Wolves of Armageddon

“Wolves of Armageddon” is some serious black metal from the Gehenna crew. When I say ‘Gehenna’, I am talking about the cult hardcore punk band, not the various metal bands with that name. Sangraal presents a similar pseudo-Satanic, apocalyptic nihilism to Gehenna, with lots of reverb and fast, short songs. Technically, Sangraal and Gehenna are two distinct bands although at least two (possibly three) key Gehenna members played on this record. There are subtle differences between the two bands, but if you enjoy records like "Upon the Gravehill" and "Negotium Perambulans in Tenebris" then you will like Sangraal too.

On those subtle differences; Sangraal is a black metal band with hardcore elements whilst Gehenna is a hardcore band with black metal elements. Other than Gehenna, Sangraal most reminds me of Impaled Nazarene. Both bands are fast, chaotic and punk-inspired (the track "Absorption into Wisdom" reminds me of Infest, for example). The black metal influences come from the first and second wave of the genre. The vocals are croakier and even more Quorthon-esque than on the Gehenna records. Tracks like "Misery/Plague Riders" and "Beyond the Asteral" are based on tremolo riff patterns that resemble prime-era Darkthrone. The looseness of a song like "The Conquerors" reminds me of Blasphemy and various South American black/thrash/death metal bands from the eighties. The excellent cover of "Morbid Tales" shows where the band are orientated.

I do not think this album is quite as good as the best Gehenna material, which is more varied and dynamic whilst offering the same basal thrills. Nonetheless, “Wolves of Armageddon” is an evil, hellish, spontaneous album that stands on its own two feet. Bands like Sangraal and Gehenna might find new audiences in the wake of the black metal/punk crossover that has happened in the years since this album was released. I hope so. Personally, I'd rather hear this kind of music coming from a bunch of middle-aged nihilistic punks who hate everyone, rather than from some clueless metal kids pushing a garbled political ‘message’. Hail Sangraal. Hail Gehenna.