Customer Reviews

Ravishing Grimness

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

 

 

Darkthrone constantly recalls a nostalgia for the past while looking to the future. Constantly referencing bathory and Hellhammer and imbuing it with Darkthrone's own special Grimness.

This album has a more laid back but ominous tempo. Allowing the music to breathe and the Nostalgia of those long walks in the woods to shelter you in its freezing arms.

I can't help but feel like this is the black metal embodiment of nature as opposed to the music of mankind that so many other bands evoke. The haunting woods call to me.

Must Buy

I had my doubts upon first listen to this album, but after a few spins I was sucked into the pure mood and the atmosphere that is "Ravishing Grimness". Flashy hooks and interesting time changes are not the theme to this album, it is complete, stripped down Black Metal with a hint of underlying melody; which sets it apart in some ways from other releases. The one thing this does have in common with everyother Darkthrone album is HATE, this album is filled with a hateful mood and emits a total feeling of raw darkness. It takes some real appreciation for the band to get into this album but once you do; it's worth it, this is amazing yet underated album. Don't let people's nay-saying reviews sway you because if you're a true fan of Darkthrone (and not just the Peaceville version) then you should give this album a few good detailed and opened minded listens, do this and you have yourself a real treat. Stand out tracks for me are "The Claws of Time" "Across the Vacuum" and "To The Death". Truly an unappreciated masterpiece. HAIL DARKTHRONE \m/

Darkthrone are still giving us what we want! This album is not as great as "Panzerfaust" or "Transilvanian Hunger" , but it's still great old school black metal. The title-track and "Claws of Time" are the most outstanding tracks on the record. They have slowed down a bit on this release, but they've maintained the brutality. Nocturno Culto writes amazing riffs and Fenriz still writes excellent satanic poetry.
If you don't own any Darkthrone albums, I would rather go with "Panzerfaust" or "Transilvanian Hunger". Compared to those releases, this cd lacks a little bit of aggresion and hatred, but I'll rate it 4 stars without a doubt... BRILLIANT STUFF!!!

This is a good Darkthrone album, a bit more accessible than some of their early work, but still a grim experience. It's simple atmosperic Black Metal, with a cold sound and no pretence for being new and groundbreaking. Tracks like "In the Claws of Time" sends shiver down my spine, Darkthrone is one of the few bands that still retain the old magic. Darkthrone don't have, to they were groundbreaking both with, Soulside Journey and A Blaze in the Northern Sky. Now they produce what they do best, True Black Art. The drumming of Fenriz is still simple and to the point, the guitars are like a buzzsaw and the vocals of Nocturno Culto haunting and grim.

I've owned the particular Darkthrone record for a few years now and haven't been able to fully "get" them since I bought and quickly sold "Transylvanian Hunger," the album widely hailed as their masterpiece. I made THAT purchase alongside such intense and technical classics as "Anthems to the Welkin at Dusk" by the incomparable Emperor and "Dusk and Her Embrace" by the early Cradle of Filth. In comparison, "Transylvanian Hunger" didn't stand a chance since both of the aforementioned albums were incredibly fast, dissonant, and classically-inspired in the case of Emperor and catchy, slick, and melodic in the case of Cradle of Filth. Those were two albums that got me into the genre, but appreciation for the mighty Darkthrone would not come until just recently. Darkthrone isn't very fast. Darkthrone isn't very heavy. Darkthrone has, however, the largest amount of intangibles aiding their sound and legacy in probably all of the legendary Norwegian black metal scene. The presentation and atmosphere they've always espoused doesn't sink in as easily as some other bands' attempts. To me, they are the essence of black metal, to apply the most literal meaning to the word "essence." This is not to say that these two men aren't talented musicians. They are currently working on album number twelve, if I have that correct, and have long-since perfected their rock influenced brand of horribly misanthropic metal. I think that at first, I may have balked at the rock element of Darkthrone, and now this is what I most cherish. I detect a small tinge of Motorhead sometimes, and that's always great. The songwriting is all pretty much mid-tempo for black metal, but very memorable and resists becoming dull after repeated listens. It takes a little while for the slower melodies and chord structure to fully unfold, but the delivery is awesome on "Ravishing Grimness." My favorite tracks are "Lifless," and "The Claws of Time." The epic-feeling first riff on this song is maybe the best on the record, and the frozen vocals of Nocturno Culto rival Satyr's for my favorite in black metal. Worthy of mention are the lyrics of Fenriz, who plays the drums in addition to writing all the poetry. His angle on hatred and satanism is unique and completely free of cliche. There is quite a bit of the greats reflected(Crowley, Lovecraft, LaVey, etc.)without approaching plaigiarism remotely. Simple guitar playing, interesting time signatures, rhythmic and hypnotic percussion, and insanely vengeful vocals all team up to chew away at your soul. I would like to hear a beefier bass mixed in, but aside from that, the sound is exactly what is should be without forsaking their code of recording. The recording is not as "necro" as earlier Darkthrone, and therefore a little more accessible. I'm glad I gave them a second chance. This is incredible metal still being played by some of the founders of their style.

I'm a pretty big fan of Darkthrone's earlier work, such as panzerfaust, Transylvanian Hunger, and Total Death, even the newest one The Cult is Alive is very well done. But this album makes me think of what it would be like if a standard rock band tried to do a few black metal cover's it doesn't work. If your new to the band or the genre, check out the other's I mentioned prior.

Darkthrone seems to be getting better with each release! No doubts, RG is one of the best BM albums you could ever wish to hear, period.

Dark, melodic grooves, filled with loads of hooks, and Fenriz's grim vocals. This reminds me of early Burzum, or even a heavier/darker version of Storm (another Darkthrone side project).

Best tracks - Lifeless, To the Death, and The Beast, are exceptional, but all are very good.

My only complaint, the album is too short, and that is being picky. If you enjoy well structured mid-paced BM then grab this gem immediatiely!

This is a good Darkthrone album, a bit more accessible than some of their early work, but still a grim experience. It's simple atmosperic Black Metal, with a cold sound and no pretence for being new and groundbreaking. Tracks like "In the Claws of Time" sends shiver down my spine, Darkthrone is one of the few bands that still retain the old magic. Darkthrone don't have, to they were groundbreaking both with, Soulside Journey and A Blaze in the Northern Sky. Now they produce what they do best, True Black Art. The drumming of Fenriz is still simple and to the point, the guitars are like a buzzsaw and the vocals of Nocturno Culto haunting and grim.

When the need to create a Darkthrone album came up, as there's no unifying spirit or idea behind this but a next-year's-product of a mellow and limply listenable version of this once great band. Avoid and buy the first five or move on to Ildjarn, Xibalba, Graveland or Burzum. Even Plaguewielder is better, but on the larger scale of things not by much.