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Darkthrone have developed a curious tendency of late to make music continuously unlike that produced during their artistic peak (i.e., “Under a Funeral Moon, “Transylvanian Hunger”) with a correlating insistency that they are remaining true in the face of an increasingly superficial and decadent black metal scene. While the criticism of the current scene has many solid arguments, their strategy of de-evolution is questionable. Ridiculing others for “copying their style (cf., “Shut Up”), they themselves have become increasingly derivative of their own influences, especially Celtic Frost. While Celtic Frost has always been a major influence for Darkthrone, it was not until “Panzerfaust” that this influence manifested itself in outright ripping-off. On “The Cult is Alive” we are treated to an even further development along these lines, namely Fenriz doing a Thomas Warrior imitation while handling the vocals on “Graveyard Slut.” Not that there is anything wrong with this, I only wonder if Fenriz and Nocturno Culto are aware of this apparent inconsistency.
The modern horde of black metal bands may be guilty of unoriginality, but Darkthone may be guilty of an even greater crime: developing a truly unique and innovative approach to extreme music (as seen on “Transylvanian Hunger”) and then becoming derivative and unoriginal. With those complaints aside, I must admit that I actually quite enjoy “The Cult is Alive” (as can be guessed from the rating that I have given it). While it is true that they have strayed even further from their original sound, it is those unusual (for Darkthrone) songs that are the album’s greatest strengths. “Too Old, Too Cold” has already been released as a single, so many people have already heard it; but examining it will give a good idea of my attitude towards this album. Upon first hearing the song, I was understandably annoyed and disappointed, but over repeated listenings the song grew on me, facilitating a new way of approaching Darkthone. To have anything but absolute contempt for this album, one must not be intent on black metal being profound or mystical, a tall (and perhaps unreasonable) order for many. One reason why “The Cult is Alive” fails to live up to the standards of classic Darkthrone is that those standards were not even aimed for. Not that Darkthrone could live up to their past if they tried, but the obviously have not even done that. Having come to that realization, “The Cult is Alive” ceases to be frustrating and becomes…fun, of all things. “Too Old, Too Cold” is an excellent example of this, as are “Whiskey Funeral,” “Atomic Coming” and “Graveyard Slut.” In fact, this last song is possibly the strongest one on the album, in large part because of the vocal performance by Fenriz (after all, he is an excellent mimic, just check out his dead on Ian Curtis on Isengard’s “Storm of Evil”). The rest of the album contains some more straightforward black metal such as “De Underjordiske” and “The Cult of Goliath,” the slow and devious “Forbyggende Krig” and the painful “Shut Up.”
All in all, this album is a step up from the likes of “Sardonic Wrath” and “Hate Them” (not exactly high praise, I know), but still far inferior than their classic work and not particularly useful. However, for true black metal elitists this album could be a substantial guilty pleasure, which is far more that can be said for the most recent releases of the other (once) great Norwegian bands. (And by the way, a sincere “fuck you” to anyone who uses the phrase “the cult is dead” in their review of this album. Not that I take issue with the sentiment, but the form is painfully hackneyed).
| Tracklist |
| 1. The Cult Of Goliath |
| 2. Too Old, Too Cold |
| 3. Atomic Coming |
| 4. Graveyard Slut |
| 5. Underdogs And Overlords |
| 6. Whisky Funeral |
| 7. De Underjordiske |
| 8. Tyster På Gud |
| 9. Shut Up |
| 10. Forebyggende Krig |
: 38.52
| Buy other Darkthrone albums |
