Metalcatto
Wolves in the Throne Room had the disgraceful luck of releasing a genre-defining album early in their career. Yes, we’re talking about Two Hunters. Ever since that peak, the band has truly struggled to capture my attention. So, Estuary has a titanic task ahead of it: break the pattern or give us even more of the same stuff we’ve been getting for the last 20 years. I have zero faith, guys. Just saying.
Okay, Estuary has given me some pretty mixed feelings. On one hand, it’s ambitious in scope and sound, but on the other… I’m just bored to no end. There’s something about the ideas explored here that feels repetitive. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good moments, probably the more folkish ones, but I’m still left feeling rather cold by the final product. I’m sad for all the wrong reasons with Estuary.
Perhaps it’s the guitar tone or the overall production, but everything sounds so opaque and muted somehow. Estuary delivers lo-fi bashing throughout its entire runtime, and honestly, I’ve been falling asleep. The album does become more melodic and interesting in its final tracks, so at least the longer compositions come closer to the band’s peak. There’s consistency all over the place here. I’ll give Wolves in the Throne Room that.
If you’ve been following this band, then Estuary isn’t offering any changes anytime soon. It’s more of what the band has been doing all these years. And though it’s much better than your average atmospheric Black Metal release, it’s still not wild enough to keep me from losing my patience. Sure, it can paint a picture of the woods, but it’s the same picture over and over again.
Yes, I’m disappointed. Not deeply, but perhaps that’s even sadder, because I’ve come to expect Wolves in the Throne Room to pull the same trick on every album. This is still competent and solid Black Metal, but in such an oversaturated niche, I’d expect something else. Meh, I’m going to sleep now.
Label: Relapse Records
Release date: 23 October, 2026
Website: https://wolvesinthethroneroom.bandcamp.com/album/estuary-north-america-edition
Country: USA
Score: 2.7/5.0
