Album Review: 1349 - The Wolf And The King

1349 are a band who have the soul intention and vision to maintain the legacy of black metal and their 8th studio album The Wolf And The King is their latest addition to the cause which will be released on October 4th via Season Of Mist.

The album title The Wolf And The King comes from a classic alchemical allegory: A wolf devours a king. Then the wolf is devoured by flames, and a new king rises from the ashes.

Vocalist and mastermind Ravn comments:

“When I first heard about alchemy when I was young, it was people turning metal into gold. Further down the road, through various literatures and magical practices, I realized that what you’re turning into gold is metaphorical. It’s about personal development, basically. You want to be the best you can be, and that’s what we try to do as well. We try to top ourselves, to kill our egos in order to grow as persons. If you don’t do that, you will die. You will not rise from the ashes.”

The record opens with 'The God Devourer' which is based on the alchemical principle of devouring all that you feel is in your way of becoming a better human and sets the ominous tone for the album overall. A cacophony of raw black metal aggression with sinister, frantic riffs, thunderous drums and venomous rasps with a foundation of groove. The track offers a truly diabolical solo towards its closing chapters that will send you spiraling. 'Ash Of Ages' is the record's lead track which expertly combines thrash metal elements with an array of black and death metal influences. A charging drum roll complete with chugging riffage is noted here for its commanding presence and threatening energy. However the track changes pace halfway through with a brutal charge of blast-beats and flurries of guitarwork.

'Shadow Point' is ominous with its single guitar tone whilst the chaos slowly builds to take over. A catchy, mid-tempo groove stomp interjects between the mayhem until a screaming, intricate guitar solo is introduced into the mix. 'Inferior Pathways' screams second-wave era black metal focusing on the raw tone of the blast-beats and fevered shredding. Ominous chants and deadly vocals create a foreboding atmosphere whilst another lightning speed guitar solo explodes out of nowhere.

'Inner Portal' introduces a groove-laced bassline with rolling drums and continues with eerie grimness and flourishes of shredding. More echoing spoken word chants call out from the void creating a dynamically evil tone. 'The Vessel And The Storm' kicks off with chaos straight away and really focuses on capturing the original spirit of black metal. 'Obscura' highlights the use of chugging basslines and blast-beats to really emphasise the primal energy of this record. However the stand-out moment on this track is the absolutely insane guitar solo which twists and turns with fevered intensity. 'Fatalist' closes the record in pure demonic evilness. A final push into the fiery abyss of Hell itself in a blaze of darkened glory.

1349 are a band on a mission to bring the glory days of the second wave of black metal to life. Raw passion, frantic energy and most importantly, straight to the point devastatingly dark and brutal black metal. The Wolf And The King capitalises on the bleak grimness and opulently evil tones of an eternally dark force of nature.

Rating: 7.5/10
Release Date: October 4th 2024
Released By: Season Of Mist
FFO: Mayhem, Gorgoroth, Immortal, Dark Funeral

Track List

1. The God Devourer
2. Ash Of Ages
3. Shadow Point
4. Inferior Pathways
5. Inner Portal
6. The Vessel And The Storm
7. Obscura
8. Fatalist