You’ll recall from May of this year, I covered Darkthrone’s first album, Soulside Journey. The only time they did a Death Metal record, Soulside Journey wasn’t necessarily a failure, but it wasn’t the biggest thing out there. The band (Some of them, at least) were dissatisfied by the end product, but it wasn’t long before change arrived. There was a rumbling in the land of Norway. A revolution was on the way. The seeds that were planted by Darkthrone, not to mention other bands in similar positions, were blossoming into a blackened flower. A flower with petals so dark, it changed the landscape of music in Norway, as well as changing the realm of Extreme Metal.
So, in the spirit of Halloween, let’s take a look at another album that’s appropriate for today. Get some corpse paint on your face, dress up in your darkest clothes, and sit down for a look at Darkthrone’s emergence into the world of Black Metal, A Blaze In The Northern Sky. Let the review begin!
Background
After encountering the legendary Black Metal pioneers, and fellow Norwegians, Mayhem, Darkthrone knew that their music needed a change to match up with the times. So they kicked out Dag Nelson, donned the classic black & white “Corpse Paint” that became synonymous with Black Metal, and took up working pseudonyms in place of their real names (Gylve Nagell - Fenriz/Ted Skjellum - Nocturno Culto/Ivar Enger - Zephyrous). In August of 1991 they recorded what would become A Blaze In The Northern Sky, and in early 1992 it was released. This was the first time that the band recorded anything related to Black Metal, and this had frightened their record company, Peaceville Records. Peaceville were expecting Darkthrone to continue working with Death Metal ala Soulside Journey, but eventually they agreed to release A Blaze In The Northern Sky, provided they were able to remix it (Peaceville Records stated that the sound was "too weak"). In response, Darkthrone threatened to release it through Deathlike Silence Productions, the record label owned by Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth of Mayhem. Eventually, Peaceville agreed to release the album as it was recorded, and the album has since become part of the band’s so-called “Unholy Trinity”, as well as an important release of Black Metal period.
Basic Description
Mommie......I’m scared!
Alright, putting the jokes aside, this is by far one of the most sinister & intimidating album I’ve ever listened to. Keep in mind, this is someone who considered The Black Album to be one of the darkest metal albums ever....until the age of 19. You can make fun of me, I won’t mind. Regardless, A Blaze In The Northern Sky is one of the pinnacles of 90s Black Metal. Long before too many cooks spoiled the broth, Black Metal had some venom to it’s bite, and during their 90s run, Darkthrone stood along side other titans of the genre like Mayhem & Immortal. With their 2nd album, Darkthrone thrust themselves onto the Black Metal scene. The guitars, the drums, and the vocal work. All of it! Their 2nd release created a sound that was unique for it’s time, and it was a moment that Darkthrone has never be able to capture again.
Best Song
Right off the bad, Kathaarian Life Code takes the “Best Song” spot on this review. Dragging it’s 10-ton demonic member into the room, it slaps you in the face with it, and says “While you listen to this song, I own you!”. This ten & a half minute track is simply sublime: screeching guitar work, furious drumming, and vocal work that sounds like the love child of a banshee and a ringwraith. Coupled with the dark & brooding chanting that acts as the beginning of the song, and you have a experience that’s quite eerie & bloodcurdling.
Kathaarian Life Code
That said, every single track on A Blaze In The Northern Sky is fantastic. From the Black Sabbath inspired In The Shadow Of The Horns.
In The Shadow Of The Horns
To the downright terrifying Where Cold Wind Blows!
Where Cold Wind Blows
No track on here is bad, and the experience of A Blaze In The Northern Sky is one that should be experienced by anyone even remotely interested in Black Metal, or Heavy Metal in general.
Worst Song
Like I said above, there are no bad songs on this album. The one thing that could be criticized is the production value. Black Metal albums from the 90s always had harsh production values, and A Blaze In The Northern Sky doesn’t escape this. The production comes across as very primitive, and to a degree rather dated. In a way this works towards the album’s favor (And Black Metal in general), as it adds to it’s mood & atmosphere. I don’t have a problem with this, as I feel that it’s certainly a strength, but I can certainly understand why people would criticize it.
Other
While this is a perfect album in all of it’s darkened glory, I should point out that this isn’t a full Black Metal album. Despite kicking out Dag Nilsen, some of the Death Metal riffwork from Soulside Journey remained. I suggest that this actually works in the album’s favor: The Black Metal vibes & sounds combined with bits of the Death Metal style of guitar & drumwork creates an album that’s very unique, not to mention very original. Sometimes it’s very obvious when the Death Metal kicks in, and other times it’s strangely subtle. Regardless, it’s a wonderful mix, and one that hasn’t been attempted since (By Darkthrone or anyone else).
Overall Impression & Rating
To quote youtuber & fellow Heavy Metal fan Razorfist said: “A Blaze In The Northern Sky is mandatory Black Metal for a reason.”. He’s not wrong! Black Metal’s heyday has always been in the 90s, with many classic albums from the genre that are still championed to this day. This album is part of that pantheon: a Black Metal title that’s aged shockingly well, and is still talked about fondly to this day. If you can get past the dated production quality, and perhaps
A Blaze In The Northern Sky gets a 10 out of 10. Only the 2nd perfect album to appear on this blog so far, and I plan on putting up more somewhere down the road.
See you next week, where I’ll get some quick posts up before Thanksgiving, as well as getting my end-of-the-year material ready. Hope All Hallows Eve goes well for you, and be sure to spot a roaring fire in the north. Perhaps it will keep you warm in the coming months, and keep you vigilant for blackened spirits. Also, if you’re interested in this album, check out the link below, and give it a listen.
A Blaze In The Northern Sky
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