Darkthrone Cult Is Alive CD - Import

At a time when most of the first wave of Norwegian black metal bands are long gone, Darkthrone has become the senior figures of this particular subgenre almost by default; they're like the Rolling Stones of death metal. And much like the Rolling Stones around the time of Some Girls and Emotional Rescue, Darkthrone now seems to be caught between staying true to their original sound and adapting to the commercial marketplace. The album's first single, "Too Old, Too Cold" is easily the most immediately accessible song the band has ever done, sounding more like American hardcore punks the Misfits than anyone else, and elsewhere "Graveyard Slut" and "Whiskey Funeral" add to the album's punky feel. Longtime fans might grouse about the somewhat diluted sound of the album, but the shift in emphasis is both subtle and effective. Rather than simply going through the black metal motions, The Cult Is Alive is one of Darkthrone's most satisfying recent albums. ~ Stewart Mason

Never failing to keep the creative wheels turning, Norwegian black metal band Darkthrone are back with their 12th album, The Cult Is Alive. Though they've became known as one of the most notorious and influential black metal bands to appear in the Norwegian black metal scene, they have now begun to make larger changes in their style. The Cult Is Alive shows the band writing away from black metal and into a more punk-oriented sound. Includes the enhanced video track 'Too Old, Too Cold' that has been slated as the first single. Includes different artwork than the regular CD, and an exclusive double sided poster packaged in a deluxe clam box. Peaceville. 2006.Uncut (p.112) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "First-wave Norwegian black-metal pioneers hark back to the genre's primitive beginnings..."