Darkthrone have completed their nineteenth album, it is called «Old Star», and will be released later next month. In the words of Fenriz regarding the new recording, “again we are here with THE RIFFS! A while after our previous ARCTIC THUNDER album it became apparent that we would continue in that same style,” by which he means “BLACK OLD HEAVY METAL with slow thrash, classic doom and slow death metal.” Below, listen to «The Hardship Of The Scots», bearing of course in mind that because the duo writes their songs separately, this one is only representative of one side of what we’ll get with «Old Star».

Fenriz further explains that “the mix on our new album has ended up being more 80s than ever” and differentiates each man’s contributions, “Ted’s songs have alot of black metal in them, faster and slower but also doomier parts and reocurring parts. My songs are more linear written, it’s an ancient 80s underground trick, with breaks, all slow heavy or slow thrash, classic doom or slow death.” In summary, he concludes that “all in all it is our most 80s album so far and our most metal one to date with drum sound typical for the 80s USA/German market and damned lyrics, which are all written by me.”

«Old Star» is set for release on May 31 by Peaceville Records on cd, digital, and vinyl formats. Pre-orders of all formats are available at this location.

The recording of the upcoming album took place at the Necrohell 2 Studios, was engineered and produced by Nocturno Culto, mixed by Sanford Parker at Hypercube Studios, and mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door. The cover, seen above, is a piece entitled «The Shepherd of the Deep» by Chadwick St. John.