Darkthrone - Hate Them (2003, 2018) torrent

Black Metal from Kolbotn, Norway
Codec WMA Lossless

Hate Them is perhaps an overlooked release in the Darkthrone discography. Their first three (or four) black metal releases are oft hailed, while the rest of their prolific output is dismissed by the few, the tr00, the corpse painted.

Hate Them features some of the aggression and speed of their earlier works, yet has some dynamics and significantly improved production values.

The album opens with a slow, plodding, dissonant guitar riff in a track aptly named "Rust". The track, for the first couple minutes is, well, slowly corrosive as tension builds before the intensity is kicked up a notch and the plodding is pushed to a forced march pace. Finally, as Nocturno Culto croons, "like early black metal", the demonic duo kick to a full tilt gallop and close out the track with a riff and break-neck pace reminiscent of Under A Funeral Moon.

The opening track is significant to me, as it does illustrate the marriage of styles that make up this album. Tracks largely feature that tremolo "necro" riffing style straight out of their older works, interspersed with some slower sections that help develop a counterpoint which prevents this album from just being a forgettable blur dynamics are a good thing.

The subsequent tracks are well constructed and well ordered within the release. "Rust" closes on a fast pace, which is carried through the next track, "Det Svarter Na", and into "Fucked Up And Ready To Die", before that track slows it down for a bit, only to kick it up again. The pacing continues in this manner, with Hate Them closing on a fast, powerful note with "In Honour Of Thy Name."

The production is vastly improved of their earlier works. It is certainly NOT of the crystalline, slick, variety that renders the music soulless, like many other black metal stalwarts have shifted to later in their careers when they were finally provided some semblance of a recording budget. It's still dirty, foul, stuff that is emanating from your speakers only unlike Darkthrone's earlier works, the riffs and drums have power behind them.

Lyrically this is probably their best work to date, and probably since, as well. Like Slayer's epic Reign In Blood, there are plenty of wonderful little lyrical lines you, too, can shout/croak along with at home "Let's leave this sinking ship together", "Fucked up and ready to die!!!!!" (from the song of the same name), "Black Metal is the Devil's Fuel" ("In Honour Of Thy Name")

All in all, I think Hate Them stands (when the smoke clears) as a highpoint in Nocturno and Fenriz' musical output. It's got yer tremolo-necro riffs at a diabolic pace, and some slower sections that slowly corrode your soul. Factor in the happy fun lyrics and a couple bucks devoted to production to give it a little muscle and it's a good time for the whole family.

Tracklist:
1. Rust 6:44
2. Det Svartner Nå 5:38
3. Fucked Up And Ready To Die 3:43
4. Ytterst I Livet 5:25
5. Divided We Stand 5:17
6. Striving For A Piece Of Lucifer 5:30
7. In Honour Of Thy Name 6:28

Personnel:
Drums - Fenriz
Guitar, Bass, Vocals, Design - Nocturno Culto