Darkthrone<\/strong> is celebrating 40 years of pretty much doing whatever the fuck they want with a new album called Pre-Historic Metal<\/em>, due out May 8. It’s not black metal, but it’s definitely the closest thing to black metal we’ve gotten from the band in a while (or at least that one section toward the middle is). But I’m also a big fan of every Darkthrone<\/strong> era, so make up your own damn mind below.<\/p>\n “Prehistoric is a loose term. I just figure it’s our vibe \u2013 our take on things \u2013 and it’s more a statement that we use old styles to create something new,” said Fenriz<\/strong> of the new material.<\/p>\n Summarizing what the album represents, Fenriz<\/strong> explains: “It means that we are metal, with very loud guitars. ‘Frightfully barbaric but not without finesse,’ I call it. We collaborated in the studio more than ever \u2013 who’s playing what is still in a purple haze \u2013 but last but not least, it was a sort of hardening of the arteries. We decided to tighten the tourniquet and do eight effective songs brimming with riffs instead of the airy plodding we so much enjoy usually.”<\/p>\n Pre-Historic Metal<\/em> was recorded at Chaka Khan Studios in Oslo, with production work conducted by Ole \u00d8vstedal<\/strong>, Silje H\u00f8gevold<\/strong>, and Mads Luis<\/strong>. Mastering was carried out by Jack Control<\/strong> at Enormous Door and Maor Appelbaum Mastering.<\/p>\n Pre-orders are available here. You can also catch Darkthrone<\/strong> at one of their many tour dates below. Just kidding \u2013 that ain’t happening.<\/p>\n