Darkthrone A Blaze in the Northern Sky |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Kathaarian Life Code
2. In the Shadow of the Horns
3. Paragon Belial
4. Where Cold Winds Blow
5. A Blaze in the Northern Sky
6. The Pagan Winter
| Ranking: #29 for 1992 | |
| | other reviews | oblin (5)
... | K. McNichols (5)
Innovative and groundbreaking, A Blaze In the Northern Sky will forever be acclaimed as the pinnacle... | Kalle J. (4.5)
My life story, and then a bit about this awesome album. Early 90's introduced many albums which now ... |
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5 of 5 thought this review was well written
(Black Metal) Darkthrone - A Blaze In The Northern Sky
A Blaze In The Northern Sky is Darkthrone's first Black Metal album released in 1992. This album was the first of their Black Metal era, and their transition from Death to Black. It still has some Death Metal qualities (if only a few) which were basically eliminated on the following two releases.
The production of black metal in general really puts some people off. However, the production on this album should be looked at differently. When somebody new to black metal begins to listen to this album, they should remember that the best production is not always crystal clear and flawless. Everything that is happening can be clearly heard, but it is soaked in a nice layer of fuzz. The vocals are distanced from the music, the guitar tone is nice and thick, the drums pound away, and the bass fills it all out. This would probably be my number two pick for Favorite Black Metal Production (right behind Filosofem.)
To the newcomer, there is nothing wrong with this album or the production, it's just the sound of your ears losing their virginity to Black Metal.
Transylvanian Hunger is often people's introduction to the band, but in my opinion, this album is superior. Even though it doesn't bother me, i can see people getting tired of the repetition on Transylvanian Hunger. It creates a great hypnotic atmosphere, but not everyone can appreciate this. ABITNS, however, has more variation and is easier to listen to straight through.
The bass isn't very special on this album, but it is present. People complain of Black Metal not having enough bass, but it's there to fill out the sound, and it does that well on this album. It's not very prominent until you think what it would sound like with no low end at all.
The vocals on this album are a high point. The way they are soaked in reverb and distanced from the music inspired tons of black metal to come. You can hear the raw emotion and hate pouring out through each and every screech and scream, just the way it should be.
The drums get the job done, and that's what counts (Especially in BM).
This album is an absolute classic. The production is perfect for the album, and the atmosphere is also perfect. Without too much repetition, this isn't as hard to listen to as some of their later work. This album deserves a 5/5 even if just for being such a classic and influental release.
Recommended listening (My Personal Favorites):
In The Shadow of The Horns
Paragon Belial
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| Recent reviews by this author | | |
Album Rating: 3
Good review mate. This is the only Darkthrone album I have and it deserves 5/5 for being a classic. The actual content of the album, however, I would give a 3.5/5. It's good stuff.
I like the way that some of the songs have a bit of groove to them. Fenriz's drumming is pretty decent.
It would be nice of you to add a tracklist and album cover. 
Digging: Quiet Steps - Secular Digging: Quiet Steps - Secular | | | Album Rating: 5
I have a tracklist in there, and sort of forgot about an album cover :- .
Are these things edit-able? Also, why does it say it's Death Metal on the main page?
/edit, nevermind I figured it outThis Message Edited On 06.06.05
| | | Album Rating: 3
It says Death Metal because thats the only extreme style they have under Metal. I wish everything would just go under Metal.
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Good review. This is one of my all-time favourite BM albums, not technically impressive by any means but there's something I just feel from Darkthrone's music that I can't get enough of. 5 stars from me.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Holy balls this is amazing. This album introduced me to Darkthrone. Wow, am I impressed.
| | | Album Rating: 5
this cd is very impressive, i love it
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
My favorite Darkthrone album by far. Production aside, this album had the more creative writing that set it apart from their later albums.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Updated the review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Gotta love this album. Kathaarian Life Code is my favorite Darkthrone song as of late.
Digging: Saint Vitus - Lillie: F-65 | | | Album Rating: 4.5
sweetness
| | | Album Rating: 5
Nice update!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I agree with you in that this album is superior to TH. I just seem to listen to this one much more.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This is definitley my favorite darkthrone album, and quite possibly my favorite black metal album. Good review.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This is definitley my favorite darkthrone album, and quite possibly my favorite black metal album. Good review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
This is my favorite raw and traditional black metal album, but I've always been more attracted to the melodic black metal albums more, especially Emperor and Dissection.
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Great album, my favourite Darkthrone.
Nice review fag
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
awesome review!!!!
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
I love good reviews that are short, and this is one of them.
Darkthrone, mmmmmmm....
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I've listened to two songs and I feel the need to say this;
"The drums get the job done, and that's what counts (Especially in BM)."
No. The drumming in TH is "getting the job done". Fenriz's drumming on this is so much more, he does some astoundingly unique stuff on here and gives the music a sense of chaos that you can't find in most other black metal. He's a legend, too bad he dumbed his playing down.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Awesome album and review. This album is second only to Transylvanian Hunger. This Message Edited On 11.22.06
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