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artist: Wolftower
title: Crownless King of the Dismal Dark Empire
year: 2023
genre: Black Metal
type: Album
label: Inferna Profundus Records
language: English
rel. date: 2023-02-24
source: WEB/MP3
quality: CBR 320kbps / 44.1 kHz / Joint Stereo
runtime: 00:30:15
size: 69.4 MiB / 9 tracks
rip date: 2026-10-13
source url: https://open.qobuz.com/album/d6eu3q21bc3xa
tracklist:
01. Banners in Nightsky 1:36
02. Dragon Mountain 4:52
03. Circle of Sacrifice 3:48
04. Lux Inferni 1:18
05. Icy Tears Falling From the Sky 3:04
06. Eternal Winter of Hate 4:08
07. Crownless King of the Dismal Dark Empire 4:46
08. Dark Hymns Under the Sanguine Sky (bonus) 4:58
09. Call of the Infernal Woods 1:46
release notes:
Wolftower is a one-man raw Black Metal project from Finland, courtesy of
Vyrtur (also of Chamber Wraith and Dragon's Relic). This is the first
full-length from this project and its nine songs clock in at exactly 30
minutes. This is excellent raw, melodic, and up-tempo Black Metal with
well written songs, plenty of catchy riffs, and expertly placed synth to
add that touch of atmosphere when needed.
A dungeon synth intro (of which several appear again the form of
interludes between songs) doesn't overstay its welcome and quickly gives
way to 'Dragon Mountain', with pounding and primitive drumming and ice
cold riffing. Vyrtur's vocals are raw, but not without feeling and are
perfectly placed in the mix with a nice amount of reverb. Beautifully
laid synth comes in at about the 2 minute mark, before the song pummels
away for the remainder.
The album follows this format for most of the way. 'Icy Tears Falling
From the Sky' has a galloping guitar line and some great cymbal work on
the drums during the chorus that really evokes early Bathory if they were
to add some Gehenna style keys. 'Eternal Winter of Hate' just punishes
you straight way, Judas Iscariot style, only to give way to another great
keyboard line at the pre-chorus and a perfect tempo change into the
chorus.
This is some really well done raw Black Metal, while not necessarily
original, draws inspiration from the best of the first and second waves.
I do sometimes wish Vyrtur's vocals were a bit more decipherable, as
there are some powerful moments here that would be great to know the
words being sung. Another minor complaint is the odd tuning of the drums.
I dig the primitive sound, but there are parts when a louder snare or
cymbal could add a bit of power to what are very well written songs. With
that being said, this is highly recommended if you're a fan of the rawer
side of black metal. These are superbly written tracks that ebb and flow
nicely, keeping you engaged until the last tortured note.