Circle the Wagons

Okay, I know this will get me lynched by various, more enthusiastic members of the metal world, but I honestly haven’t paid Darkthrone any attention. They’re most notorious for being part of the original wave of Norwegian black metal, and for leader Fenriz’s outspoken musical opinions, but I never paid them much attention. Their attitudes are snobbish and, at times, flat-out ignorant, but I decided to give this album a shot. Hey, I can’t talk bad about something without giving it a shot, yeah? As expected, Circle the Wagons is so petulantly retro as to no longer really be black metal; it’s more like dirty garage punk. Okay, it’s a little more technically inclined than that, but not by much. Much like punk, the emphasis is on lyrical content rather than music, which provides little more than a steady head-bobbing rhythm. It’s minimally produced, stubbornly regressive, like a grimy middle finger to the black metal scene which they helped birth. It’s nothing new, nothing inventive—quite the opposite, in fact. Still, it’s good fun, especially if you’re in the mood for something a bit regressive, brutish, and raw. I’m sure it’s even better on vinyl.

There is a reason that the second wave of black metal sounded different than the first. It's because the first sucked. Darkthrone was one of those bands that ushered in that much better sound and killed the sucky drunk thrashers like venom. Darkthrone got in the wayback machine entered a trailer park with six pack in hand and made this crap. 1 star only because they haven't changed their logo to something resembling a beer can.

Its true that Darkthrone hasn't been playing the style of music they have know for in the couple of their newest records since 2006 but that does not mean that they aren't playing Black Metal. This Album is an OLD SCHOOL THRASH FEST. F.O.A.D and Dark Thrones and Black Flags were nothing but THRASH PUNK FESTS and this Album isn't less. To all you haters who hate Darkthone's newest stuff need to realize that this is how Black Metal was before the second Norwegian wave came by. Bands like Venom and Celtic Frost were nothing but a THRASH FESTS with SATANIC LYRICS and the New Darkthrone is the Same, their new stuff is meant for the THRASH HEADS and not for the Norwegian Kids. This does not mean that I Hate the Second wave of Black Metal, but you should know that Fenriz loves all types of genres. Especially Uraih Heep LOL. My Favorite Tracks Circle The Wagons (5/5) IT WAS NICE TO SEE FENIZ CLEAN VOCALS Black Mountain Totem (5/5) THIS IS THE THRASH FEST I MEAN!!!!! I Am The Working Class (4/5) THIS WAS THRASHY AND PUNKY!!! Even though some songs weren't that great, I say if your a crust punk head or love thrash feasts check the songs I loved. Overall It was a great record (5/5)

I wish they would actually take time to write an album. It's been the exact same thing for the past four albums.

I listened to this album about 10 times all the way through before I decided to write review. It is not quite what I expected, but I think it will grow on me. I was expecting something a little heavier but it still has the DARKTHRONE sound to it. They are evolving but not for money or fame so that is respected. That said I still think my favorite album is still A BLAZE IN THE NORTHERN SKY.

not really what i expected, they kind of go viking folk metal on the track circle the wagons, i expected something a little more black and heavy. still a great veteran band though.

Don't get me wrong, it's a good record. I expected something much better than this from Fenriz and Nocturno. JUST AN OPINION. It's still a decent record, but Dark Thrones And Black Flags was much better.