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artist: Ancestral Shadows
title: Wolven Mysteries of Ancient Lore
year: 2019
genre: Black Metal
type: Album
label: Independent
language: English
rel. date: 2019-08-23
source: WEB/MP3
quality: CBR 320kbps / 44.1 kHz / Joint Stereo
runtime: 00:43:56
size: 100.7 MiB / 8 tracks
rip date: 2026-08-31
source url: https://open.qobuz.com/album/n2skn8h8zrvab
tracklist:
01. Introduction (Monumentum Praeteritus) 2:04
02. Stronghold of the Black Abyss 6:57
03. Black Autumn Silence 9:20
04. Forged in the Flames of Old 3:13
05. Riders of the Grey Dawn 1:16
06. Spectres of the Lost Battlefield 8:00
07. Wolven Mysteries of Ancient Lore 8:42
08. I Reflect... Pt II Smrt (Death) 4:25
release notes:
ANCESTRAL SHADOWS is a Black Metal band hailing from Salem, New Hampshire
(the other Salem). They've been around since 2010 and have three
full-length and one live album to their credit. As far as style of Black
Metal, I'd say these guys do a fair job of exploring the full spectrum of
regional and wave influences. I've seen them categorized as Atmospheric
Black Metal on some forums, which seems to be code for creative and
intelligent song writing.
There are a lot of gradations to "Wolven Mysteries of Ancient Lore." I
wouldn't call it lo-fi, but it's not on the high end of the scale either.
More like a sweet spot where you can distinguish the instrumentation but
the bass is still bit flattened and the highs are muted to gray. The
compositions shift between traditional repetitive riffs and melodic
tremolo to acoustic and synth renderings. Apparitional Wolf Shadow's
guitar work is impressive. He isn't overly indulgent nor aggressive, but
rather gives each movement long enough to set in. Adding depth to the
album are two additional contributing guitarists: M.M. on tracks II, VII,
VIII and Rognvaldr on track III. On the vocals, Wraithtongue is a bit
traditional as well. His rasping screeches seem to emerge from a distance
- like from the far end of a darkened cellar - rather than the forefront.
Similar to the guitar work, additional vocalists are featured with Holly
Winchell on track III and A.W.S. on tracks IV and VII adding some rich
texture.
Thematically, the songs center on war, death, and other sundry morbidity.
There's also mention of dragons and swords and lycanthropy and general
deeds of vile darkness. Essentially, it's a deep well full of Black Metal
tropes. Best tracks are "II. Stronghold of the Black Abyss," "III. Black
Autumn Silence," "VI. Specters of the Lost Battlefield," and "VII. Wolven
Mysteries of Ancient Lore." As noted earlier, a few tracks function as
interludes. For some listeners, these tracks will add depth and
atmosphere; for others, they'll come across as unnecessary deviations.
"I. Intro - Monumentum Praeteritus," "IV. Forged in Flames of Old" and
"VIII. SMRT (Death)" fall into this category, while "V. Rider of the Grew
Dawn" is a short succession of lead solos played against the backdrop of
an equestrian mounted battle. Personally, they worked for me and are
essential parts of the album.
All together, "Wolven Mysteries of Ancient Lore" is an engaging piece of
Black Metal which deserves a place in any Black Metal fan's collection.
It's also refreshing to hear something come out of such an unexpected
location as America's New England.