Norwegian metal icons Darkthrone are marking their fortieth year of existence with the announcement of a definitive new box set, The Fist In The Face Of God. This limited-edition deluxe collection focuses exclusively on the duo’s most influential period, curating their purest black metal era into a single, heavyweight vinyl anthology.
Originally formed in 1986 under the name Black Death, the partnership of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto has spent four decades ignoring trends and shaping the sound of extreme metal. While their catalog ranges from technical death/doom to punk-infused heavy metal, this new set spotlights the twelve-year run that cemented their status as titans of the Second Wave of Black Metal.
The collection spans nine essential studio albums, beginning with the 1992 genre landmark A Blaze In The Northern Sky—the first installment of their “Unholy Trinity”—and concluding with their final release for Moonfog Productions, 2004’s Sardonic Wrath.
Each record has been meticulously remastered by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, designed to preserve the raw, lo-fi aesthetic of the original recordings while optimizing them for the format. The LPs are pressed on heavyweight vinyl and feature their original sleeve artwork.
The Box Set Includes:
- A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1992)
- Under a Funeral Moon (1993)
- Transilvanian Hunger (1994)
- Panzerfaust (1995)
- Total Death (1996)
- Ravishing Grimness (1999)
- Plaguewielder (2001)
- Hate Them (2003)
- Sardonic Wrath (2004)
Beyond the music, The Fist In The Face Of God offers a deep dive into the band’s history. The set includes a comprehensive 48-page book penned by Harald Fossberg, a longtime friend of the band. The book chronicles Darkthrone‘s evolution during these critical years and features rare archival photographs.
Visual history is also preserved on an accompanying DVD, which boasts a new, exclusive interview with Fenriz and Nocturno Culto conducted by Fossberg. The disc is packed with bonus material, including a trilogy of interviews from 2003 and footage of the band’s rare 1996 live performance in Oslo.
Collectors will also find a selection of art prints and posters featuring classic band photography and artwork.
Orders for the limited edition box set are available now.
