Two Hunters - Living For Metal
http://www.livingformetal.com/reviews/review.aspx?reviewid=497
9.5 out of 10
By Dr. Pete, 9/25/2007. Let's say that you are in a band that just last year, released one of the best debut albums in the last decade, now what do you do for an encore? That is the question facing Olympia, WA trio Wolves in the Throne Room. In 2006, they put out one of the best black metal albums in Diadem of 12 Stars, which was released by Vendlus Records. This year, with a new record label in Southern Lord, their follow-up has been unleashed upon their audience. Entitled Two Hunters, it proves to be a great album that doesn't lose sight of what they did right on Diadem of 12 Stars, yet tweaks their sound to create more than just Diadem of 12 Stars, part II. One of the main things that the listener will notice with Two Hunters is that while it is seemingly not as conceptual as Diadem of 12 Stars, it does not mean that Wolves in the Throne Room is not paying attention to the overall ambience of their sound. Opening track Del Artio is an instrumental that makes the listener feel as though they are in a dark forest. From there, tracks like Behold the Vastness and Sorrow and I Will Lay Down My Bones Among the Rocks and Roots create the nightmarish feeling of getting lost without a map or a light. Much of that can be attributed to the band playing a little faster, yet maintaining the ability to segue into the slower parts with ease. The drumming seems to have also improved, which helps when Wolves in the Throne Room changes tempo. The vocals are reminiscent of the spirits that haunt the forest on a clear night. However, unlike Diadem of 12 Stars, Two Hunters seems to have cleaner production values, which like the overall sound, can only be heard if one can train their ears to find it. At the end of the album, there are sounds of birds chirping awaiting the listener if they can survive the 45-minute journey through the forest of sound that the band makes. Wolves in the Throne Room has emerged with another masterpiece in Two Hunters. While it is not a carbon copy of Diadem of 12 Stars, it certainly compares favorably in many respects. Fans of the early Ulver material, as well as Burzum will want to check out both albums. As for Two Hunters, it can be easy to get lost within the album, so have a light and a compass ready before putting in the CD.