For close to three decades, from their pioneering second-wave black-metal assaults to their crustier contemporary fare, Darkthrone have been doing whatever they like, whenever they like, becoming underground legends along the way. In recent times, the Norwegian duo of Fenriz and Nocturno Culto have indulged in stripped-back metallic punk--celebrating all that is (un)holy about heavy metal in the process--and the band's latest release, The Underground Resistance, is a commanding snapshot of metal's halcyon days. It's no surprise to find that Darkthrone's 15th release continues their fixation with vintage and archaic metal. Anyone familiar with the band knows that old-school metal reigns supreme in their world, and Darkthrone have always worn their influences proudly on their denim vests. The presence of Motörhead, Celtic Frost and countless underground metal bands of yore has always remained strong in Darkthrone's sound, ever since they began their more punked-up blitzkriegs with 2006's The Cult is Alive. However, on The Underground Resistance, punk rock takes the passenger seat, with NWOBHM, proto-metal and European and U.S. power metal wrestling for control of the wheel.