger, bassist Dag Nilsen, and session guitarist Anders. They released one demo "Land Of Frost". In 1988, another guitarist, Ted Skjellum joined the band and Anders left. They recorded three demos: "Thulcandra", "A New Dimension" & "Cromlech". In 1990, they signed to Peaceville records and recorded their first album, "Soulside Journey". Ted took over Vocal dutie sat this time.





Later on, they met Euronymous (of Mayhem) and they decided to change their image and music (which would leave a lasting impression). Around this time, the album "Goatlord" was recorded but put aside for their newly discovered direction. They also started using aliases (Gylve Nagell became Fenriz, Ted Skjellum became Nocturno Culto and Ivar Enger became Zephyrous) and corpsepaint. Dag Nilsen left the band for his own reasons, but he did record bass tracks for their next album, "A Blaze In The Northern Sky". This is often referred to as their "first" album. The new sound did not particularly sit well with Peaceville who thought they would only play death metal. "Under A Funeral Moon" and "Transilvanian Hunger", Darkthrone's next two albums would go on to become classics as part of the "Black Trilogy" (Blaze, Funeral, & Hunger).



Darkthrone's style became quite unique, creating their brand of trancelike black metal which is often imitated, but never equaled. After "Transilvanian Hunger", Darkthrone left Peaceville for Moonfog, Satyr's label. They then recorded "Panzerfaust", an album they dub as the ultimate tribute to Celtic Frost and Bathory. The vocals are particularly harsh on this album as well.

After the recording of this album, Zephyrous left the band for his own reasons. Darkthrone forged on and released their next album "Total Death". This showed a more technical side to Darkthrone, not seen since their first album "Soulside Journey". It was met with mixed reviews. After this, the Goatlord album was released with new vocal tracks (with Satyr). Darkthrone then dissapeared for three years. In 1999, they re-emerged again with "Ravishing Grimness", an album that put them back on the map of oldschool black metal. In 2000, Darkthrone released a "best of" CD on Peaceville, covering tracks from 1988 to 1994, including some rare/unreleased material. Also, Darkthrone released a Compilation Only track on Moonfog 2000. Their first time to ever do that. In 2001, they returned to the studio and recorded "Plaguewielder" for Moonfog. Two years later they recorded "Hate Them" also for Moonfog.





- Transylvanian Hunger