subversion
Moderator
Darkthrone- The Cult is Alive (Peaceville)
Nocturno Culto- Voc/ bass/ guitars
Fenriz- Drums
The noir masters of the underground have unleashed their 12th offering which will undoubtedly dichotomize the band’s following. If you were expecting the grand mastery of ‘Under a Funeral Moon’-era performance, The Cult is Alive has a gist of that in store but that’s all there is to the association- scant offerings of the band’s pinnacle past. Then fans might expect the 90s-era Darkthrone, driven by extended delivery, to surface- negative.
What you hear from ‘The Cult…’ is an extension of its predecessor, Sardonic Wrath, but with a more elementary progression. There are too many instances of punk guitar riffage to fully credit this release as a staunch proponent of the black metal genre. However, Darkthrone is entitled to deliver their black metal as they see fit, unshackled by common beliefs of how the music should manifest itself. Nocturno & Fenriz have been propelling their aural assault in tandem with their ideals throughout their career, there is no attempt to change that philosophy but the credible element being reintroduced here are guitar solos. However, do not expect technical inclinations in this offering. The lyrics in its entirety remain stark simple but there are instances which reflect a need for basic maturity. The reverb employed is also excessive & distasteful but these remain numbered.
Apologies to have killed your heightened expectations but this release would churn out more perplexities than exclamations. It will undoubtedly appeal more to the cult followers as the album title would suggest.
