#3 - Top of 2019

 Darkthrone - Old Star

Darkthrone really outdid themselves this time, that they did. As per their latest recipe, they mixed up equal bits of old metal and aggression and really came up with an excellent package of a release that puts the pedal on the metal and steps on it till there is no tomorrow. In previous albums like The Underground Resistance in 2013 (being a worthy addition to our EPIC Top), they showed some great heavy signs, which are not a surprise to anyone who has had a glimpse at  Fenriz's taste in music, but in 2019 they definitely pooled out their BEST and most EPIC riff, which is none other than the opening riff of the "The Hardship of the Scots! The whole thing really explodes once the first sounds of track are heard, getting better as the song progresses into an excellent mid-track tempo change, making you forget about the more mediocre (!) opening of the album ("I Muffle Your Inner Choir") and wanting to repeat the track until you hate it (a truly impossible possible task). From there onwards, the album keeps raising the stakes with awesome dark and gloomy tracks like the "Old Star" and "Alp Man", with some Candlemass-like vibes that add a doomy element. But do not fear, there are also more solid and classic Darkthrone tracks like "Duke of Gloat" which is a throwback to earlier Norse-forest-dwelling periods of the band and last but not least "The Key Is Inside the Wall" which is another blast from the past but with some awesome heavy riffs to wrap up the album (though you will probably listen to it in repeat-mode). The album's dark mood is summed up by the eerily great cover artwork by Chadwick Saint John which is the perfect fit for one of BEST 2019 releases and at the same time one of Darkthrone's best works!

97.5/100

Below is the music video for the song "The Hardship of the Scots".