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Rating:
Not a proper work, but actually a promotional split for the two bands, attempting to launch each other: a disc containing a track from the Norwegian wolves and one from fellow countrymen Mysticum, which adds absolutely nothing new to the discographies of the two bands.
Two tracks that actually resemble each other, both in the style in which they are made (rather obsessive riffing and drumming, distorted or heavily approximate vocal performances, heavy and foggy atmospheres reflecting violence and decay without actually being "deafening" like the more "canonical" black metal works), and in the poor quality of the recording, which seems to "blur" the sounds, especially in Mourning, greatly contributing to defining the atmosphere, but on the other hand, diminishing some characteristics well expressed by the singers or instrumentalists.
In conclusion, a naive mini-double, still strongly immature, which nevertheless contains the seeds of what would become the guiding lines of the two Norwegian bands: if Ulverytternes Kamp, after a beginning where it manages to perfectly balance coldness, darkness, and melancholic melodicity, in a harmony that almost simulates steps, quickly descends into the hell of medium speed and intense horror that Garm's very compressed voice evokes by forcing its way out from the confused and marble-like carpet of guitar, bass, and "hammer", Mourning spares the intro, slipping into an equally annoying continuum of partially unsuccessful screaming and withstanding of intense but predictable structures; if the "Battle of the Last Wolves" almost jokes, in an imitation that almost makes one smile at the lycanthropic howl - first, it must be said, of the onset of its best riff, excluding the opening - Mourning navigates around its walls of self-citation with some moments of good thrash-death riff and some sporadic rhythm changes paired with a enjoyable growl.
If you like the mist and are passionate about the search and thrill of owning - or at least listening to, or even more, simply knowing - rare(est) pieces like this split, the two tracks will please and excite; if you love Ulver and Mysticum (especially the former), you will be rather disappointed.
The disc is worth a listen, but the style is not worth the genre.
Anyway, for a less superficial judgment of the Ulver genesis, referring to the listening of Ulverytternes Kamp in its original context, namely the "Vargnatt" demo, reviewed by me on this site.
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