Released 10 years ago
The Wind of 666 Black Hearts
Darkthrone · 2016
58 min · 10 tracks · black metal
Raw, unfiltered black metal with an icy atmosphere and relentless, driving rhythms that evoke the stark Norwegian landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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A Blaze in the Northern Sky — Opening with chilling guitar riffs, this track establishes the album's dark atmosphere and showcases Darkthrone's signature raw energy.
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In the Shadow of the Horns — This track exemplifies the band's mastery of combining melody with aggression, featuring haunting vocals and complex rhythms that define their style.
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Unholy Black Metal — As a direct homage to their genre, this track encapsulates Darkthrone's ethos, delivering powerful riffs and an unmistakable sense of rebellion against mainstream trends.
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 cohesive structure reflect traditional black metal while maintaining its own identity.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent lo-fi production style, with raw guitar tones and minimalistic drumming that emphasize the cold atmosphere.
- Vocals are delivered in a harsh, raspy style that blends into the instrumentation rather than standing out, creating an immersive soundscape.
- The final track closes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of desolation.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- haunting melodies for deep focus
- unrelenting energy for late nights
- wave-like pacing with intensity
- immersive soundscapes for solitude
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek light-hearted musical experiences
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Continues their lo-fi black metal style but isn't a standout in accessibility or recognition.
- Career context
- By 2016, Darkthrone had transitioned from their early death metal roots to a fully-fledged black metal identity. 'The Wind of 666 Black Hearts' is a continuation of their lo-fi aesthetic that began in the early 90s, representing a mature phase in their uncompromising sound. This album comes after several releases that solidified their reputation as pioneers in the black metal scene.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Blaze in the Northern Sky 4:57
- 2 Kathaarian Life Code 9:10
- 3 The Pagan Winter 5:21
- 4 Where Cold Winds Blow 7:38
- 5 In the Shadow of the Horns 6:46
- 6 Summer of the Diabolical Holocaust 5:15
- 7 Crossing the Triangle of Flames 5:57
- 8 Under a Funeral Moon 5:10
- 9 The Dance of Eternal Shadows 4:26
- 10 Unholy Black Metal 3:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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