Review by Jack on October 19, 2001.

A collaboration of the masterminds is what “Thorns” is all about. Hellhammer (from so many bands that it is ridiculous... Arcturus and Winds to name two) on drums, Satyr from Satyricon and Wongraven on vocals who also co produces the album and Aldrahn from DHG on vocals too.

Moonfog it seems have completely shifted their tempo from medieval black metal with past releases in Satyricon and Darkthrone to new technological tyrants in their roster. These futuristic black mammoths are the new Satyricon, DHG and Thorns.

Probably being one of the most eagerly awaited albums ever in the black scene, Thorns inspired bands like Immortal and Dissection to name but a few. Snorre Ruch is the figurehead of the Thorns project.

The music portrayed on “Thorns” is evil, dark and coetaneous, much like the elements that were displayed on Satyricon’s “Rebel Extravaganza”. “Thorns” for me really comes across as working class metal, like you’ve been working in a factory for 16 hours a day, so much so that I swear I hear a forklift in the track ‘Shifting Channels’... weird.

The dual voices of Satyr and Aldrahn creates some exceptional vocal patterns that inspires fear and a chilling atmosphere which sounds so... cold.

Whilst strictly being black metal, “Thorns” will appeal to those that like their music thrashy, as this really does contain some awesome thrash elements, helped by some awesome drumming by Hellhammer and also classical heavy metal. There is no symphonic black elements here. Evil, evil and more evil... ”Thorns” is a wall of black hybrid noise...

Favourite track for me is ‘Stellar Master Elite’ and if metal radio stations had like a top 40 or something this track would be in that top 5 for being so damn catchy...drums work a treat.

Bottom Line: Thorns is here to stay with “Thorns”, much like other futuristic black acts, they will set the tone for future black acts.

Rating: 8 out of 10