A mere two years removed from the fifty-minute colossus that is Primordial Arcana, Wolves In The Throne Room have undertaken a full 180 with Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge (Relapse Records). The four-track extended play is spearheaded by “Beholden To Clan”, and is supplemented by three instrumental-dominant tracks.

Don’t mistake this for a barren release. Rest assured, WITTR (a band that’s been around since 2002, mind you) have packed Crypt… to the brim with macabre, surreal and enthralling Black Metal songwriting. 

The aforementioned track “Beholden To Clan” is a work of art. Seemingly drawing influence from early Summoning, it features a sprawling soundscape and distant drums which expose the depth of the landscape. Sinister yet epic, the vile, villainous harsh vocals are beastly. It stands as a pillar of the effort as a whole, and represents the intricacies and long-standing success of the band.

And despite “Twin Mouthed Spring” and its seeming simplicity, there is a downright captivating, vibrant melody that bobs and weaves in its storytelling. It’s a testament to WITTR’s ability to do so much with so little, and also the outfit’s desire to prioritize artful music as opposed to over-the-top fluff.  “Crown Of Stone” is spectral and cosmic, while “Initiates Of The White Hart” finds Nathan Weaver whispering alongside an assumed harpsichord.

Though it is understandable to be disappointed by the less-than-full-album approach, Wolves In The Throne Room presents ample opportunity to find some element of Crypt Of Ancestral Knowledge that endears, attracts and pleases. It’s a bold follow-up from previous work, but WITTR is and always has been a bold band. Expect nothing less.

Buy the album here:

https://wolvesinthethroneroom.bandcamp.com/album/crypt-of-ancestral-knowledge

7 / 10

MATT COOK