Origin: Hyvinkää, Uusimaa, Finland 🇫🇮
Genre: Black Metal
As if from some forgotten or perhaps purposely hidden corner of the black metal universe emerges Grieve… And they’ve come – much like an uninvited crasher who happens to have brought some pretty good beer – with pale, frigid and frosty black metal for all. Straight Northern-bred, bestial and not for mainstream ears or anyone who can’t find the beauty in smoker’s cough. On March 31, Grieve will unshackle their sophomore full-length abomination, “Wolves of the Northern Moon”, via underground scene rex, Werewolf Records.
In accordance with Northern BM tradition but beholden to no particular stylistic homage but to nature’s own bestial symphony, V-Khaoz (Druadan Forest, ex-Azaghal) and Werwolf (Satanic Warmaster) are dragging fresh kills – pulverized prey from out of the wooded shadows of Suomi into the light of day in offering to those bold enough to venture away from what’s become a somewhat predictable, throwback-to-the-early-90’s-minded black metal scene. Into the olde forest we go now; all senses heightened under moonlight and all lesser beasts ripe for the hunt. And the majesty of it all? Gone the way of the eagle as there is nothing more to greet us here than the arcane savagery of “Wolves of the Wintermoon” and “Ancient Enemy of Life” – stripped-down and ravenous yet somehow possessing of enough ethereal and allure to constitute the atmospheric black metal label. Doesn’t truly fit though as this is no heartfelt or uplifting venture. Do not expect Grima, only a brilliant but altogether putrid vocal contribution from Werwolf as forces beyond ancient are tapped into and channeled through bloodcurdling screams and maniacal laughter. Not since Azaghal’s 2002 masterpiece, “Of Beasts and Vultures” have my ears bore witness to such wolfborn lunacy. A celebration of man’s baser animalistic traits and a testament to a deep understanding of what’s known as true black metal.
With “Wolves of the Northern Moon”, Grieve rape the norm and murder all expectations. Like mortal men possessed by the great Orionic spirit of the hunt unleashed into the night; frantic yet focused and set to disembowel anything beneath them on the food chain, Grieve are hot on the scent of your fear, your beer and your cigarettes… Elegant and melancholic, even melodic at times but overall just untamed, unbridled and very uncouth is “Wolves of the Northern Moon”. Interesting aesthetic to take in due to paradoxical tracks like “Eternal Winter, Eternal War” and “The Dark Storm of Death”. Are they bestial or are they atmospheric? Well, they’re both and more-than-likely unlike anything you’ve ever heard or even knew existed. It’s Werwolf who really makes this record unique, and if you can’t handle the whole bellowing lunatic vibe then this one’s not for you. Love the spirit of this music and I definitely did not see this one coming.
8/10
Experience “Deep In the Ice-Cold Mountains” from “Wolves of the Northern Moon” right here:
~Jeger
