Early ('Soulside Journey' era) Death Metal by DARKTHRONE released as the 3rd. Darkthrone album on MOONFOG Productions (after 'Panzerfaust' & 'Total Death')... NO female vocals-- those are Fenriz' & Nocturno Culto's operatic falsetto weaving throughout the uniquely strange brand of Darkthrone's *technical* Death Metal [Blackened] style! Hail Herr Nagel!
Additional info:
An essential album by Norway's greatest Black Metal pioneers. 'Goatlord' is actually DARKTHRONE's second planned work, or 'battle', and is like a snapshot, frozen in time, of their transition from technical death to the later black metal style which they became so infamous for. Remastered from a rehearsal tape, with later vocal additions by Fenriz (ISENGARD) and Satyr of SATYRICON / STORM / WONGRAVEN, Moonfog Productions. Features previously unreleased material. Absolutely fantastic epic hymns of darkness, northern isolation, and occult possession. Comes in a beautifully designed DIGIPAK!
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Darkthrone "Goatlord"
11/08/2003
Reviewer:
James B from Sydney, Australia
For those more familiar with their classic albums like "A Blaze..." and "Transilvanian Hunger", this release is maybe not exactly what one would expect to hear from the true Norwegian black metal veterans Darkthrone. Fear not, however, because "Goatlord" is nevertheless one of the best and most unusual albums which the band has ever unleashed. Similarly to Marduk's stunning raw debut album "Dark Endless", "Goatlord" is a concoction of technical death metal music juxtaposed with some truly rabid black metal shrieks, making it stand out immensely over other albums of its time. Although this was originally recorded in 1992 - the period which witnessed the band's transition from death to black metal - the vocals were placed over the top in 1994, and such a strange combination was virtually unprecedented. The riffs and the galloping pace of the music clearly indicate a strong death metal influence, although this is concealed somewhat by the raw, ugly, mirky and garagey production, which provides this album with its own identity and a unique atmosphere. While the boys illustrate more than sufficiently that they are capable of playing at furiously blistering speeds, some of the slower parts of the songs unveil some truly emotive, grim and melancholic melodies, which are complemented by some icy and chilly high-pitched backing vocals. This latter feature of "Goatlord" enalbes the melodies to soar to their utmost potential, and proves to be a valuable asset to the music, which is to be contrasted with so many "female" vocal arrangements in the genre which often come across as out-of-place or simply cheesy.
Once again, the legends have created an amazing album which is wholly unique and entirely worthy of praise. And for Satyricon fans, there's even the novelty guest appearance of Satyr, who contributes to the vocal onslaughts of agonized moans and depressive wails. Put simply, "Goatlord" is the aural equivalent of unrefined hatred and misery. Highly recommended.
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