Album Review: Blood Red Throne – Siltskin (Soulseller Records)

Siltskin, the new Blood Red Throne album, arrives December 5, 2025 via Soulseller Records, showcasing their heaviest yet most melodic sound yet.

Formed in Norway in the 1990s by guitarist Daniel “Død” Olaisen, Blood Red Throne has become one of the country’s most enduring death metal acts. Over nearly three decades, the band has released 11 full-length albums to date, earning a reputation for crushing riffs, relentless energy, and a sound that is unmistakably their own. With line-up additions over the years—including original drummer Freddy “The Shred” Bolsø returning in 2013, guitarist Ivan “Meathook” Gujic since 2010, bassist Stian “Clammy Hackett” Gundersen in 2018, and vocalist Sindre Wathne Johnsen in 2023—the band continues to evolve while staying true to their roots.

Known for their electrifying live performances, Blood Red Throne has toured the globe as headliners and support for acts like Dimmu Borgir, Enslaved, and Suffocation. They have played major festivals including Wacken, Hellfest, and Bloodstock, as well as unforgettable shows in places as far-flung as Dubai and Mongolia.

3 decades of death metal is some serious staying power. Now, with Siltskin, their 12th album overall, Blood Red Throne look to the future and a 4th decade of dominance.

Blood Red Throne is Sindre Wathne Johnsen on vocals, Daniel ‘Død’ Olaisen and Ivan ‘Meathook’ Gujić on guitars, Freddy Bolsø on drums and Stian Gundersen on bass.

Blood Red Throne deliver 9 new tracks here on Siltskin, kicking off with the stomach churningly named Scraping Out The Cartilage. It kicks things off with a heavy, melodic intro that already feels mean and dark. It’s classic death metal — not flashy or overcomplicated, but solid and pounding. The vocals are deep and full, with screams and yells cutting in for contrast. Riffs hit hard, drums and bass hammer away, and little touches of melody highlight key moments. There’s even a wicked solo thrown in. It’s a strong start, confident and heavy.

Beneath the Means keeps that intensity going. The track gets darker, a bit more dangerous. Explosions of brutality hit between steady rhythms with just enough groove to keep you nodding along. Vocals cover an impressive range, and the riffs and drums drive the track home. It’s a headbanger of a song.

Husk In The Grain keeps the momentum going, with Blood Red Throne continuing to deliver death metal bangers with minimal frills and maximum intent. Dark, brooding and heavy, this is a track driven by punishing rhythms and a couple of screaming solos that cut through the gloom. What really stands out, though, are the switches in pace — moving from thick, moody groove into bursts of energetic riffing. It’s simple, but effective, and proof that Blood Red Throne don’t need chaos to make things hit hard.

Necrolysis doesn’t necessarily leave a deep mark compared to other tracks on Siltskin, but it doesn’t disappoint either. It’s another solid death metal assault — dark, riff-heavy, and rooted firmly in that traditional Blood Red Throne vein. It might not break new ground, but it walks the foundations with confidence.

Anodyne Rust, however, does leave a mark. It ticks many of the same boxes, but injects a more modern edge and a noticeable uplift in intensity. At times it even flirts with deathcore and extreme metal sensibilities, hitting harder and faster than expected. It’s aggressive, fiery, and feels like a proper punch in the face — in the best way possible.

Vestigial Remnants keeps things firmly in traditional territory, showcasing the band’s vocal depth and range alongside slaying riffs and uncompromising drumming. It’s dark, tight, and absolutely confident in its approach. Then Vermicular Heritage twists the knife deeper, diving into one of the darkest atmospheres on the album. From the threatening intro to the powerful roar that launches the track properly, the darkness never really lifts. Even the higher pitched melodies and solos sound dangerous.

Near the end, On These Bones arrives as one of Siltskin’s real standout moments. The fading, squealing guitar intro bleeds into cascading drums and rising riffs, and the vocals drag everything deeper into the dirt. There’s an undeniable groove here, feeding that growing urge to headbang — or better yet, start a pit. It’s relentless but controlled, showcasing Blood Red Throne stretching themselves creatively without losing sight of who they are.

Siltskin ends on a high with Marrow Of The Earth, a closer that carries emotional heaviness without sacrificing any brutality. Subtle, dark melody leads the way before the track expands into a steady beat and catchy riff work. It evolves nicely, shifting into a maelstrom of death metal where powerful vocals collide with blasting drums and punchy bass, before giving space for the lead guitars to scream one final time. It’s a fitting end — memorable enough to make you want more, creative enough to show that Blood Red Throne still have new things to say, and grounded enough to sit alongside the rest of the album.

Siltskin shows that Blood Red Throne are still hungry after almost three decades. Heavy, dark, melodic when it needs to be, and never boring, it’s an album that proves they still know how to write, play, and make death metal feel alive. Every riff, drum hit, and vocal moment counts, and by the time it’s over, you’re left wanting more. It’s not a game changer, for the genre, but if you need a blast of exceptional death metal to see you through this winter, Blood Red Throne have delivered.

Tracklist:

1. Scraping Out The Cartilage
2. Beneath The Means
3. Husk In The Grain
4. Necrolysis
5. Anodyne Rust
6. Vestigial Remnants
7. Vermicular Heritage
8. On These Bones
9. Marrow Of The Earth

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