The undisputed godfather of the black metal movement returns with its 14th album of raw, soul-stripping dark metal. Continuing along the band's newly modernized sound, DARK THRONES AND BLACK FLAGS injects punk attitude and New Wave of British Heavy Metal sensibilities into Darkthrone's patented black metal repertoire. The album is also imbued with a sardonic sense of humor, as evidenced in songs like "Hiking Metal Punks" and "Norway in September." Bearing a closer resemblance to vintage Venom and Bathory, Darkthrone's current direction is an icy breath of nostalgia that retains the band's uncompromising brutality.