By: Darkthrone

Date: May 8, 2026

Format Used: Digital

Rating: 2.5/5

Darkthrone is like old Orcus himself in many ways. Evil, cold, likes festering in the underground like the lurking horrors we are. Yes, while Orcus the Vile was never a huge Darkthrone listener, he can respect a fellow dark cabal (but remember – there is no cabal). The release of prehistoric Metal is fascinating in it occupies a region that is a little less serious than what the rest of Darkthrone’s output is. And make no mistake – Fenriz does not take himself too seriously. He can be self-aware when he chooses to. And neither he nor his band is above levity – which is good because it used to be said back in the day when the Black Hordes were still patrolling the grim lands up north that the Black Metal acts of yore were too serious.

But this album is something else. Compared to the other Darkthrone material Orcus has given a listen to – this album is practically a confession to every accusation thrown at Black Metal the last few years, which is saying something because it is still very uncompromising in its unashamed old-school tendencies. And playing into the meme of “oh this is old music” is one thing but then all of the music here is solidly conventional and orthodox Black Metal grimness. I guess points must be given for authenticity since Fenriz may have been offering this sound that is for current era Darkthrone almost regressive as an ultimate fuck you to their critics. And at the end of the day, that earned my respect most of everything on this album.

The lyrics and riffs are mostly black metal stereotypy, there’s occasional glimpses of wit and creativity but I feel like this opus was mostly meant as an act of rebellion against the criticisms leveled at “old man’s music”. Now I’m fairly certain Fenriz himself will never read this review, but he has been known to support smaller musical creatives so I will offer one kernel of fetid hatred as a fellow undead ancient wight: I find it commendable that the hate was worth writing an entire album just to take a stand against the outsiders – but at the end of the day Fenriz likes musical experimentation. Keep experimenting despite the slings and arrows because ultimately that is something they will hate more than celebrating what they fear.

If you don’t like the old Darkthrone sound you won’t like this. But this is a love letter to the old guard and will deliver if you’re the right audience.