Darkthrone: FOAD

[subversion]

Darkthrone: FOAD

There is an acceptable belief that if you are Darkthrone, you can get away with whatever you do; so proves FOAD.

FOAD (F*ck Off And Die) is truly a persistence of the band’s punk livery, a continuation of where The Cult Is Alive left off. The ‘new’ materials here include the previously written & stalled numbers as well as fresh tunes. The punkish arrangements are evident in every track so fans in search of the esoteric era Darkthrone (Transilvanian Hunger et al) need just borrow their mates’ purchase to hear the current flavour. Nevertheless, opener ‘These Shores Are Damned’ & concluding number ‘Wisdom of the Dead’ are timely reminders of why Darkthrone is one of the deserving flag bearer of this genre.

The production continues to exhibit a minimalist approach which by now has become the trademark of this band but FOAD displays a vocal emphasis at the expense of a balanced recording. As music appreciators, we should at least understand the cyclical nature of a band’s musical embrace but when it comes to sheer appropriateness, a below-par offering should be at least made known.

Appreciate the urgency but liking the offering is a personal discourse.

Rating: 78%

 

[billthegeek]

FOAD is chosen as one of the top 10 albums of 2007 in Straits Times Life section, 21/12/2007. :twisted:

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

according to Chris Ho, and in his own view i guess...

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I actually don't quite like the new Darkthrone... "Raise on rock" sounds similar to Manowar's kinda lyrical style. LOL.

When it comes to black metal, I like it true, raw and very fast, or beautifully atmospheric...

 

[subversion]

Fenriz & Nocturno's embrace of the black metal arts is such that once something is in fashion, they aim to break away from it all. their current mode of doing so is the inception of punkish roots into this genre, which isn't to everyone's liking but they tend to get away for doing so.

arguably, this move does add an element of contrast but it makes the genre more acceptable to the layperson which isn't what BM is all about. let's leave this philosophy of embrace to the proponents who treat this art as a lifestyle; for the rest of us who appreciate music per se, we see it as a form of change.

 

[subversion]

FOAD is chosen as one of the top 10 albums of 2007 in Straits Times Life section, 21/12/2007. :twisted:

em... so what does this prove?

 

[EugeneSmasher]

Yup, a form of change. I liked Exodus's change actually, from Bay Area style to modern thrash. But Darkthrone... Will take time for me to get used to it haha.

Nargaroth was also listed among the top 10... I thought it was obscure... Next thing we know, really unknown bands like Narnia or Vidsyn might appear! Who knows

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

heh, in this age of internet, theres hardly anything obscure, only thing that be obscure are stuff that personally we dont know about, but already known by other people we have yet to come across..

 

[subversion]

i see Dark Throne's current musical path to be the personal indulgences of the members.

 

[EugeneSmasher]

It might also be their passion...

Emperor did away with corpsepaint because they found it becoming a trend.

In fact, I'm leading my band more towards an alternative / experimental edge because nowadays rock sounds similar band from band.

I support Emperor's move, and I guess I support Darkthrone's move if its their passion. Besides, why be limited by genre? Why not be distinctive? Much more plus points

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

heh, but then, if being distinctive and different become a similar direction of bands, aint that in itself, a trend

theres lotsa irony in music all the time.

imho

 

[subversion]

Emperor did away with corpsepaint because they found it becoming a trend.

so did many other bands in this domain. being trendy is just one of the reasons given but the appropriateness of it all might just be the over-riding factor. Ihsan & company abandoned visual cosmetics simply because it's not relevant to their cause post-In The Nightside Eclipse.

 

[subversion]

...aint that in itself, a trend

theres lotsa irony in music all the time.

imho

it's a trend if everyone's doing it... then again, these bands are most probably manifesting a coming of age more than anything else

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

hehe, true true. Lotsa direction to see things and interestingly not the process of those bands but the thoughts of individual on the process. Everything can be a natural progression for them but we seeing it as something else...

 

[EugeneSmasher]

I do kinda like it now, beginning to find the punk rock influence quite groovy. For some reason I like Satyricon as well.

Punk rock, mind you... Not pop-punk...