EP Review: Wolfheart - Draconian Darkness II
Reviewed by Oli Gonzalez
Wolfheart. Originally a passion project for frontman and founder Tuomas Saukkonen, the band have brought their blistering brand of melodic death metal to audiences and stages across the world for over a decade now! The band’s signature sound, conjured up in the deepest darkest depths of Finland, expertly blends intense crushing atmosphere with elegant and aesthetic melodies. Many would have been introduced to the band almost exactly a year ago when the band made a statement with their sixth studio album “Draconian Darkness”. Almost exactly a year later, Wolfheart are again on the release radar as they follow this up with “Draconian Darkness II”, a much smaller five track EP. Some would question the relatively narrow timeframe between these two releases. Some may even say this is a mere cash grab and a capitalist ploy. However, in this consumerist, fast food world of music, air time in any format is like gold dust. Providing a reminder to your fans that the creative juices are still flowing is never a bad thing either! So, will “Draconian Darkness II” prove to be a worthy successor to its one year old brother? We’ll see…
Of the five tracks, only two are actually new compositions. This did strike me as odd at first, but after a deeper dive into the EP, it began to make more sense!
A band can have all the studio polish and magic in the world, but it’s really the live sound that matters most. Wolfheart have clearly put their money where their mouth is with a stunning live rendition of ‘Burning Sky’! Genuinely, it’s hard to tell it apart from the studio version, and in many ways the musician’s ability to express themselves naturally as individuals without the constraints of the studio absolutely works here!
I can remember listening to ‘The Gale’ almost a year ago and finding myself enamoured! Enthralled by the beauty of the gentle extended acoustic guitar segment that occupies the opening of the track. Though this was before having my senses smashed by Wolfheart’s trademark intensity! However, “Draconian Darkness II” features a stripped down acoustic only version of this track. This highlights Wolfheart’s compositional genius to reimagine one of their most prized possessions into an almost folk like ballad, with only clean vocals to sooth your aching soul.
The band take a similar path in a clever reincarnation of ‘The Grave’ in an entirely orchestral form! If strings and oboes aren’t your thing, then just head back to the original! You won’t be disappointed.
Of the EP’s two new and original releases, ‘Carnivore’ is the first. Within seconds, you’re greeted with the most sadistic and piercing lead guitar tone! Like something you’d expect from a doom metal track, in the vein of Candlemass or Swallow The Sun. The first 2 minutes or so do take on more of doom metal vibe. Slower, bludgeoning, a different side to Wolfheart. Then normal business is resumed with the usual blast beats
and frantic pace you come to expect from the band. Alongside an instantly memorable chorus and blistering guitar solo, and you’ve got yourself a well rounded and respectable song here!
Try to listen to ‘Forefather’, the other new release, without rocking your head back and forth to the infectious groove and rhythm, and you’ll fail! With the drums and bass locked in elegantly, there’s license to explore all avenues of melody from a variety of sources. Whether it’s the route one distorted guitar assault, the pianos, orchestral strings, or even ambient acoustic guitar, it’s a banquet for the senses!
So, how does “Draconian Darkness II” compare to its predecessor or the band’s discography in general? Well, simply, this serves as an emphatic reminder that Wolfheart are very much still here, and are looking to forcefully insert themselves into contention as one of melodic death metal’s elite. Because they certainly have the potential to be there!
