Many Black Metal fans wondered whether Darkthrone would ever show us days like these again—after albums like Transilvanian Hunger, Under A Funeral Moon, and A Blaze In The Northern Sky. I had the same thoughts but reached a different conclusion. While this shift may disappoint some, it certainly doesn’t mean Darkthrone has strayed off course. In fact, I believe they’ve released one of their best albums to date. Dark Thrones and Black Flags hit the shelves on October 20 and marked an unusual but remarkable entry for both the band and the metal world.
The band has picked up great momentum with their old-school direction, and Dark Thrones and Black Flags is the latest product of that momentum. Fenriz and Nocturno Culto continue to vent their disdain for the younger generation. And just like on the previous record, it’s no surprise to find tracks in the vein of Raised On Rock or Too Old Too Cold here.
Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have crafted this album with an excellent conceptual structure. Both the opener and the closer are outstanding. The first track, The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker, kicks things off with fantastic riffs. Before going any further, let me state the one ironclad rule in Darkthrone these days: Fenriz handles all the drums. Nocturno Culto may do everything else, and so can Fenriz, but only Fenriz plays drums. On this track, Fenriz both composed and performed vocals, while Nocturno Culto handled the guitars. It's a recent Darkthrone classic—joyful and full of energy, much like the rest of the album, which explores the gap between underground culture and the modern generation.
Throughout the album, Fenriz leans more toward punk-infused compositions and vocals, while Nocturno Culto sticks to what he calls “Heavy Metal Thunder.” The second track, Death of All Oaths (Oath Minus), is a Nocturno Culto piece. It may remind you of Darkthrone’s early 2000s sound in both lyrics and music, but make no mistake—Oath Minus is a signature track on Dark Thrones and Black Flags. As always, Nocturno Culto delivers his unmistakably grim vocal style.
Let’s talk about Hiking Metal Punks, which was released prior to the album and is both intriguing and successful. This one is 100% Fenriz. The lyrics switch between English and Norwegian, and the track holds deep personal meaning for him. Since childhood, Fenriz has spent a lot of time camping and hiking in the mountains, always blasting punk and metal during his treks. He’s known to scream along to music while walking through the woods—and this trait echoes strongly in the song. The vocal effect is deliberately echo-heavy, as if reverberating off mountain peaks. The repeated chant of “HIKING METAL PUNKS, FOREVER!!!” captures Fenriz’s eternal love for this lifestyle. The song ends magnificently.
Tracks 4, 5, and 6 are Nocturno Culto classics—but this time with a stronger northern vibe. Blacksmith of North (which begins with an intro by Fenriz) and Norway in September are both typical Nocturno Culto compositions. Interestingly, the lyrics to Norway in September and Grizzly Trade were written by Fenriz. This trio of Nocturno Culto songs introduces a more occult atmosphere to the album. Blacksmith of North, in particular, stands out as a tightly structured piece. In Grizzly Trade, Nocturno Culto’s vocals shift noticeably toward a punk approach.
As the album nears its end, we see Fenriz pulling out all the stops. He wrote and performed the title track Dark Thrones and Black Flags, an instrumental piece filled with sharp riffs and well-executed drumming. It may take a few listens to fully absorb. Then comes Hanging Out in Haiger, where Fenriz’s vocal and drumming skills absolutely shine. He delivers another standout performance, and the intro alone says it all.
Launchpad to Nothingness, composed and written by Nocturno Culto, is an average track in the context of the album, but worth noting. Then we reach the closer—Witch Ghetto—which, in my opinion, is the perfect ending for this record. As with The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker and Hanging Out in Haiger, Fenriz lets his old-school spirit soar. The final minute is flawlessly executed and wraps up the album on the highest note.
In summary, the album clearly shows Fenriz’s influence throughout, though Nocturno Culto firmly holds his ground with songs like Oath Minus, Blacksmith of North, and Grizzly Trade.
To close things out—this is an album I wholeheartedly recommend. It takes Darkthrone’s original sound from recent albums and elevates it to another level. If I had to recommend key tracks, start with Hiking Metal Punks, The Winds They Called the Dungeon Shaker, and Witch Ghetto. And for the full effect, be sure to listen in tracklist order—it truly captures the album’s essence.