The Norwegian kings of black metal have returned with their grim dark vision of black metal
Formed in 1997 from the ashes of Alvheim, 1349 are one of the seminal second-way black metal bands. Keeping true to the first wave’s dark & powerful sound, the band has released seven unrelenting pure black metal albums.
Their newest & eighth studio album “The Wolf and The King” is their third collaboration with producer Jarrett Pritchard (Eulogy, Pulchra Morte).
Opening track “The God Devourer” is a powerhouse. With a dissonant whirlwind-sounding riff the track is full steam ahead. Ravn’s vocals are right front and centre. Feeling like he is speaking to you the listener, his performance grabs you straight away. The track’s chorus section adds a slight tribal drumming with a big stomping groove that breaks the convention. Also the guitar tone on this track is perfect. Hearing this tight but hard chugging from Archaon feels like they laboured over getting the tones right for this album & it totally pays off.
Picking up the energy & brightening an elegant sound “Ash of Ages” feels like a big ethnic track. Big chords & tremolo sections really give the track that classic BM sound but the addition of great unique drum performance from Frost really switched up the track’s feel. From pure unhinged blasting to drumline style snare rolls & great cymbal work this track feels familiar but diverse at the same time.
With a full on assault “Inferior Pathways” feels like pure armageddon. Fast pace & no thrills this track really doesn’t slow down. The chorus section has a great hook lyrically with Ravn’s chant of “Inferior Pathways” repetition gives the track a hypnotic feel. The tracks bridge section gives you a moment to breathe by breaking the track down for a moment but Archaon’s comes out with this blazing solo section that might just be my favourite of his so far! This track is truly bludgeoning.
The album’s grandiose closer “Fatalist” is where this band gets the most “experimental” and heavy on the atmosphere and it really works. Opening with a great & eat catching repeating drum beat & these grand guitar riffs & Ravns grand vocals echoing over the track, building tension slowly before the track comes together. A blasting drum section over these large open guitar riffs give the track a very wide & large feel. The band could have just put another end of the album track here but, instead they created something great with a lot of texture & might I say my favourite track on the album.
Let’s be honest 1349 have never released a weak album. They are one of the most consistent bands within the black metal scene. But what they do is still keep the eerie & dark atmosphere of early black metal. Always pushing the boundaries of the sound also they have created another fantastic album with superb moment to moment sounds & crafted some of the most dark music of this year.
Review : Joseph Mitchell
The Wolf and The King is out via Season of Mist on 4th October 2024
Tracklist:
1. The God Devourer (5:10)
2. Ash of Ages (5:27)
3. Shadow Point (3:40)
4. Inferior Pathways (4:28)
5. Inner Portal (5:08)
6. The Vessel and The Storm (5:15)
7. Obscura (3:44)
8. Fatalist (5:51)
Total runtime: 39:01
Line-up:
Seidemann – Bass
Ravn – Vocals
Archaon – Guitars
Frost – Drums
Recording Studio
Amper Tone (Oslo Norway) & NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. (Orlando USA)
Production Credits
Produced by Jarrett Prichard with Sound Engineering done by Ravn
Mixed at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. by Jarrett Prichard & Ravn
Mastered at NEW CONSTELLATION R.M.P. by Jarrett Prichard
Cover Art
Jordan Barlow
Biography
J. Bennett
Stream & Order: https://orcd.co/
Follow 1349:
Official Website: http://www.legion1349.com/
Bandcamp: http://1349som.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/
TIDAL: https://tidal.com/browse/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/1349/e/
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Clear
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Clear & Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Gold & Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Red & Black