Darkthrone is an influential Norwegian black metal ban. They formed in 1988 as a death metal group, but after embracing the black metal style in 1991, they became a driving force in the Norwegian black metal scene. For most of this period Darkthrone has consisted of just two musicians, Nocturno Culto and Fenriz. They claim to be influenced by punk and have sought to remain outside the music mainstream. Recently their music has incorporated more crust punk traits.