Released 10 years ago
Arctic Thunder
Darkthrone · 2016
39 min · 8 tracks · black metal
Raw, unrefined black metal melds with a cold, atmospheric soundscape that echoes the harshness of the Arctic.
Top tracks — play these first
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Burial Bliss — This track encapsulates the album's themes of isolation and desolation through its chilling guitar riffs and relentless tempo shifts, embodying classic black metal intensity.
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Arctic Thunder — The title track serves as a powerful centerpiece, featuring a blend of melodic passages and fierce vocals that evoke the stark landscapes of its namesake.
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Inbred Vermin — With its dissonant chords and thematic depth, this song critiques societal decay while maintaining an aggressive energy typical of Darkthrone’s style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's raw sound and atmospheric elements reflect Darkthrone's roots while maintaining a cohesive flow across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a cold, atmospheric tone, followed by faster-paced songs that alternate with slower, more melodic sections.
- Each track features raw production, with prominent guitar riffs and harsh vocals that create an unrefined sound characteristic of early black metal.
- The final track is notably longer than the others, featuring extended instrumental passages that build tension before concluding the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo exploration
- haunting atmosphere of isolation
- immersive soundscapes for reflection
- journey through vast landscapes
Maybe skip if you
- seek instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — 'Arctic Thunder' marks a return to roots and is critically acclaimed for its authenticity.
- Career context
- In 2016, Darkthrone released 'Arctic Thunder' as their 16th studio album, marking a return to their roots after experimenting with various styles in previous releases. This album followed the more doom-oriented 'The Underground Resistance' and indicates a deliberate embrace of classic black metal aesthetics.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tundra Leech 5:04
- 2 Burial Bliss 4:59
- 3 Boreal Fiends 5:50
- 4 Inbred Vermin 5:49
- 5 Arctic Thunder 4:41
- 6 Throw Me Through the Marshes 5:00
- 7 Deep Lake Trespass 4:48
- 8 The Wyoming Distance 3:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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