Darkthrone Premiere New Single “Black Dawn Affiliation”

Darkthrone's latest song, "Black Dawn Affiliation," is now available for streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you below. This track stands as the only piece the black metal duo intends to unveil before the release of their upcoming album, "It Beckons Us All." The album is scheduled to hit shelves later this month, with Peaceville marking April 26th as the release date.

Fenriz, the band's drummer, guitarist, vocalist, and more, expressed:

“Nocturno Culto sculpted ‘Black Dawn Affiliation‘ and as much as I writhe in woe trying to describe riffs I did not make, we are certainly rocking hard and dark around a dungeon of slow Kreator 1986-era riffs (think ‘Awakening Of The Gods‘ or ‘Take Their Lives‘ from the ‘Flag Of Hate‘ 12?).

The song is linearly constructed, which is bold for a single but we often write this way. One could say it is a two-pronged beast which after the intermission (filled with a choir of the damned that we sung ourselves, believe it or not: “Aaaaaa.”) continues with my favourite riff in the song since I first heard it appear early in the second part and it is there that I was given the reins to let the halls and chambers of stardust levitate with unearthly synth and a voice that still today, when writing this, strikes me as being influenced by the first rock album I heard back in 1973 – Morrison Hotel. Lyrics darker and more disturbed than ever solidify these halls now.”

Explains vocalist/guitarist Nocturno Culto:

“It is not easy to describe the music you make, but for sure I will try…it´s heavy! Everything worked out as I hoped for this track. Some things are just forged in the studio, like as Fenriz´s excellent vocals at the end of the song; and the choir I wanted. Instead of just taking shortcuts, Fenriz and I recorded three vocal tracks each, and it was brilliantly mixed by Silje at Chaka Khan [studio.]

There are many things one can say about riffs, but I make songs from a combination of a very methodical approach and happy accidents! And somewhere in the back of my head, it´s most likely there is something affecting a lot of my decisions on little details that shapes the riffing.”