Darkthrone | |
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Nocturno Culto and Fenriz in 2005
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Background information | |
Origin | Kolbotn, Norway |
Genres |
Black metal, death metal (early), crust punk, heavy metal (later) |
Years active | 1986–present |
Labels | Peaceville, Moonfog |
Associated acts | Dødheimsgard, Isengard, Neptune Towers, Sarke, Satyricon, Storm, Valhall, Burzum |
Members |
Nocturno Culto Fenriz |
Past members |
Ivar Enger Dag Nilsen Anders Risberget |
Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band. It formed in 1986 as a death metal band under the name Black Death. In 1991, the band embraced a black metal style influenced by Bathory and Celtic Frost and became one of the leading bands in the Norwegian black metal scene. Their first three black metal albums—A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Under a Funeral Moon and Transilvanian Hunger (sometimes dubbed the "Unholy Trinity") — are considered the peak of the band's career and to be among the most influential albums in the genre. For most of this time, Darkthrone has been a duo of Nocturno Culto and Fenriz, who have sought to remain outside the music mainstream. Since 2006, their work has strayed from the traditional black metal style and incorporated more elements of traditional heavy metal, speed metal and punk rock, being likened to Motörhead.
The band that would become Darkthrone formed in late 1986 in Kolbotn, a small suburb of Oslo. They were a death metal band by the name of Black Death whose members were Gylve Nagell, Ivar Enger, Lee Hartney, Ben Mote and Anders Risberget. Main inspirations were Venom, Celtic Frost, Slayer and Cryptic Slaughter. In fall 1987, the band changed their name to Darkthrone and were joined by Dag Nilsen. Ted Skjellum joined in spring of 1988. During 1988 and 1989, the band independently released four demo tapes: Land of Frost, A New Dimension, Thulcandra, and Cromlech.