Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Darkthrone - It Beckons Us All....... (2024)

Based on Darkthrone’s last three albums, I should love It Beckons Us All. I absolutely lapped up Astral Fortress, Eternal Hails and Old Star, affording two out those three ratings of over four stars. This methodology of what I saw described in one review as “radical egocentrism” or “artistic freedom”, whereby Fenriz and Ted just do whatever the fuck they like has served them well in my book. It has produced some earthy sounding metal that stands out in the modern era like a sore thumb when compared to the more polished elements of metal music nowadays. For the record, I have no problem with any degree of egocentrism if produces true sounding music like Darkthrone have done over the last five years or so.

I recall that I may even have gone as far as to suggest that I may like modern Darkthrone more than I do the early black metal incarnation of the band. In terms of memorability, the last three albums shade most of the early-mid 90’s stuff for me, even if there is an argument to say the quality has dipped over recent years (and of course there is an element to say that it is supposed to have dipped). The fact is though, my love affair with latter day Darkthrone has come to an end with It Beckons Us All. Despite multiple listens and an acknowledgement that there is nothing far removed from previous releases on this latest offering, I just cannot get into the record. Perhaps there is something to be said for continuing to tread a well-trodden path before the scenery goes from being interesting to just lots and lots of fields – although that does not feel like a fair reflection of the sound of the album.

I can hear all the riffs in here that virtually infect your brain from the start of the record. That familiar crusty edge to things still retains enough cvlt points to keep the tracks constantly dunked in necrofilth and even the doomier aspects continue to grow across the album. Yet somehow, It Beckons Us All just does not speak to me as well as its predecessors. The change is with me, most definitely. Darkthrone have not necessarily put a foot wrong, more I am just no longer on the same path as them. As with most love affairs, it was great while it lasted though.