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Gleis 22, Münster, Germany
30th May 2010
Wolves in the Throne Room & Der Weg einer Freiheit

After months of waiting, the day finally was there we had been waiting for since the spectacle had been announced, which was to take place on that very evening, close to our homes and yet so utterly removed from this world. In short, a black metal concert right bang smack in the middle of town, more or less right in front of the door, and not a concert of any lesser band, yet the great WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, a band which has been stirring things up right across various scenes, scenes which normally ignore each other. A union of diversity was to find place, a communion, a celebration of mass.


Der Weg Einer Freiheit

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT is a very young Black Metal band hailing from Germany. Their demo appeared early this year and featured very intensive and good BM, yet the drum computer didn’t sound too good. The demo has since then been rerecorded with a proper drummer and has been compared to other classical demo releases from bands within the German scene, such as DRAUTRAN or HELRUNAR. The self-titled debut album of the band has been released in May 2010. DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT is Nikita (guitars, bass, lyrics), Tobias (vocals), Christian (drums), Andreas (live-bass) and Dennis (live-guitars). http://www.myspace.com/derwegeinerfreiheit



Music & Performance
The guys, who look like they just left school, also play in a Metalcore band, which is rather shocking for the oh-so grim and serious black metal crowd. However that crowd is only happy when they can lay their fingers on some obscure release (naturally limited to 88 copies) of some odd East European band playing totally grim and evil and true black metal. It’s just like DARKTHRONE back then, total spirit and necro-holocaust, and really elite and so on, thus elevating a not really existent feeling of self-worth to high degrees. Or something like that. Whatever! Reviews were mixed concerning DWEE’s live performances, some people said negative things, some said positive things and thus I was rather curious to see them for myself. And they rocked! The band managed to play a very good and relatively tight gig, despite their young age.



Double guitar posing attacks, however, still need to be practiced a bit, and perhaps someday they might realize such stage antics deliver a good show, but are superfluous if the music can stand for itself. Which it can! DWEE certainly have a lot of potential and room to grow. All in all, a rather pleasant surprise!

Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 7
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 7.6 / 10


Wolves in the Throne Room

WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM from the US have established a unique standing in the Metal scene, combining Nordic Black Metal with elements of Thrash Metal, Postrock, Shoegaze and on several occasions even Ambient. The first album ‘Diadem of 12 Stars’, released in 2006, caught the attention of the label which would go on to sign them. ‘Two Hunters’ followed it up and gained the band widespread recognition together with their third and most recent album ‘Black Cascade’, released in 2009. WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM is Nathan Weaver (guitar, vocals) and Aaron Weaver (drums, synth, bass, guitar). http://www.wittr.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/wolvesinthethroneroom



Music & Performance
Those who have already witnessed a live concert of WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM (from now on abbreviated as WITTR, for shortness’ sake) don’t need to read further. WITTR are a very special band, capturing the atmospheric essence of Black Metal, the deep feeling of the music, yet without the dead weight of dead clichés, regurgitated for the umpteenth time, pure pose and superficial, without any inner fire and desire. The flags were unfurled, the light was turned off and candles were lit, the only orientation in the darkness – and then there was sound. Sound from the depths of the soul, a cacophony of guitars and melody, blazing intensity, channelling itself into the minds and hearts of the fellowship who had gathered to witness what took place. There are no words to describe WITTR, as the band itself has to be witnessed live. Touring and gigging even as a trio, the musicians behind the band managed to convey their music in a highly impressive fashion. The only thing that has to be remarked is that the gig was rather short, clocking in at about 50 minutes.



Touring and fast guitar playing seems to be taking its toll on the one or other wrist, which is totally excusable considering the period of time WITTR has been on the road in the last few years. Nonetheless, the great beast that is WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM has retained its presence on the stage, despite probably playing chilling hymns such as ‘Vastness and Sorrow’ and ‘Wanderer Above A Sea Of Fog’ for the hundredth time or so. It is seldom a band can consistently record music in which the listener are able to lose themselves, yet it’s even more seldom that a band can replicate such an effect on stage in a live setting. This band has to be seen and heard.

Rating
Music: 9.5
Performance: 9
Sound: 9
Light: 9 (even though there was just candle light, it fitted very well)
Total: 9.2 / 10

All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com/ / http://www.black-cat-net.de/ / www.myspace.com/vorndranphotography)

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