1349 – The Wolf and the King (Review)

This is the eighth album from Norwegian black metallers 1349.

1349 boast current/ex-members of Gorgoroth, Keep of Kalessin, Mortem, and Satyricon in their ranks, and they provide us with 39 minutes of Norwegian black metal in the form of The Wolf and the King.

This is black metal that’s precise and professional, but lacks for nothing in passionate delivery. While 1349’s style is based on the classic second wave template, it’s not aiming to completely recreate this time. Apart from the contemporary production, there are also far more meaty riffs and burning solos than were typical for the 90s. Even taking this into account though, the overall presentation of The Wolf and the King is of cold, frosted black metal, played in the spirit of those ancient times. An old-school heart with modern weaponry; 1349 deliver black metal with a direct unbroken line back to 90s.

The songs have a wealth of hooks, and although they all exist within a well-defined stylistic framework, they all have their own character within this. I’ll mention the riffs again, as The Wolf and the King is a veritable riff-fest if you know where to look. There are blackened rhythms and icy atmospheres aplenty, but 1349 damn well know how to riff too, (with a thrash influence at times). Also, as you’d expect of someone of the drummer’s pedigree, the drums are impressive and impactful throughout, (and very satisfying to really pay attention and listen to in their own right). Add to this a vocalist who performs convincingly malevolent snarls across all of the tracks, and even throws in a bit of emotive variety in places, you have a strong musical package that’s easy to like.

The Wolf and the King delivers the goods. It does exactly what you’d expect an album like this to do, and does it very well. I enjoyed 1349’s new record a great deal. If you’re in the market for a modern interpretation of a classic style, then this is a really solid collection of songs.

For fans of bands such as Carpathian Forest, Dark Funeral, Enthroned, Immortal, Marduk, Satyricon, Tsjuder, and Watain.