DARKTHRONE: ETERNAL HAILS.....

   As one of the most influential pioneers of what we now know as the "second wave of Black Metal" (one of the most feared and revered subgenres of Metal music), Darkthrone have earned the undisputable right to create music in whatever sound and style they may choose. 

   Throughout their career Darkthrone have dabled in many different forms of musical extremity, ranging from their Death Metal debut, through their trve kvlt Black Metal heyday, to forays into Black n' Roll, before drawing on the roots of their influences and branching out into more traditional Heavy Metal approaches with their previous full-length opus, the superb Old Star. So it makes perfect sense that with their latest phenomenal outing, the wonderfully bleak cosmic ride that is Eternal Hails..., Darkthrone are yet again opting for a different tactic. The new approach, the description of which boldly adorns the back cover of the albums physical copy, enscribed rather ambitiously as "epic Black Heavy Metal", is an apt and fitting label indeed. Eternal Hails... is undeniably epic, chillingly Black and is most certainly Heavy.  

   Comprised of 5 mighty pillars of raw and roughly produced brutish Metal brilliance, Eternal Hails.... is a masterfully forged monolith worthy of Darkthrone's prestigious legacy. Introducing the frost-bitten affair "His Master's Voice" is steeped in spacey atmospherics, driven by Fenriz's battering drums and Nocturno Culto's guitar talents, ranging from haunting Doom Metal leading to nasty shredding riffs. As with their later albums, Nocturno Culto handles the vocal duties, impressively displaying his harsh, raspy screams like a man possessed by the demonic spirit of Black Metal itself. Unlike the overt Black n' Roll vibes of the opening track, "Hate Cloak" forms a beautiful contrast with its much more traditionally Doom orientated sound, producing a seismically heavy song which fuses the weight and pace of Black Sabbath and the epic Heavy styles of Cirith Ungol with Darkthrone's own flair for stunning Black Metal.

   As black as night, the enthralling "Wake Of The Awakened" harks back to the raw unadulterated Black Metal majesty of Darkthrone's seminal A Blaze In The Northern Sky and its successors. In all, this is a genuinely epic track which is laden heavily with punchy riffs, heavy bass tones, enchanting grooves and delightfully clamourous drumming. Channelling Doomy atmospheric elements of Celtic Frost coupled with monstrously sludgy feedback heavy Blackened riffing and effective pace changes, "Voyage To A North Pole Adrift" is a truly epic 9 minute plus musical journey, one in which Darkthrone masterfully navigate their Black Metal vessel through the icy waters of traditional, Doom, Black n' Roll and even Thrash Metal influences.

   Closing the album, "Lost Arcane City Of Uppåkra" is the oddest offering of Eternal Hails..., it is also a brilliant track which is again very Sabbath-esque in nature and complete with chilling electronic ambience, heavy bass fuzz, and collosal crushing riffs. 

   Overall, Eternal Hails.... is an excellent album from a band formed of 2 legendary veteran musicians who clearly have the golden touch. Although only containing 5 songs (the shortest of which is still over 7 minutes in length) Eternal Hails... is an encapsulating epic ride from start to finish, guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Well written and constructed, cleverly harsh and raw in terms of production, Eternal Hails... stands up strongly in Darkthrone's solid discography.  

NO NONSENSE METAL RATING: 8/10

For fans of; MARDUK, CELTIC FROST, 1349

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