Qwertyy's Journal of Music Reviews and Other Assorted Ramblings

Ol’ Qwerty Bastard · 08-01-2016, 10:48 AM

Qwertyy's Classic Review

Transilvanian Hunger by Darkthrone
Genre: Black Metal
Year of Release: 1994

Since the early days of one of heavy metal's most sinister genres, black metal has become synonymous with very raw, crusty, lo-fi production techniques. While Darkthrone are one of the cornerstone acts of that same primitive sound, it wasn't until Transylvanian Hunger, their fourth full-length album, that the duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto finally managed to reach their ultimate potential.

The wall of sound in black metal music normally is known to envelope the listener with the music, surrounding you in an almost cacophonous fashion, leaving no room for the listener to separate him or herself from the artist. With Darkthrone however, it's different. Transylvanian Hunger doesn't feel like the band are playing around me, pummelling my ear drums until I'm begging for my life. Instead, it feels like a recording from a completely separate time, planet and maybe even dimension. The ancient production quality would undoubtedly be off putting to those who aren't fans of the "trvest kvlt" black metal, but for those who find that primitive aggression to be an incredible source of musical inspiration, the raw natured instrumentation on this album makes the majority of other metal bands feel like Van freaking Halen.

It wasn't long after this album (about 10 years to be exact) that the band started venturing off towards a different sound, and slowly cut their ties with the black metal sound they once pioneered. Regardless of whether that decision was regarded highly or despised matters not, as the band gifted us plenty of cold classic Scandinavian black metal albums before disappearing into the blackest of sunsets and reappearing with a new sound. Whether you choose to worship Transylvanian Hunger, A Blaze in the Northern Sky, or any other Darkthrone release is all up to personal preference, so long as you give the real nordic kings their well deserved dues as head of their class. With that being said, if Transylvanian Hunger doesn't top your list, I highly recommend grabbing a good set of headphones, turning off the light, closing the curtains, and giving the project a closer look, because to quite frankly, it's the pinnacle of raw ugliness and utter chaos.