Wolves In The Throne Room Two Hunters Review

This is my first post so surely it would make sense to share and old review right? Yeah we'll go with that!

Wolves In The Throne Room - Two Hunters (Southern Lord)

Bleak and black metal is the order of the day regarding Olympia, WA's Wolves in the Throne Room. From the outset, WITTR have a rather different ideology to your standard black metal band. The band explore the extremity of true devotion to a minimalist and environmentally sound lifestyle. This is a stark contrast to the nihilistic and misanthropic values of many BM bands, however the essence of true commitment whether it be to abstinence orientated or hate-fuelled paradigms is one thing WITTR have in common with the majority.

Two Hunters, the band's 2007 release on the prolific Southern Lord label is less menacing and more mournful and reflective than the previous album, Diadem of 12 Stars. The essence of their naturalistic approach is encapsulated well with the solemn ebb and flow of tremolo riffing and delicately adorned with a constant low hiss that adds a dreamlike, eldritch quality to the music. This is not your average shitty demo black metal sound that resembles an angry bee buzzing around in a metal dustbin, this is of a higher order.

After the forlorn intro 'Dea Artio', 'Vastness and Sorrow' has an air of hope after five minutes of despondency. Accompanied by a change of pace, this gives the track real intent and urgency. It may weigh in at over 12 minutes but each riff and construct is perfectly timed to deter tediousness.

As with 2006’s Diadem of 12 Stars, the female vocals included interfere with rather than elate the songs. The third track of four is 'Cleansing,' a moment of clarity before another long monologue in the form of 18 minute epic 'I Will Lay Down My Bones Among The Rocks And Roots'. The former is divided into two halves with the first containing mesmerising female vocals, which weaken the song after a while, however not as much as the songs on the 2006 album.

WITTR walk a well trodden path that originates from the works of Burzum and Darkthrone in the early 90's. It may seem a strain to create anything of significance or relevance in this vein as it has been well helmed by other bands since the forefathers, such as Forgotten Tomb, Shining, Abyssic Hate and Xasthur. In spite of this WITTR have created a moving and powerful opus that is familiar in one sense but has its own distinct aura making Two Hunters a peculiar and hypnotic entity. Highly recommended.

Related links: www.wolvesinthethroneroom.com

www.myspace.com/wolvesinthehroneroom

Originally posted on Blistering.com