Sacrifice to Valaskjàlf

Sicilian black/death horde Krigere Wolf have remained active since forming in 2009. Despite a host of lineup changes and, to the best of my knowledge, only one founding member remaining, the band has unleashed two full length albums, 2012′s The Ancient Culture to Kill and 2014′s Sacrifice to Valaskjàlf and, at the time of this writing, is gearing up for another full length in the near future. The band’s sophomore album was released through Fallen-Angels Productions and boasts nearly forty minutes of unrelenting music.

Sacrifice to Valaskjàlf was recorded as a three piece, with bassist/vocalist R.C. joined by Azmeroth on lead guitar and F. Bauso on rhythm guitar; with Across the Swarm and Furyu drummer Riccardo Grechi being recruited for drums. The resulting album is harsh, acerbic and unrelenting, bursting forth in a miasmic rage of sweltering trem riffs and blastbeats, with R.C.’s raspy, gravelly bark leading the charge. Aside from a few moments of serenity during the atmospheric styling of “Blood to the Wolves” or the melodious bass and spoken word approach of “The End Has a Beginning”, Krigere Wolf charges forth with vicious fervor.

Swaths of fiery trem riffing dive headfirst into moments of blackened thrashing before crumbling under a heavy handed swagger. Despite the outright heaviness of the songwriting, the band manages to work in a few moments of harmonized guitars and plenty of solid lead work, which brings more depth than the average blasting black/death metal fodder. Although the band presents a fresh take on the sound, there are a few moments that seem to collapse under its weight; like when a riff slightly overstays its welcome or the somewhat forced atmospherics during the melodic portions seems to wander into left field.

Sacrifice to Valaskjàlf is a distinct album in that the band is able to bring a varied approach without taking away from the unrelenting and vicious style at hand. The lineup has changed since the recording of this album, so only time will tell what’s in store for Krigere Wolf on the next round. If the band can continue in this vein, the future should be bright, indeed. Fans of unrelenting black metal with shades of death and thrash metal should find plenty to dig into here.

Written for The Metal Observer.