Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters
Southern Lord – sunn83 – September 25, 2007
By Wayward_Son
Two Hunters will certainly split the ranks down the middle. There is no denying that. The funniest part is that the division will most likely not even be music based. Before
Two Hunters was even released,
Wolves in the Throne Room were catching flack for signing to a label like Southern Lord, known more for two notes of noise that are sold as full length albums and marketed as “deep”, and fourth tier black metal. To be honest, this writer would have to agree. Southern Lord releases garbage, for the most part.
The other non-musical reason
Wolves in the Throne Room will be disregarded is one of geography. You guessed it, Faithful Reader. That old dead horse that some elitists have been deriding since its inception, United States Black Metal, is in full swing and continuing its ascendancy. Now some will claim that
Wolves in the Throne Room “sound European”, similar to claims that have dogged a band like
Agalloch. It is as if these people have built an image projecting the United States as a whole as one gargantuan metropolis. Never mind that the United States also possesses those cherished forests, mountains, and natural aesthetics that inspire musicians. Perhaps the main reason USBM is chastised is the simple fact that Americans cannot claim the cultural hegemony that European black metal bands hold so close to their frozen hearts. Personally, these ears do not listen to a band based on origin. That being said, the majority of USBM is not worthy of even a cursory listen. Within that small contingent of quality American black metal bands lies
Wolves in the Throne Room.
As any person remotely familiar with black metal knows,
Two Hunters is the band’s second album, following
Diadem of 12 Stars in under two years time. Again, we are welcomed to more naturalistic black metal bringing to mind many black metal heroes yet never duplicating them exactly. The ambient intro,
’Dia Artio’, opens
Two Hunters nicely. The song flows smoothly and has an imperious aura about it that can lull and frighten simultaneously. With
’Behold the Vastness and Sorrow’,
Wolves in the Throne Room reached the peak on the album. The song is an eerie epic reminding this writer of early
In the Woods (if you are unfamiliar with this band, no offense, but get out) with its semi-progressive spirit and ability to weave between different paces. It is like a black metal
’Omnio’, a thing beauty and life.
You have got to give
Wolves in the Throne Room credit. They are not afraid of what purists (of which yours truly is sometimes accused of being) might think. Women vocals in black metal are nothing new, but rarely has it been used as positively refreshing as the opening of
’Cleansing’. It worked for
Abigor,
Fleurety, and
Helheim, but failed for countless others. Some might call the beginning of the song pretentious or unnecessary, and that can be understood. However, without those angelic vocals, the song would have failed to spark any interest.
Two Hunters ends with the eighteen minute
’I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots’. It is the most melancholic song on the album, interlaced with ambient layers, female vocals, tortured screams, fast and slow riffs, and a sense of loss. It works perfectly to close out
Two Hunters.
Two Hunters is not a classic, nor is it essential, nor is it even better than its predecessor. What it is, is an interesting and soulful black metal album. That is what should matter to you, Faithful Reader. Ignore the origins of the band, the hipsters, the detractors, and what the album is not. Instead, feel the mysticism of one of the year’s best black metal releases.
Official Wolves in the Throne Room Website
Official Southern Lord Records Website
