Darkthrone
Sardonic Wrath

Darkthorne. Already from the dark moniker, the nature of the band's music is expressed.
Suffocating music, claustrophobia, oppressive. A band that with its albums (“Blaze In The Northern Sky,” “Under A Funeral Moon”…) has not only produced immortal masterpieces but has forged the characteristics of a genre: Black Metal.

The over-the-top statements (especially at the beginning of their career), the raw and murky productions, the nocturnal lyrics, the practically non-existent technique, in addition to the music, have made Darkthrone a cult band. Obviously, “Sardonic Wrath” is definitely different from previous works, especially due to the more pronounced '80s references. But the atmospheres remain the same: Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have managed once again to recreate glacial and nocturnal atmospheres, filled with evil, suffering, and desolation as only the best black metal can do.

It is a malignity different from that of other extreme genres, it's something more organic, visceral. This album is dedicated to the memory of Quorthon from Bathory. The CD opens with a suffocating introduction, “Order Of The Ominous,” perfect for introducing a CD that makes darkness its warhorse. Truly unsettling. “Information Wants To Be Syndicated” not only is the first track of the album, but one of the most successful pieces. The song has an excellent aggressive start and features a beautiful riff in the second, more moderate part. “Sjakk Matt Jesu Krist” (Who knows what it means?) is another great piece full of '80s influences, it's simple but incisive. “Straightening Sharks In Heaven” is catacombal, cadenced, filled with an almost mystical and magical atmosphere. The best piece of the lot for atmospheres. "Nocturnal Culto" expresses with his hoarse voice an infinite malice. “Alle Gegen Alle” is an infinite wall of cruelty. The song plays all on a riff with a very ignorant flavor. “Man Tenker Sitt” is a mid-tempo (like almost all of this work) unhealthy and suffocating.

Evil has no escape. The main riff of the piece is beautiful. “Sacrificing To The God Of Doubt” is a piece that has a different initial mood compared to the other pieces and then explodes into a divine slowdown. “Hate Is The Law“ is a piece enriched by substantial thrash and rock 'n' roll influences. In the piece, Apollyon (ex-Dødheimsgard now in Aura Noir) sings emitting something indescribable from his mouth. An insane singing, which best expresses the feelings of the piece.

The CD closes with the excellent “Rawness Obsolete,” another splendid, funereal, rotten, heavy piece like a stone in its wickedness. A very nocturnal piece that in the interlude boasts an exemplary slowdown. An excellent album, recommended to all those who love the most primordial and traditional metal, but also to those who want to start spending a few hours in the company of Fenriz and Nocturnal Culto.
Because listening to Black Metal is nothing other than coming into contact with your dark half…