Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band from Kolbotn, Akershus. The band formed in 1986 under the name Black Death and initially performed death metal before transitioning to black metal in 1991, drawing influence from bands such as Bathory and Celtic Frost. Darkthrone became one of the leading acts in the Norwegian black metal scene.

In 1991, Darkthrone released its debut studio album "Soulside Journey", which remains its only full-length death metal release. The subsequent albums "A Blaze in the Northern Sky" (1992), "Under a Funeral Moon" (1993), and "Transilvanian Hunger" (1994) are often collectively referred to as the "Unholy Trinity" and are widely regarded as influential within the black metal genre.

Since 1993, Darkthrone has functioned as a duo consisting of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto, following the departure of guitarist Zephyrous. The band has generally maintained a low public profile and distanced itself from mainstream music industry practices. In later years, it collaborated with the National Library of Norway on exhibitions related to Norwegian cultural history and black metal. From 2006 onward, Darkthrone incorporated elements of traditional heavy metal, punk, and speed metal into its music, and later releases also include influences from doom metal.

In 2016, the music publication Loudwire ranked Darkthrone among the 50 greatest metal bands of all time.

The group that would become Darkthrone formed in late 1986 in Kolbotn. Initially known as Black Death, the band consisted of Gylve Nagell, Ivar Enger, and Anders Risberget. Influences at the time included Autopsy, Venom, Hellhammer, Celtic Frost, Slayer, and Nocturnus. In 1987, the band adopted the name Darkthrone and was joined by Dag Nilsen. In 1988, Ted Skjellum replaced Risberget. Between 1988 and 1989, the band independently released the demo recordings "Land of Frost", "A New Dimension", "Thulcandra", and "Cromlech".

Darkthrone later signed a four-album contract with Peaceville Records. In 1990, it recorded "Soulside Journey" at Sunlight Studios, with assistance from members of Nihilist and Entombed. Although primarily a death metal album, it contained early elements of black metal in its presentation and composition. After its release, the band began developing new material that reflected a gradual stylistic shift. Instrumental recordings from this period were later compiled and released as "Goatlord" in 1996, with vocals added by Fenriz.

In 1991, influenced in part by Euronymous of Mayhem, the band adopted visual and thematic elements associated with black metal, including corpse paint and pseudonyms. Gylve Nagell became known as Fenriz, Ivar Enger as Zephyrous, and Ted Skjellum as Nocturno Culto. The album "A Blaze in the Northern Sky", recorded in 1991 and released in 1992, marked Darkthrone’s first full transition toward black metal, despite initial hesitation from its record label. Following its recording, bassist Dag Nilsen left the band and did not participate in its promotion.

The album "Under a Funeral Moon", recorded in 1992 and released in 1993, further established Darkthrone’s black metal style and was the final release to feature Zephyrous. In 1994, "Transilvanian Hunger" was released as the band’s first album recorded as a duo. The album featured a deliberately raw production style and minimalistic approach. Its release generated controversy due to lyrical contributions by Varg Vikernes and the inclusion of politically charged wording in the album booklet.

From 1995 onward, Darkthrone released albums through Moonfog Productions. "Panzerfaust" (1995) and "Total Death" (1996) continued the band’s black metal direction, with the latter featuring lyrics written by several guest contributors. During the mid-1990s, Fenriz participated in multiple side projects, including Neptune Towers, Isengard, and Storm, and also contributed to recordings by other bands.

On 6 April 1996, Darkthrone performed its final live concert at the event "A Night of Unholy Black Metal" in Oslo. The band subsequently ceased live performances.

In 1999, Darkthrone released "Ravishing Grimness", followed by "Plaguewielder" in 2001. These albums featured increased songwriting contributions from Nocturno Culto and were recorded in a different studio environment, resulting in a comparatively clearer production. In 2002, a portion of the track "Kathaarian Life Code" was used in the film "Demonlover".

The albums "Hate Them" (2003) and "Sardonic Wrath" (2004) maintained the band’s black metal style while incorporating additional elements such as electronic introductions. "Sardonic Wrath" was nominated for a Norwegian Alarm Award, although the band declined the nomination.

In 2005, Darkthrone returned to Peaceville Records and established its own label, Tyrant Syndicate Productions. The EP "Too Old, Too Cold" was released in 2006 and marked the band’s first charting release. It included the track "High on Cold War" and a cover of "Love in a Void". That same year, the album "The Cult Is Alive" introduced a stronger influence of crust punk, marking a stylistic shift.

The EP "NWOBHM" was released in 2007, followed by the album "F.O.A.D." later that year, which continued the band’s incorporation of punk and traditional heavy metal elements. In 2008, "Dark Thrones and Black Flags" was released, and in 2010, "Circle the Wagons" further emphasized traditional heavy metal and speed metal influences.

In 2013, Darkthrone released "The Underground Resistance", which marked a departure from black metal in favor of classic heavy metal styles. The album "Arctic Thunder" (2016) combined elements of the band’s earlier black metal sound with influences from traditional heavy metal.

Later releases include "Old Star" (2019), which introduced stronger doom metal influences, "Eternal Hails......" (2021), "Astral Fortress" (2022), and "It Beckons Us All......." (2024). A compilation titled "The Wind of 666 Black Hearts" was released in 2016, and the box set "Shadows of Iconoclasm" followed in 2021. In 2026, the band announced the album "Pre-Historic Metal", scheduled for release on 8 May 2026.

Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkthrone

Studio albums Soulside Journey (1991) A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992) Under a Funeral Moon (1993) Transilvanian Hunger (1994) Panzerfaust (1995) Total Death (1996) Goatlord (1996) Ravishing Grimness (1999) Plaguewielder (2001) Hate Them (2003) Sardonic Wrath (2004) The Cult Is Alive (2006) F.O.A.D. (2007) Dark Thrones and Black Flags (2008) Circle the Wagons (2010) The Underground Resistance (2013) Arctic Thunder (2016) Old Star (2019) Eternal Hails...... (2021) Astral Fortress (2022) It Beckons Us All (2024) Pre-Historic Metal (2026)