Wolves in the Throne Room
Malevolent Grain

Two years after "Two Hunters," more or less hailed by followers more or less attentive to the atmospheric Black scene, the wolves in the throne room renew themselves: they oust Dahlen and bring in Lindsay, a former doomer sludger. Then they change their logo, and just to keep busy, they offer humanity this EP, while awaiting the release of their third serious work, "Black Cascade." Meanwhile, however, they continue to reside in the forests, under the cry of more green for everyone. After all, the extremism of a withdrawn lifestyle, in contact with nature, serves as all too easy bait for young misanthropic metalheads. However, they are not misanthropic at all, given that they continue to deal with Southern Lord.

Only two tracks, about twenty minutes for the Malefic Grain. The first leaves one somewhat puzzled, opening with a smoky and dark rhythm, slow and obsessive, that transports the listener into a lost and sylvan dimension, just slightly softened by the female vocals that blend well into the mist of the guitars. Is this a new stylistic turn? Not at all. "Hate Crystal" removes any doubt and breaks the lethargy with its ten plus minutes, bursting into the all-too-established wittr formula, meaning razor-sharp guitars, frenzied drumming, and Weaver's vitriolic screaming. The only downside is the lack of ambient interludes, which contributed significantly to making the previous "Two Hunters" so extraordinarily evocative.

On the one hand, a timid, discreet attempt at experimentation, on the other, the confirmation of talent and capability coming from much more familiar ground. In any case, the wolves have regained their strength. Winter is over, and spring will lead them to the Black Cascade.