Search - Wolves in the Throne Room :: Black Cascade

Wolves in the Throne Room - Black Cascade

C. Loescher | Loves Park, IL USA | 05/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Black Cascade, Wolves in the Throne Room's third full-length, opens with the sound of pouring rain. Mere seconds later, the listener is swept into a scathing maelstrom of blindingly-fast black metal, more potent than on previous outings. Throughout the course of the album's four lengthy tracks (around 10-15 minutes each), WITTR unleashes what is likely their best work in every respect.



Led by brothers Nathan and Aaron Weaver, the former helming vocals and guitars, the latter being the skinsman, WITTR's sound can best be described as nature-inspired black metal. With Black Cascade, WITTR further cements their position in the upper echelon of said sub-sub-genre, with nods to Enslaved, Negura Bunget, Drudkh, and Agalloch. In particular, WITTR expertly mimes Drudkh's immeasurable talent for sweeping, tremolo-picked, melancholic black metal passages, but as opposed to a folk sound structure, WITTR exhibits somewhat of an epic, environmental vibe. The roaring guitars, loud, chaotic, and overflowing with energy, along with the phenomenal drumming, give Black Cascade a layered, rich, organic, and powerful sound encapsulated more perfectly than on Diadem of 12 Stars and Two Hunters. Nathan's raspy, screaming vocals have never been more biting and effective, and the inclusion of faint background keyboards lend additional melancholy and awe. The pace of the four songs is frequently slowed, quickened, and stopped, breaking unexpectedly to keyboard/guitar ambient noise, acoustic passages, or simply a back-to-start slowdown of aural lava.



Wolves in the Throne Room's Black Cascade is one of the best modern examples of the raw, emotional power of black metal, and is highly recommended to fans of any of the aforementioned groups, or those who seek the musical equivalent to an acid rainstorm in the middle of a heavily wooded area.

"

These guys never disppoint!!!!

Janet B. Willis | San Diego,CA | 04/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently saw these guys on their Tombs/Pelican tour and although I love Pelican, I was more anticipating these guys on stage. Perhaps curiosity,perhaps just a need to see these guys live becuase they are great and I've been following them for several years now ? I was leveled completely within the first couple of riffs of their set and although most fans were there for Pelican, these guys warmed you up well with ears ringing and swirling monstrous,epic riffs that get you lost in time space and then Pelican polished you off. One of the members suffered a breakage on his pre amp during the first song and the crowd wasn't too happy about it, but fortunately it was fixed in a matter of minutes and by this time a lot of people were already anticipating the show and got there first taste of it early on in the set. At a crappy little venue these guys still killed and it has been one of the best shows that I've seen period. Simply put...the music made the mood and there was no need for a fancy venue or any smoke and mirrors!!!! And YES!!!! this album kills too. They are now headlining a tour so see them, buy their stuff, and experience it. These guys are worth it!!!!!"

Third Fantastic Full-Length from WITTR

D. Chilstrom | Germany | 04/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Black Cascade contains nuanced development in the sound of Wolves in the Throne Room, but the band's trademark sound is center stage. As with previous releases, WITTR see fit to pack the album into four tracks, but the content of those tracks differs from Diadem of Twelve Stars and Two Hunters in the consistency of each song's intensity. This is not to say that the band has made 10+ minute tracks that constantly blaze along, but that each track is approached more actively than previous albums, which contained more extended ambient interludes. Here, the ambient/shoegaze and folk interludes arise organically within each track, and the band never leaves you in the quiet for too long. Tempo changes come frequently, and again, organically (fitting, given the philosophy of the band).



This is another magnificent record in an ascendant American black metal scene. Wolves in the Throne Room have remained true to their atmospheric style while making a continually engaging album. If you like what you've heard of WITTR previously, you would do well to pick this up."