Stargazer scholar
Norway’s 1349 has been consistent in proving that maintaining the unholy spirit of Black Metal doesn’t require stagnation. Starting out as self-professed adherents of a more traditionalist approach, the band has since explored Dark Ambient and Thrash, all without compromising its blackened credentials. While some of its work has been divisive—particularly the more experimental, droning side, which received mixed reactions from the genre’s more conservative audience—the band has pressed on with unfaltering zeal and grim determination. At this point in 1349‘s career, one thing is certain: the new opus is dark, uncompromising, and extreme. Its final form, however, remains to be seen, so let’s discover The Wolf and the King together.
Stylistically following in the footsteps of its dynamic predecessor, The Infernal Pathway, this latest opus features a denser, more monolithic production. Ambient interludes are abandoned in favor of smoother transitions between songs. Echoes of more recent acts like Imperialist or the final incarnation of Dark Fortress are discernible in the cold, technical precision of The Wolf. Aggression is almost unrelenting but never at the expense of the album’s flow. The creative shifts between groove, melody, and the crooked intensity of complex rhythmic patterns are mesmerizing, and the record’s compact 39 minutes fly by like the Witch-king of Angmar. Archaon’s riffs and solos are sharp and venomous, while Frost and Seidemann form a relentless rhythm section, and Ravn snarls and croaks with conviction and power. “Inner Portal” boasts trudging blasts that wouldn’t feel out of place on Immortal’s thrashier classics (though they were already utilized on the previous album, to similar effect). The Prog-leaning explosiveness of the closing epic “Fatalist” instantly made it one of my favorite songs of the year. The clean, semi-spoken vocals and chants in this experimental conclusion bring to mind Mayhem’s underrated masterpiece Grand Declaration of War.
Outside of this grandiose finale, however, there’s little room for the free-flowing poetry we often associate with Black Metal. Amplifying the tendencies of 1349‘s recent output, the vocal lines are clearly defined, more akin to Rock and Roll— for better or worse. Most tracks have very pronounced choruses, consisting of repeated titles with another line or two thrown in for good measure. Some might find this AC/DC-inspired approach appealing, but personally, I think these easily decipherable structures and similar-sounding choruses undermine the depth the band is capable of achieving with clever arrangements and creative bridges. The Wolf struggles to strike the same balance between accessibility and imagination that The Infernal Pathway managed. But perhaps that was the intent all along?
This was a tough album to review. Individually, every track is strong and packs a passionate punch, admirable for such an established act. “The Raven” is instantly likable and, in its own frostbitten way, charming. Even with the simpler musical constructs, the musicianship shines and holds your attention. On the other hand, the album as a whole feels less than the sum of its parts due to monotonous refrains, disappointingly consistent moods, and some recycled ideas. If you’re new to 1349, or haven’t heard its last couple of LPs, you might enjoy The Wolf and the King more than I did. It’s another solid entry in the band’s discography, but I sincerely hope its future endeavors take it down a less-traveled road. Like no other act, the band knows how to be creative without letting the black flame flicker out.
Label: Season Of Mist
Release date: 04 October, 2024
Website: https://legion1349.com/
Country: Norway
Score: 3.33/5 (our first score with decimals, amazing!)
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