Hail, you frostbitten fiends of the Black Metal Archives- Sean here, and tonight we’re staring down the abyss with 1349’s latest slab of Norwegian darkness, The Wolf & The King. After decades of blazing their own infernal trail, 1349 return with a record that’s equal parts cosmic chaos and old-school savagery, proving once again why they’re the reigning monarchs of black metal’s second wave.
From the opening blast of “The God Devourer,” it’s clear 1349 aren’t here to reinvent themselves- they’re here to remind you why their name is carved into the black metal pantheon. The production is modern but raw, with every instrument given room to breathe: Archaon’s guitars cut through the mix like a comet’s tail, while Seidemann’s bass rumbles beneath the surface, anchoring the chaos. Frost’s drumming is as relentless as ever- blastbeats, double-kicks, and fills that sound like artillery fire in the dead of winter. Ravn’s vocals? Pure venom, spitting occult invocations and apocalyptic visions with a voice that’s aged like a fine poison.
Highlights: Rituals in the Void
- “The God Devourer” and “Shadow Point” (both with official music videos) set the tone with cosmic, occult lyrics and riffs that spiral into the void. Archaon’s songwriting shines here, balancing melody and mayhem with a deft hand.
- “Ash of Ages” and “Inferior Pathways” showcase the band’s ability to shift from pummeling speed to atmospheric dread, layering in subtle melodies without losing their feral edge.
- “The Vessel and the Storm” and “Fatalist” close the album with a sense of apocalyptic grandeur, epic, punishing, and laced with a sense of ritualistic finality.
Throughout, the lyrics (penned by Svartalv) are steeped in esoteric imagery: gods devoured, ancient empires in ash, portals to inner darkness, and the eternal struggle between chaos and order. There’s a sense of cosmic scale this isn’t just black metal for the grave, it’s black metal for the end of all things.
The Wolf & The King is a triumphant return for 1349, ferocious, atmospheric, and unashamedly black metal to its core. It’s an album that looks to the cosmos but never forgets its roots in the icy wastes of Norway. Whether you’re a longtime devotee or a newcomer to their infernal rites, this record demands your attention.
This album is available on Bandcamp! Crank it loud, let the void swallow you whole, and tell me- does The Wolf & The King leave you howling, or do you kneel before the throne?
RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5
RATING SYSTEM:
- 0: Fucking Shit
- 1: Shit
- 2: Not Bad Shit
- 3: Pretty Good Shit
- 4: Amazing Fucking Shit
- 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear
Stay cold, you cosmic marauders, and keep the black flame burning!
