Darkthrone — Panzerfaust( 2025 reissue)
Released in 1995, Panzerfaust was the fifth album from Darkthrone. It saw the band returning to their BM roots, with many of the tracks having very clear nods towards the likes of Bathory and Celtic Frost- though still managing to maintain some of their own grimly churning and blackly lo-fi coldness. From Peaceville Records, as part of their series of two-disc CD releases of classic BM albums from the band, this is a reissue of the album. The first disc takes in the original album, and the second disc features a full-length commentary track from songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Feriz.
As with the other reissues in this series, the two CDs come presented in a slimline jewel case, with just a fold-out inlay. On the front cover, we have the necro/ high contrast picture of a nighttime forest with the stark moon just showing behind one of the trees.
For this album, the band were the two-piece of Fenriz – guitar, bass, drums, synths, spoken word vocals, and Nocturno Culto – lead vocals. And like the previous album, Transilvanian Hunger- the music was recorded on a four-track in Feriz's bedroom, with Nocturno Culto adding his vocals later. I’d say the production on this album largely feels slightly less lo-fi, as you can clearly define all of the instruments, with the vocals being more up front in the mix.
I’ll have to admit that when I first heard this album, after the Unholy Trinity of A Blaze in the Northern Sky, Under a Funeral Moon, and Transilvanian Hunger. It felt rather underwhelming and disappointing, as in places it was far too close to the band's influences, at times wholesale stealing their tropes. But over the years I’ve grown to enjoy it more- and yes, there are more than a few moments of all-out copying going on here- there is fair, experimentation, and rewarding grimness present. You have to think back to the time this album was made, and the band had somewhat painted themselves into a corner, and they just couldn’t record another focused BM record- they had to try something different.
The album features seven tracks and thirty-nine minutes of music. We open with almost the grim and simple ( almost) slide guitar tremolo of “En vind av sorg", with ‘ripping barking in your ears’ vocals, and more moody second riff churn. There’s the slow and raw pounding pace, baying throat roar, and cooling hissing/ bounding drums of “The Hordes of Nebulah”.
In its second half, we have the studded fist band punching rhythm, steady chainsaw guitar riff churn, and very loud in the mix vocals of “Quintessence”- which sounds like ground down Venom, before dropping into a grim freakout. With the album playing out with the grim piping synths, stern spoken word vocals, and stripped back/ moody percussion detail of “Snø Og Granskog (Utferd)”.
Yes, Panzerfaust isn’t the band’s most distinctive, important, or consistent album- but it’s a decent stepping stone to their future, with some rewarding moments.
Moving on to the second disc, and we of course have the Feriz album commentary track, and as with the other tracks, it’s most interesting/ insightful. On “Triumphant Gleam” he talks about the Celtic Frost feel of the track, discussing how he discovered the band, and how they became a huge influence on his songwriting. He talks about the punk/ thrash crossover feel in some moments of the track, and how much he likes the sound of the ride cymbal.
On “Hans siste vinter" he talks about how this track was built around leftover elements from the Transilvanian Hunger sessions. And mentions about the mistakes on the drum track, and how he was more focused on the retro-sounding tracks. He declares the riff is like an Iron Maiden riff played by Bathory. And on “Snø Og Granskog (Utferd)” we find out the lyrics are based on a 1946 poem by Tarjei Vesaas, and how the synth effect was used on some of the recordings he did with his solo project Isengard.
Once again, this is another most worthy reissue of a 90’s Darktrone album- I do hope they give similar treatment to later releases from the band, as it’d be great to hear the stories/influences behind albums such as Ravishing Grimness, and Old Star.