Wolves in the Throne Room – Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge (Review)

This is the latest EP from US black metal band Wolves in the Throne Room.

A new Wolves in the Throne Room release is always a cause for celebration, even if it’s not a full album. Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge provides us with two new songs, a remix, and an ambient outro. Let’s dig in and see what this is all about.

This 21-minute EP begins with Beholden to Clan, the longest cut here. It’s a grandiose work of atmospheric/symphonic black metal that’s rich with atmosphere and layered expression. It really is an exceptional song that finds Wolves in the Throne room in fine form.

Twin Mouthed Spring follows, and boasts an Agalloch-esque immensity mixed with an Alcest-like beauty that’s striking. The song is enriched with acoustic guitars that sparkle and shine, while expressive synths layer the music with ethereal depth. Like it’s predecessor, it’s a damn good song that bodes well for the future of the band’s creative journey.

The second half of the EP opens with Initiates of the White Hart, which is a reinterpretation of Spirit of Lightning, (from 2021’s Primordial Arcana). This version has an atmospheric industrial sheen, portraying a different facet of the original. It works well enough for a remix. The final track is a dark ambient piece; Crown of Stone is essentially a filler track, as all such outro/interludes typically are. However, it’s not bad by any means.

Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge is an EP of two sides. The first offers an essential couple of songs that really should be heard far and wide, while the second offers two curiosities for hardened fans only. Regardless of this, I highly recommend checking this out. After all, it’s Wolves in the Throne Room, and therefore worthy of your attention.