Customer Reviews

Cult Is Alive

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The clues have been there all along... Did we not catch on? For years, Darkthrone's music has echoed a rock 'n' roll/punk influence; Whether it be the gritty production of "Under A Funeral Moon", the somewhat self-satirical lyrics from early material, or the straight-up hearkening to old days on "Panzerfaust", Darkthrone always had a bit of a smirk on their face about something. People are saying, "This isn't black metal, it's crust punk with BM vocals!" Listen, the punk influence has been there for years. The last few albums have gotten more old-school oriented in their approach, and had a more remotely punk influence. Even an older song, like "In the Shadow of the Horns" openly puts punk influence out in the air.

"The Cult is Alive" is Darkthrone's full realization of what they've been nudging you about all these years. This album does contain a lot of sleazy swagger and punk rock attitude, but it's still pure black metal. You know why? Because Darkthrone is doing it the way they see fit, with the same middle finger mentality they've always had. They're having fun what they're doing, and they don't care who's looking on. THAT is the great thing about this release. Whether it be the blunt, insulting lyrics of "Too Old, Too Cold" or "Shut Up", or the drunken swinging of "The Cult of Goliath", Darkthrone have proved that they are still very much the masters of BM, and still have the ability to shape it in their vision. Nocturno Culto's vocals still croak, Fenriz's drumming is just as simple and savage, and the production is still old-school.

If you're expecting a Marduk or Dark Funeral album, don't listen to this. But if you're looking for BM with a touch of irony and humor, give this a try.

The best black metal band of all time continues to be consistent in releasing black metal records that are true in its pure meaning. Contrary to popular, misguided opinion, every Darkthrone record sounds different from each other. While in my opinion this one reminds me a bit of the atmosphere conveyed in Total Death, The Cult is Alive sounds more developed. The harshness of the riffs is haunting; its simplicity is its main ingredient. Every song succeeds in achieving a primal purpose, and ultimately, the end product is a black metal record that knows how to rock, pure and simple. This is one of the best Darkthrone records, and the best black metal records this year.

buy this album! this sounds like Hellhammer and GG Allin in the middle of a drunken fistfight. FILTHY production. out of tune solos. weird cord changes. harsh vocals. KILLER album. some of the lyrics are cheesy (but hey, i got a good sense of humor) and yes there's more punk thrown into the mix this time around but it sounds completely natural. you'd think they've been doing the punk thing for years already (news flash=THEY HAVE). around track 5 is when the black metal starts to rear it's ugly head, then it's all hell breaking loose. punk riffs or not this is still PURE BLACK METAL.

Who cares what the previous two said before about this album. I really like it. The production on here is better than it has been in years. True it sounds a whole lotta punk goin on, but still has that black metal attitude and it really sounds awesome and unique to me. I've been a Darkthrone fan for many years. And I must say that this is some great stuff!

I don't care that most are going to bash this album, I think its great!! I enjoy it more than any of thier previous efforts. I think the riffs are great, the drumming is great and the production lets both of them be heard. I could do without Fenriz on vocals (graveyard slut), but nothing is perfect. Like Too Old Too Cold clearly says "nothing to prove, just a hellish rock n' roll freak!", these guys are making music they enjoy, be it punk influenced or whatever, you can't make everyone happy so they aren't trying to. It's an incredible album that I fully recommend to any metal fan. Take it for what it is, and you can't help but love it too!!

It is no secret that 2006's "The Cult Is Alive" marked a major change in musical style for Darkthrone. This Kolbotn, Norway-based duo started out by spending the better part of two decades (!) pioneering that country's extreme metal scene with a more traditional (and now world-renowned) black metal sound, But then, for their eleventh long-spinner, the group took substantial adventurous musical strides. o what's the big secret behind this new sound, you ask? Drawing heavily from the same bag as raw, genuine crust punk, Sick Of It All-esque hardcore, and early American punk (a la The Misfits). Some undeniable Entombed influences shine through, as well.

