The Album Reviews:

	Title: Sardonic Wrath Artist: Darkthrone Label: Moonfog / The End Records Release Date: 1/18/05	Judgment Committee Reviews	Rating
			2
			3
			2
Read the Review of Hate Them Read the Review of A Blaze in the Northern Sky Official Web Site for this Artist Discuss on the Metal Judgment Web Board Submit/Read Reader Reviews of this Album

Abyss's Review:
While it would be easy to put this album down as a tired rehash of earlier output, that would be, for the most part, pointless. It has been evident from the start that this outfit has had little desire for change, and even less of a desire to appeal to a wider audience. There are two types of Darkthrone fans, the die-hard black metal purists who liked their first few albums only (because they only like the first few albums from ANY band), or the die-hard black metal purists who like everything this band does, largely because they are Darkthrone. Both groups should know what to expect with Sardonic Wrath.

"One word review: Eh."

I kinda have to respect a band that gains some limited notoriety and continues on their own path, so I definitely like this album on a certain level. But when I allow myself to be a little more open minded, I have to wonder if these two guys simply don't have anything else to offer. This album is a success in that it makes effective background mood music, but with any further assessment of the sound one can't help but come to the conclusion that this album is quite boring. In short, atmosphere does not a complete album make.
The problem with minimalism is that there are very few places to go. In the end, this album sounds like a couple of kids in their garage recording simple, plodding chords. That image just isn't that spooky anymore. In fact, it's pretty cliché. That being said, this band will undoubtedly retain their niche in the underground metal scene . . . which is probably just they way they want it. One word review: Eh.

Death's Review:

"Darkthrone are raw, organic, shrill, aesthetically underproduced angry black metal."
For the uninitiated, Darkthrone are raw, organic, shrill, aesthetically underproduced angry black metal. Darkthrone are known for retaining the integrity of the early Norwegian black metal scene, and Sardonic Wrath is certainly no radical departure from the sound fans have come to expect. Don't expect a bunch of silly costumes, string sections or multi-layered tracking - apart from the 2 minute plus introduction that kicks off the album, the entire outing is filled with killer, old-school riffs that have more in common with old Celtic Frost, Venom and Bathory than they do Cradle of Filth or Dimmu Borgir. For those of you already into this decidedly cult band, you probably will not be let down by Sardonic Wrath. For the rest of you, if you are looking for something truly extreme, yet appreciate a good riff when you hear it and have a tolerance/appreciation for old-school and underground production and aesthetics, then this one is for you. Not particularly to my tastes overall (I find it boring after a while, although it has it moments, e.g., the ending parts of "Straightening Sharks in Heaven," or the Celtic Frost style main riff in "Alle Gegen Alle," that follows), but I appreciate Darkthrone for what they are and I'm glad that they exist to counterbalance the ever-present glam core that passes itself off as metal these days.

Hel's Review:
Everyone who reads my reviews regularly knows I’m not big into black metal, so it should come as no surprise that I have very little knowledge of Darkthrone. Regardless of the depth of knowledge I may or may not have on a given band, even on my most cynical days I try to go into a new album with optimism. I honestly thought I would be able to enjoy and appreciate Sardonic Wrath, on some level at least. But after listening to it several times, I find myself annoyed and displeased.

"I find myself annoyed and displeased."

Darkthrone has chosen a very kvlt production style for this effort, achieving a sound remarkably similar to what you may hear at a loud concert with an entire bag of cotton balls stuffed inside your ears and a bag over your head. The only thing that manages to consistently stand out from the morass is the vocals, which only manages to make the whole fuzzy mess sound out of balance to boot. Even this is not reliable, for there are times when they too are buried under the blanket of fuzz. If you wish to focus very intently on an individual instrument, you can get a good sense of that particular part, but at no time is it possible to coherently listen to every part at the same time. It is really quite sad.
Is it a good album underneath the crappy production? Who the hell knows? And at this point, I could really care less. Trying to discern the answer to that question has given me a monstrous headache, and generally pissed me off to the point that I may never want to listen to a Darkthrone album ever again. I’m being insanely generous and giving this record two skulls, because I know that deep down there is enjoyable music on this disc. Those who have a tolerance for ass production will certainly find this enjoyable, but few others will.

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