Darkthrone has been a duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto since guitarist Zephyrous left the band in 1993. They have sought to remain outside the music mainstream. From 2006, their music strayed from the traditional black metal style and incorporated more elements of traditional heavy metal, punk, and speed metal, while more recent albums have also included doom metal.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darkthrone
Studio albums
Soulside Journey (1990)
A Blaze in the Northern Sky (1991)
Under a Funeral Moon (1993)
Transilvanian Hunger (1994)
Panzerfaust (1995)
Goatlord (1996)
Total Death (1996)
Ravishing Grimness (1999)
Plaguewielder (2001)
Hate Them (2003)
Sardonic Wrath (2004)
The Cult Is Alive (2006)
F.O.A.D. (2007)
Dark Thrones and Black Flags (2008)
Circle the Wagons (2010)
The Underground Resistance (2013)
Arctic Thunder (2016)
Old Star (2019)
Eternal Hails...... (2021)
Astral Fortress (2022)
Alp Man
Darkthrone Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Interstellar fugitives
Doing their bit for the universal dam
Coined is the black metal prairie
Sharing your weapons
Will it lead to its dullness
Will you buy better (ones)?
Will you need a receipt, bounty hunter?
Your trade eventually took you to Swiss alps
Carefree void of everything, then might
High watcher inner fear of scalping edges
This and these
Tear jerking calamities
Stuffed tightly with earth-like fears
Solemn shit no one hears
Prairie (seems like) a good choice now
The crimson sky is the limit
Although chances ahead are scarce
The racket is rigged as you die
The opening lines of Darkthrone's song Alp Man seem to conjure up images of a group of black-hearted outcasts - half-hearted black-hearted rams - who have turned to interstellar adventuring as a way to escape from society's laws and morals. They are doing what they can to cause chaos and destruction in the universe, serving as a sort of universal dam to hold back the tides of conformity and order. The phrase "coined is the black metal prairie" seems to suggest that these characters are aligned with the black metal movement, which has traditionally embraced anti-establishment and anti-Christian values.
As the song progresses, the lyrics take on a more introspective tone. The lines about sharing weapons seem to suggest a commonality between these outcasts, perhaps even a sense of brotherhood that could be endangered if they give into greed or jealousy. There is a sense of questions being raised about the ultimate purpose of their actions - will buying better weapons really make a difference in the end? Will they be left feeling forlorn and empty if they continue down this path?
The final lines of the song suggest a sort of resigned acceptance of their fate. The sky may be the limit, but the chances of success may be slim. The final line, "The racket is rigged as you die", seems to sum up the sense of futility that pervades the lyrics - these outcasts may be fighting against the world, but they are also fighting against themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Half-hearted black-hearted rams
Individuals with passive and cruel personalities
Interstellar fugitives
Those who roam the universe in search of new experiences and opportunities
Doing their bit for the universal dam
Contributing to or working towards a greater cause or purpose, even if it means sacrificing oneself
Coined is the black metal prairie
A new subgenre of metal music has been created
Sharing your weapons
Sharing one's knowledge and expertise with others
Will it lead to its dullness
Will the act of sharing make it less unique or special
Will you buy better (ones)?
Will you invest in better equipment or tools
Will they be forlorn?
Will the old or unused equipment be forgotten or abandoned
Will you need a receipt, bounty hunter?
As a bounty hunter, do you require proof of your accomplishment
Your trade eventually took you to Swiss alps
Your profession or hobby has led you to a new location or environment
Carefree void of everything, then might
A state of being without worries or concerns, followed by sudden power or ability
High watcher inner fear of scalping edges
A heightened sense of awareness and apprehension regarding dangerous or risky situations
This and these
The current situation or circumstances
Tear jerking calamities
Tragic and distressing events
Stuffed tightly with earth-like fears
Filled with common or relatable anxieties
Solemn shit no one hears
Serious or significant matters that go unnoticed or ignored
Prairie (seems like) a good choice now
The peaceful and open prairie appears to be an appealing option
The crimson sky is the limit
There are endless opportunities or possibilities ahead
Although chances ahead are scarce
Despite the limited opportunities or possibilities ahead
The racket is rigged as you die
The game or system is designed to work against you or lead to your downfall
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Gylve Fenris Nagell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind