Consistency is a tricky thing to master as for some bands it means just going through the motions and releasing similarly-sounding songs and albums, while for other bands it means tweaking the formula just enough to yield familiar yet fresh material each time. Finnish melodic death metal masters WOLFHEART know how to stick to what works for them but still feel innovative in their songwriting. This is very apparent on the band’s seventh full-length, “Draconian Darkness,” out on September 6th, 2024, via Reigning Phoenix Music.
So, what did WOLFHEART do differently on this record? They allowed the orchestrations more room to breathe and thus, enhanced the atmosphere and mood of the songs making everything feel more dramatic and maybe even a bit theatrical. Other than that, their signature sound of monumental melodies, groovy rhythms, and the occasional juxtaposition between Tuomas Saukkonen’s growling vocals and Vageliss Karzis’s clean vocals are still the main driving forces of this album. However, the sound design of “Draconian Darkness” is more balanced between the sharp guitars and the sweeping orchestral melodies, making it feel richer in nuances and lush in textures, which is an utter delight to the ears. Nonetheless, this is still a dark, gloomy, and harsh album, comparable to a cold winter’s day that is somewhat softened by the golden sunlight that is filtering through the clouds.
First single released, “Grave,” is a wonderful preview of the album, with its soft piano intro that leads into a storm of guitars, drums, harsh vocals, and even harsher lyrics. The piano melody resurfaces only to enhance the chorus though the blast beats keep it grounded. This give-and-take is wonderfully balanced throughout the song making it a highlight of the album. Another noteworthy moment is the second single, “Evenfall,” which, despite its initial wall of drums, guitars, and bass has softer moments that balance out the soundscape; the riffs match the vocals perfectly while the sweeping orchestrations and layered chorus give it such a beautiful cinematic vibe that elevates the listening experience. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention “Burning Sky” here as well, as this is yet another standout moment that develops from a gentle acoustic start to a heavy and multi-layered soundscape with subtle symphonic accents and ominous riffs, capped off by Joonas Kauppinen’s incredibly powerful drumming.
Elsewhere on the album, “Ancient Cold” opens with opulent orchestrations that gradually lead the way to a full-blown melodeath feast where the symphonic backing arrangements add more than just a touch of grandeur to the technical aspect of their sound, softening it a bit. The melodic mid-paced cut “Death Leads the Way” is headbang-worthy thanks to its steady and groovy rhythm and chugging riffs while that solo is just the pick-me-up the song needs to liven things up a bit. Up next, the lush and cinematic “Scion of the Flame” is an interesting composition that masterfully transitions from a barrage of drums and symphonic melodies to an acoustic guitar and clean vocals and back to the usual fare of growling vocals, blast beats, and a layered chorus of cleans underneath harsh that is just massive.
The more straightforward “Throne of Bones” features some razor-sharp guitar melodies while the rumbling bass and pounding drums do their thing in the background, driving the song forward with intensity and providing Tuomas Saukkonen with a solid base upon which to thickly lay his vocals, which he does with his usual gusto. The third single release, “Trial by Fire,” is a high-octane, groovy, and heavy slab of melodic death metal that once again sports a huge chorus section and impressive drumming alongside some ominous-sounding backing arrangements that add depth to the fold. Closing the album in a serene fashion is “The Gale” which combines some violent moments with orchestral swells and acoustic passages and transitions from cleans to gutturals in a soothing way. This track thus neatly juxtaposes all the aggression and heaviness that came before and offers a nice way to wind the album down.
By mixing some orchestral and symphonic elements into their well-established melodeath formula, WOLFHEART have not only added new dimensions to their sound but also found a way to keep their music fresh and gripping without repeating themselves too much. This, in turn, makes “Draconian Darkness” a compelling listening experience for any fan of the band (or of the genre) while also highlighting the idea that sometimes a slight change to the way you do things can work wonders. True, striking such a perfect balance can sometimes be tricky business but WOLFHEART manage to walk that fine line with the precision that only seasoned musicians could have developed over the years of honing their craft.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
1. Ancient Cold
2. Evenfall
3. Burning Sky
4. Death Leads the Way
5. Scion of the Flame
6. Grave
7. Throne of Bones
8. Trial by Fire
9. The Gale
Lineup
Tuomas Saukkonen – vocals, guitars
Vageliss Karzis – lead guitars, clean vocals
Lauri Silvonen – bass, backing vocals
Joonas Kauppinen – drums
Label
Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM)
