Review Summary: A grim masterpiece that both summarizes and validates everything for which Scandinavian black metal would become known.
To many of those familiar with Darkthrone’s work, and black metal in general, A Blaze in the Northern Sky is an encapsulation of everything that the Scandinavian black metal scene of the early 1990s stood for; lo-fi production, satanic lyrics, furious blast-beats, etc. However, from the band’s own admission, ABITNS was not a PURE black metal album, as half of the songs still featured riffs from the band’s death metal phase. Determined to leave behind their roots once and for all, Darkthrone set out to create Under a Funeral Moon with the intention that it should be pure unholy black metal. In doing so, the band created what is quite possibly THE archetypical black metal album, and therefore an essential album for anyone interested in the genre.
Upon first glance it even looks like a classic black metal album, with all the aesthetic features that one would expect. Pictured on its cover is a black and white photograph of one of the band’s members sporting corpse paint and holding up what appears to be a human skull. In the off chance that that is not vile enough for you, then take a look at the lyrics sheet and one will find some the most unholy blasphemy ever put to song. The best example of this can be found on the aptly name “Unholy Black Metal,” which features such wonderfully twisted lines as “When the demons ride the nuns/With their horns of dark desire.” But these are all aesthetic virtues; more important is the music itself.
Right from those first blood-curdling moments, the most apparent difference between this album and its predecessor is the production. While ABITNS was shockingly lo-fi, Under a Funeral Moon goes even further, featuring fidelity that can only be described as subterranean. Rather than merely sounding distorted and fuzzy, the guitars on this album sound paper thin, the bass is nearly inaudible, and the drums sound as though Fenriz is beating away on an empty coffee tin. For some, including those who accepted ABITNS and Transylvanian Hunger, the production here is so rough that the album is unlistenable (or at least less enjoyable), and that is exactly what the band intended. Production this raw and primitive is meant to turn off all but the most patient and devoted listener. Fortunately for those who do take the time to acquire the taste, the production does over time develop a frozen and desolate feel that only those who have lived through a frigid northern winter can truly understand.
The other thing that separates this album from its predecessor (or its successor for that matter) is the astounding amount of variation concealed beneath that frozen production. Album opener “Natassja in Eternal Sleep” is much shorter and more direct than anything on ABITNS, and it provides an excellent showcase for Fenriz’s furious drumming skills. After the powerful opener the music quickly shifts gears to the multi-segmented “Summer of the Diabolical Holocaust.” Featuring no less than three distinctive sections and even a guitar solo, this song provides an excellent example of the band’s superior song writing skills and Zephyrous’ instrumental talents. “To Walk the Infernal Fields” is another stand out epic which features slow paced and repetitive riffing and an ominous middle section in which the band almost certainly summoned something forth. Meanwhile, Inn I de Dype Skogers Favn gives the listener a taste of the relentless intensity that the band would perfect on their next outing, and Nocturno Culto’s horrifying shrieks provide the icing on top of this horrifying satanic cake.
Even though it’s not a monumental leap forward like its predecessor was, Under a Funeral Moon is a masterpiece in its own right. Also contributing to its classic status is the fact that it is perhaps the purest example of early ‘90s black metal. Everything that the genre would become known for, whether it be the intensity, production, or general aesthetics, is all present here. For this reason, Under a Funeral Moon is essential listening for any black metal fan, as well as anybody who may be interested in exploring the more austere corners of the metal world.
