Norway - 1989:  Eon/Thulcandra, Soria Moria.

Esberg, Denmark - June 8th, 1990:  Cromlech, Sunrise Over Locus Mortis, Soulside Journey, Accumulation Of Generalization, Sempiternal Past/Presence View Sepulchrality, Iconoclasm Sweeps Cappadocia, Neptune Towers, Dismissal.

Riihimäki, Finland - May 3rd, 1991:  A Blaze In The Northern Sky, Green Cave Float.

Rockefeller Center, Oslo, Norway - April 6th, 1996:  Intro., Under A Funeral Moon, Blackwinged, Transylvanian Hunger, In The Shadow Of The Horns.

Darkthrone have had a strange career.  Their debut cd release on Peaceville Soulside Journey was one of the greatest releases in the initial wave of death metal in the late 80's-early 90's.  It was special because, although owing much to the Swedish-Entombed metal sound (since it was recorded at Sunlight Studio in Stockholm under producer Tomas Skogsberg), they brought an almost prog-rock mentality to their tunes.  About the time Euronymous of Mayhem opened his record shop Helvete in Oslo they changed their vision to be closer to the classic black metal sound of Bathory and Hellhammer and released A Blaze In The Northern Sky, still a classic and the release that raised the visibility of the Norwegian scene.  The band in the early to mid 90's eschewed interviews and live performances which created a mystique.  In these days, however, the two remaining members of Darkthrone, drummer Gylve Nagell (aka "Fenriz") and vocalist/guitarist Ted Skjellum (aka "Nocturno Culto") now serve the fuction of the late Euronymous as elder statemen and unofficial spokesmen for the scene. 

Live From The Past is a new release documenting almost all of Darkthrone's live appearances in their career.  Previous releases of this material include The Roots Of Evilness Live (Agustin Records, 1997) and A Night Of Unholy Black Metal (Darkthrone records).  The opening two songs, "Eon/Thulcandra" and "Soria Moria" first appeared on the Peaceville release Preparing For War and are a very good soundboard recording taken from their appearance on Norwegian television.  

The second set is a show dates from right before their first disc was released (Skjellum announces Soulside Journey as being released in January, 1991).  The Denmark performance is a very good and dynamic soundboard recording from their days as a four piece (bassist Dag Nilsen and guitarist Ivar Enger filling out the lineup).  This was their first show outside of Norway ("And you're a nice audience" they say) and it's strange to hear knowing about their "evil turn" in the future.  But it's fun to hear since many regret not seeing them on stage in this time.   

The third set on this release is one of two appearances in Finland in May, 1991.  There are tapes from two shows although this release focus upon only one.  It's a mediocre sounding audience recording and not very enjoyable.  The final set is the band's final live performance in Oslo in 1996.  Darkthrone by this time had lost half of their band (Dag Nilsen and guitarist Zephyrous), and were assisted by two members of Satyricon.  This is a typical mediocre audience recording but clear enough to hear what is going on stage.  Nocturno Culto sounds appropriately angry, unholy and evil.  "Under A Funeral Moon" sounds much more effective live than on record, and it's great to hear the classic "In The Shadow Of The Horns" even though it cuts out right when the band start to cook.  It sounds like a small club venue and we're lucky that someone was there with a tape recorder.

Overall this is almost a definitive collection of all the Darkthrone live material.  It's unknown if there is anything more to add to this collection except for the second Finland appearance, so this release is a good way to obtain the essential documents.  The Cult Evil Gods label is a new outfit based in Eastern Europe and have released several titles covering Mayehm, Satyricon, Beherit and Impaled Nazerene.  Hopefully all of their titles can be tracked down and reviewed here.