Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance (2013)

I'm not entirely sure every item on my list of anticipated albums of 2013 will actually be released in 2013 - there's no info about the new Arctic Monkeys album :((( - but either way, the albums I was chomping at the bit for are slowly trickling down the pipe. February saw the release of Darkthrone's new album and, as always, people were praising it left and right. As per usual, I preferred to let the waters settle before digging in and having a feel for it myself.

It's not my favorite.

The Underground Resistance is yet another step on the Norwegian duo's own carved path of incorporating various influences into their music. The last years saw them infuse their music with punk-ish, Venom-ish, speed metal-ish vibes, and it was great. I loved the shit out of Circle the Wagons. This time around, Fenriz and Nocturno Culto went for a more traditional, heavy metal-inspired sound, bringing back fond memories of Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol and Bathory.

Word.

Unfortunately, memories alone were not enough to fight the utter boredom instilled by the second half of the album. While it starts out really promising, delivering some sweet dinosaur metal worship and plenty of clean vocals - Valkyrie is my favorite track by far - it gradually loses steam until the anti-climax called Leave No Cross Unturned hits you like a pillow thrown by an old man with its 13 minutes of boring, repetitive riffs that go absolutely nowhere. The disappointment that settled in my soul upon the ending of said track was akin to the one I felt that day I tried to be br00tal, but my mom didn't let me. The lack of any memorable riffs or any memorable anything, for that matter - except, again, for Valkyrie - is what will forever deter me from listening to this album ever again. There's simply nothing here to grab my attention.

And of course, I know. This is Darkthrone. These guys are living legends. You can't say anything bad about them, lest you anger the legions of trve metal warriors and get trampled under a thousand black combat boots for your insolence. With this in mind, I can agree that The Underground Resistance is an alright album, but it's definitely not the jewel of the crown.

Because of how dull it is.

*runs away*

Chester's Top 10 Most Highly Anticipated Albums of 2013

Following the list of my favorite album covers of 2012, I would like to continue the prelude to TZEEEAC's listmania with a list of the albums I'm most looking forward to hearing in 2013. It's already shaping up to be a great year for metal, so here's a look at some sweet stuff bound for release sometime during the following 12 months.

1. Arctic Monkeys - ????

First up, Sheffield pimply-faced-teenagers-turned-world-famous-rock-stars Arctic Monkeys are going to release the follow-up to 2011's Suck It and See. As drummer Matt Helders' mum confirmed via Tweeter, the lads are in the desert, recording their new album. Frontman Alex Turner said the band is going in a heavier direction with the new songs, so it'll be interesting to see what they understand by "heavy". It'll probably be fucking great, anyway.

2. Cynic - ????

One of my all-time favorite bands, Cynic is set to put out a new album in early 2013. Guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal spoke about the new album and the direction in which the band is going:

“It’s almost like, I don’t know how to explain it, but if I had to put it in a box it’s more sci-fi, futuristic and alien but at the same time very song driven. It’s kind of like, to me, coming into Cynic’s body more. It feels very modern and at the same time it just feels really cool. I’m big in the space. It’s definitely new. It’s not like anything we’ve done before. It’s a new colour, a new space. I think people will really take note of even the guitar stuff. I’m really shifting gears, I’m trying things in a different way and the way stuff is played. It’s a new space for Cynic for sure. It definitely sounds like us, except completely new.”

There is no way in hell I won't love whatever they come up with, so I'm definitely eager to listen to this one.

3. Darkthrone - The Underground Resistance

This right here is the cover for Darkthrone's new album, about which the band says it'll be more "epic", "basically just metal" and a "step away from the last album as usual". Sounds good to me. Bring it!

4. Ghost - Infestissumam

Ghost are also gearing up for the release of their sophomore album in Spring 2013. The band says they're going for a lavish, divine atmosphere, which I'm guessing probably means a whole lot of keyboards and eerie intros. Anyway, I'm excited about this. There's even a track listing, which goes as follows:

1. INFESTISSUMAM
2. PER ASPERA AD INFERI
3. SECULAR HAZE
4. JIGOLO HAR MEGIDDO
5. GHULEH / ZOMBIE QUEEN
6. YEAR ZERO
7. IDOLATRINE
8. BODY AND BLOOD
9. DEPTH OF SATAN’S EYES
10. MONSTRANCE CLOCK

5. Mac Lethal - ????

Mac Lethal is pretty much my favorite rapper right now and he's always posting shit about his forthcoming album on his Facebook page. It's always vague, ambiguous shit, but he swears it's going to be awesome and I believe him. I can't wait to see what's he going to come up with this time. In the meantime, he keeps making these fast rap videos about current issues, which is cool, I guess. I just wish he'd stop wearing those stupid glasses.

6. Scale the Summit - ????

Progressive instrumental metal outfit Scale the Summit have begun writing songs for an upcoming new album. Their last album, The Collective, was basically flawless, so I have high hopes for this. Not much else is known at this point, so fingers crossed it's going to turn out as good as I expect it will.

7. Suffocation - Pinnacle of Bedlam

Even if nothing works out for them in 2013, at least Suffocation's new album will have a kickass cover. The guys have released a new song which will be on Pinnacle of Bedlam, and I will hopefully manage to embed it below. 

8. Summoning - ????

The news came out of the blue: Tolkien loremasters Silenius and Protector, alias Summoning, have announced that they have finished writing a bunch of songs and are beginning the recording process for their new album, set to release next year via Napalm Death. I honestly thought these guys quit music forever and they'd never release anything ever again, so I am fucking STOKED about this. SUMMONING, EVERYONE! BACK AT IT!

9. Tumbleweed Dealer - ????

Up-and-coming Canadian stoner bros Tumbleweed Dealer have caught my attention with their debut 3-song EP Death Rides Southwards, which you can listen and download at Moshpit Tragedy. Now, the guys have begun working on a full-length album that will be fueled by beer and weed, so I'm confident that it will turn out to be great.

10. Void Forger - ????

Last up, Romanian crust/black/doom mongers Void Forger are probably (hopefully) going to release an EP or an album, sometime next year. This is the only new release in my Top 10 that's not been officially confirmed by anyone in the band, so I guess this last alphabetical entry is sort of wishful thinking. Until further updates, you would do well to take a peek around their Bandcamp page and listen to their demo. It'll take you places.

FURTHER UPDATE: Void Forger's drummer Volo has confirmed that they will indeed release a 7" EP next year. YA BOI!


So there you have it, folks, a brief look at the albums and bands I will be most excited about in 2013. I will probably be gushing with excitement over every one of these, so get ready for some top-grade fanboy posts. You have been warned.

Darkthrone - Circle the Wagons (2010)

Holy shit, why did I never listen to new-era Darkthrone? I've been banging my head to Circle the Wagons and their earlier EP Too Old, Too Cold since this morning and I can't get over how enjoyable they are. The thrashing drumming, the blackened crusty guitar riffs, the gruff pirate vocals, the lyrical rantings on I Am the Grave of the 80s and I Am the Working Class (I never expected these grim overlords to sing about their day jobs) - it's fucking great, man! It just goes to show you how a talented band can keep things fresh and interesting even after 20 years at the grind wheel.

Definite bossery going on here.