Customer Reviews

Panzerfaust

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It's tough for me to decide which Darkthrone album is their best and I'm sure most fans of this band would agree. Although critics point to Transylvanian Hunger as their best release, it's tough not to consider Panzerfaust as their best work. The album is noticeably different sounding from A Blaze..., Transylvanian Hunger and Under A Funeral Moon. The guitars are no longer a blur of noise, but they are played in a much more elaborate manner, sometimes played slowly with crushing riffs and at times, even Burzum-ish, especially the Count Grishnackh written song "Quintessence". Nocturno Culto's voice is once again the main attraction on Panzerfaust, his delivery is also slower than on previous albums but the sound is no less darker for it. I point to this album as their last defining moment and really the last album you should own from Darkthrone if you already own all of their albums prior to this one.

This is a must for all black metal fans! The song Quintessence is just reason enough to buy this cd! The songs are in a slower mode, then , what you will hear on Transilvanian Hunger. All i can say , if your into TRUE black metal, you must have Darkthrone added to your collection!

When discussions of grim, old-school raw black metal come up, Darkthrone is generally the first to be mentioned. Inevitably, the album titles that follow are those of the "Unholy Trinity": A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Under a Funeral Moon, and Transilvanian Hunger. Sometimes, even their death metal album, Soulside Journey, will come up. But somehow, almost always left out of the list is what I consider to be DT's second best album, Panzerfaust ("Blaze" will always be my favourite.) This album follows the same formula of the previous albums, but has slightly better production. Oh, it is still blisteringly cold, and undeniably Darkthrone, but somehow it is much clearer and believe it or not, it just fits. This album is very mature, compositionally, and Nocturno Culto's vocals are as violently visceral as ever. Of particular note on this album is the track "Quintessence." This track houses by far Nocturno Culto's best vocal performance, ever. He sounds so undeniably tortured, and I mean TORTURED! Not SDBM-like Leviathan or Xasthur tortured, but actually pain-filled. There are some moments where he actually sounds near tears, and he says about as many actual words on this track as he does pain-filled wails. It makes me shiver every time I hear it.

I'd recommend this obviously to all fans of DT, as well as fans of black metal in its rawest, most pure state. There's no CoF to be found here, folks, and that is just how it should be. An excellent album that every metalhead should own.

This album makes almost any other black metal band sound like a circus act. Panzerfaust is almost as extreme (but not better) than and quite different from Transilvanian Hunger. Slow, doomy and grinding but some very fast songs as well. Unlike earlier albums the sound is very thick, clear and full. Quintessence, En Vind Av Sorg and Hans Siste Vinter are among the greatest black metal songs of all time. So extreme in their misanthropy and wrath yet so unbelievably beautiful. The Hordes Of Nebulah is doomier and heavier than almost any doomband; a great song. The other tracks are also good, but not great. This album is not such a consistent and cohesive whole as its mighty predecessor. Nocturno Culto's vocals are particularly harsh though "clean", and differ from his efforts on other Darkthrone albums.
Anybody in your neighbourhood will hate this album, this is for the very few. Actually 4.5 stars, but for such a mighty band I'll round that up to 5!

While a couple of the songs could have been released on Transylvanian Hunger and are blast beat fast, Darkthrone slowed the tempo way down to a sludgecore grind (think Procreation of the Wicked by Celtic Frost) And it works. Full sounding, yet still necro, Panzerfaust is a ugly, angry listen. The last track is an electronic ambient work with vocals and percussion. Panzerfaust is one of Darkthrone's best works (behind A Blaze... and Transylvanian Hunger) and is well worth getting, as are all of their works previous to this one. On a side note check out their new album Sardonic Wrath which is the best thing they've done since Transylvanian Hunger.

this album is amazing, a momument of coldness and bitter hatred. the melodies will get in your head and will not leave. nocturno's voice will grate your ears. this album is celtic frost worship at its best and embodies exactly what anyone could want from black metal- kick ass riffs. every song has a nice hook and flows great. even the last song, a bunch of epic sounding norse meanderings, is a cool listen. this is one of darkthrone's very best albums, top 3 without a doubt.

I was first introduced to black metal by the more symphonic bands such as Dimmu, and old emperor. I could never understand what people saw in this type of Black metal. One of my friends was always raving about darkthrone so I tried to see what the big deal was about. It didnt click till I heard claws of time off of the ravishing grimmness cd. That song opened my mind up to the cold grim side of black metal. As far as Darkthrones cds go I have only bought this one and under a funeral moon. I would suggest if you are new to darkthrone to start with this cd, since I liked this one before I was able to get into Under the Funeral Moon. Although recently I have been liking Under a funeral moon more. However if you have been exposed to Black metal through new Cradle of filth I suggest you stay away from this band. New Cradle is like MTV poser blackmetal and this is just too extreme for you.
En Vind Av Sorg 10 This song hooked me the second I heard it. It is probably my second favorite Darkthrone song other than Claws of Time.
Triumphant Gleam 6.5 Its not bad but it isnt great either.
The Hordes Of Nebulah 7 This is a pretty good song.
Hans Siste Vinter 8.5 This is repetitive but who cares if it sounds this good. This puts me in a trance. It can go on for 10 minutes for all I care.
Beholding The Throne of Might 5.5 Low point of cd. I havnt been able to get into this one yet.
Quintessence 8 Damn fine song. I didnt like it at first but it grew on me.
Sno Og Granskog (Utferd) 7 This is a keyboard track which is unusual for such a grim band. Sounds dreary and repetive as you would expect. Their are clean norwegian vocals on this song. This is a very haunting conclusion to this cd.
If you are already a true black metal fan than you already have this cd. If not and you want to experiance the cold grim side of Black metal than this isnt a bad choice. Also I heard that A blazin in the northern sky and Transylvanian Hunger are essential. I dont doubt it but I cant recommend them since I havnt heard them yet. Even though I like Darkthrone I would actually suggest that you start with Burzum.

this effort from darkthrone is more raw and heavy and less tinny than previous. It is easily their best and contains their best track "beholding the throne of might' (join us,we r the future !!!!!!!)There is still a strong sense of melody even though it is as subtle as a sledgehammer, but thats what makes this Darkthrones best.

I think everyone who likes Darkthrone knows that this is the album that broke away from the sound on classics like their first releases. And there were probably hardcore fanatics of T-Hunger that bashed Darkthrone for abandoning that sound. But man, this is heaviness which ranks up there with Celtic Frost, Hellhammer, and at times it almost sounds doom laden. All these songs are classics. Varg from Burzum wrote the lyrics to the monster track on the album: Quintessence. This is my fav track and as stated in other reviews: yes, Nocturno Culto sounds like he is very pissed off, singing from the depths of hell. If you are into the second half of Darkthrone, the half that became this monster wall of heavy sound, don't miss this classic. Also check out Plague Wielder and Ravishing Grimness. This thing deserves 10 stars instead of 5.

Support all unholy black and death metal!

First of all id like to point out that norwegian black metal is dead. yes, the post-burzum early-90s-era is over and black metal isnt what it was. some of you may recognize bands like dimmu borgir and satyricon to still be black metal, but they are merely a shadow of what they used to be. darkthrone, though, has managed to keep the same raw and unrefined style to all their music. this is why they alone have maintained my respect all the way through to their newest release "Hate Them". "Panzerfaust" is arguably their best work through the years, followed closely by "Transylvanian Hunger". If you are looking for the definition of True Norwegian Black Metal, this is it, look no further. (Note: the title for track #1 is "En Vind Av Sorg" not "En Vind Ab Sorg", i know because the latter does not make sense in norwegian, my native language. it means "a wind of sorrow")