Transilvanian Hunger was the first Darkthrone album to be recorded as a duo (Nocturno Culto and Fenriz), which was a direct result of Zephyrous's departure from the band the previous year.

Lyrics for four of the album's songs were written by the Norwegian black metal musician Varg Vikernes, who performed solo as Burzum.

The back cover stated that "Darkthrone is for all the evil in man" and listed the slogan "True Norwegian Black Metal".

The band also intended to issue another controversial statement to mark the album's release: "We would like to state that Transilvanian Hunger stands beyond any criticism.

The fourth and final chapter of a four-part video interview (spanning the first four albums) with Fenriz and Nocturno Culto was also included as bonus material.