Sardonic Wrath
Darkthrone · 2004
34 min · 9 tracks · black metal
A raw and aggressive blend of black metal that channels nihilism through relentless riffs and haunting atmospheres.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hate Is the Law — This track exemplifies the album's fierce energy with its relentless pace and visceral lyrics that confront societal norms head-on.
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Information Wants to Be Syndicated — A standout for its biting commentary on media saturation, this track's aggressive instrumentation complements its critical lyrical stance.
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Sacrificing to the God of Doubt — The song merges atmospheric tension with a driving rhythm, creating a compelling exploration of existential uncertainty that resonates throughout the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases aggressive riffs and raw production, effectively embodying its underground black metal ethos.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of tremolo-picked guitar riffs that dominate the soundscape, creating an aggressive and relentless atmosphere.
- Vocals are delivered in a harsh, raspy style that complements the raw production, often layered with reverb to enhance the haunting quality.
- Each track maintains a relatively short duration, averaging around three to four minutes, which contributes to the album's fast-paced intensity.
- The final track ends abruptly without resolution, leaving a sense of unresolved tension that aligns with the album's nihilistic themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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
Significant within its genre. 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 aggression
- nihilistic themes for reflection
- focused listening in sequence
- raw energy for catharsis
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and cheerful
- seek polished production quality
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in the catalog that showcases their underground commitment without mainstream appeal.
- Career context
- Released in 2004, 'Sardonic Wrath' is the ninth studio album by Darkthrone, coming after their pivot to a more punk-infused sound with 'Plaguewielder' in 2001. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their status as pioneers in the black metal genre while exploring darker, more chaotic themes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Order of the Ominous 2:32
- 2 Information Wants to Be Syndicated 3:43
- 3 Sjakk matt Jesu Krist 4:03
- 4 Straightening Sharks in Heaven 3:26
- 5 Alle gegen alle 3:21
- 6 Man tenker sitt 3:04
- 7 Sacrificing to the God of Doubt 4:33
- 8 Hate Is the Law 3:21
- 9 Rawness Obsolete 6:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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