heavy-metal-darkness: Blood Red Throne | Siltskin

Friday, November 21, 2025

Blood Red Throne | Siltskin | Soulseller Records

Release Date: 5.12.2025

Format: CD/LP/Digital

Genre: Death Metal

Country: Norway

Blood Red Throne has spent close to thirty years carving their name into the global death metal map. Formed in the late 90s by guitarist Daniel “Død” Olaisen, the band has been a steady force in the Norwegian scene with a long run of aggressive albums and relentless touring. The line up has evolved through the decades, although Død has kept the engine running with the same determination since day one. Drummer Freddy Bolsø came back in 2013, guitarist Ivan “Meathook” Gujić has been on board since 2010, bassist Stian Gundersen joined in 2018 and vocalist Sindre Wathne Johnsen took over the microphone in 2023. Their touring history covers every corner of the globe, from major festivals to headlining club tours and support slots next to Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved, Suffocation and Cryptopsy. “Siltskin” was mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström at Bjornstromsound and features artwork by Giannis Nakos.

“Siltskin” shows Blood Red Throne firing with a confidence that comes from long experience. The band sounds hungry, focused and energized, giving the album a steady pulse that remains strong from the first minute to the last. The guitars are sharp and violent, pushing fast and melodic riffs that have the classic BRT flavour without falling into copy paste patterns from their earlier years. Død and Meathook play as if they are in full sprint, switching between savage runs and sinister melodic twists that stick instantly.

Sindre Wathne Johnsen steps fully into his role with vocals that cut through the mix with a raw, unfiltered presence. His voice adds pressure and intensity to the songs, matching the speed and aggression of the guitar assault. Bolsø’s drumming keeps everything locked in place while blasting forward with precision and a physical punch that makes the faster parts hit harder. Gundersen’s bass rolls underneath the guitars with a thick growl, keeping the low end strong and giving the faster parts extra bite.

The album progresses steadily and doesn’t waste time. Each track brings a distinct idea, often pushing towards frantic speed, then dropping into heavy rhythmic attacks that hit like a wall. The melodic parts never soften the aggression, instead they expand the atmosphere and make the heavier sections strike even harder. There is a direct, violent energy running through the full runtime, something that’s natural for Blood Red Throne at this point in their career. They know exactly how to deliver brutal, high tempo death metal while still keeping things lively and engaging.

“Siltskin” sits comfortably among their strongest albums. It is intense, loud, relentless and proudly rooted in what Blood Red Throne do best, meaning pure Norwegian death metal played with fire and determination. Long term fans will recognise the attitude right away, and newcomers will get a punch-in-the-face introduction to a veteran band that refuses to slow down. It is the sound of a group that still enjoys pushing forward.

Score: 8.5