However, none of this means old-school fans should start panicking and get alienated just yet, because this is still Darkthrone, after all. Hence, there are some experimental elements on hand here, but "The Cult" is actually still every-bit-as-much a product of the black metal genre. Indeed, the band more-or-less stood by the classic black metal rulebook, meaning the bass player is usually left null and void, and guitar solos are rare (and when they do pop up, they are anything but melodic.) Also note that skinsman Fenriz, like always, eschews blast beat drumming. skinsman Fenriz eschews blast beat drumming (like always). But something that isn't all that uncommon is for the music to evoke Celtic Frost (whom has long been Darkthrone's primary source of inspiration). And frontman Nocturno Culto's Venom/Hellhammer/early Sepultura-esque classic black metal vocal rasps vocals are still a main ingredient. Finally, this record is still quite thrashy; in fact, it is equal to previous releases in that regard, too. In the end, the conclusion one has to come to is that this is first and foremost a piece of blackened crust punk, and has some elements of speed metal and death `n' roll mixed in. The result is a fairly pleasant surprise, and a very solid album through and through. Plus, it possesses a unique and refreshing quality since it is innovative enough never to run the risk of coming across as stale, uninspired, or recycled.

"Atomic Coming" and "Graveyard Shift" are two particular standouts because they especially play like full-on, unabashed, hard-rocking punk, and even leave a little bit of a pop-ish aftertaste. To get a feel of what they sound like, try invisioning The Melvins, Misfits, "Among The Living"-era Anthrax, and Bad Brains in a blender. "Whisky Funeral" is another unexpectedly punk-y number, and features a steady bass bottom, a Motorhead-like attitude, and plenty of catchy swing and swagger. On the flip side, the confidently steamrolling opener "Cult of Goliath," the buzzsaw riffage and vocal hook-backed "Too Old, Too Cold," and "Underdogs And Overlords" are all brutal tracks, and they blaze by with thrashing grooves, dissonant and often fiery, buzzsaw riffing, bottom-heavy drum beats, and skin-crawling vocals. The former track is also of note for its wild, unorthodox, shredding guitar solo.

"De Underjordiske" is the only slow and very experimental song of the bung. It is exceptionally sinister, chilling, slow-burning, and slowly plodding piece. Right after it grinds to a close, though, the boys storm back in full-force with "Hushing On God," a blistering, thunderous, and nearly breakneck sneak attack. Moving along, "Shut Up" is a definite standout on account of its exceptional drumming, including plenty of propulsive and thrashy double bass slamming and crashing cymbals. "Hushing On God"'s abrasive vocals are pretty cool, too, as are its punk-inflected bass lines (if you can hear them, that is). Closer "Preemptive Wa" wraps ithings up, albeit on a less-than-spectacular (or really exciting) note. It does score a few points for its blazing solo section near the end, though.

When all is said and done, "The Cult Is Alive" could very well be considered controversial in some circles, but as far as this reviewer is concerned, it is a clear success. After all, with the album, Darkthrone both expanded their sound and (most likely) their fanbase, too. And one thing is for certain: No matter what genre "Cult" falls under, all metalheads should find it to be a satisfying listen.

This is not the sound that made Darkthrone what they are. This album sounds like if Motorhead or Destruction came out with a series of black metal covers. The album is OK, but not up to par with albums like Transylvanian Hunger, and Total Death.

I agree with D. A. Fortney on this one. This is not a Transilvanian Hunger, dark and dismal LP. It's a lighter Darkthrone than we've seen before with a very catchy punk edge to them. I personally enjoy this release though. "Too Old, Too Cold" is an amazing song...as well as a few others too. Still, I'd say it's on the mediocre side...nothing to be blown away by...but I've never been blown away by Dakrthrone anyhow. It's good and catchy, but doesnt make me shake.

Overall, it sounds more like something you'd hear in the background of a movie scene where a few people are getting high while partying or something. I dont say that in a bad way though. It just sounds to me like thats where you'd find one of these songs. And it's one of Darkthrone's better LP's. So it isnt horrible.

I think the guys had a lot of fun making this CD. I like the punk influence and it has that trademark Darkthrone sound. This is not a grim serious dark masterpiece. I would call it Black metal fluff. Probably would make a good party CD. Buy it if you are a fan with an open mind. If you are a serious old school fan you will probably not like this.

I am sorry but Darkthrone after reinventing black metal at the beginning of the 90's has turned into a punkish band, that has no more ideas to bring forth. I mean we are not in 1977 and though black metal is a sort of mixture containing punk, metal, death, satan, sadness, depression, hate and blastbeats, to reduce it to mere punk is a sign of lack of ideas. This is an altar to the cult of punk and it has nothing that touches my sad heart. You have lost a fan, Fenriz & co.