Look, there’s not going to be any hiding this from you, so we’ll just as well get it out into the open now. “Across Corpses Grey” is a three track release, with a couple of cover versions (of Nokturnal Mortum, and Venom), with the main song an original composition lasting …erm….thirty minutes. Stop! Do not leave this review! Let me remind you that there are a number of great releases that rely heavily on one, long song (such as Sleep’s godly Dopesmoker, for instance).
The Wolves of Avalon feature most prominently The Meads of Asphodel’s Metatron on vocals, with an impressive roster of musicians appearing throughout the album, such as Thurios of Drudkh and Daemonskald of Sig:Ar:Tyr. Given that The Wolves features Metatron, you may not be completely surprised to know that the title track takes in a number of styles and themes. Thematically, the song deals with the horror of the Wars of the Roses, via all manner of extreme metal and mediaeval melodies. For the most part, this sounds like a flowing, folk-inspired metal tune, though that description really does not do it justice. Beginning with the atmospheric sound of falling rain, and an incredibly evocative lead guitar solo, the song really starts to gather pace at around the six minutes mark, with tasteful sounds of violin, cello and flute being intermingled with the more standard heavy metal fare. Here and there there are glimpses of the heavier elements of extreme metal – particularly with some abrasive blackened vocal sections, which bristle against the subtleties of the quieter, more progressive sounds. In fact, for some sections, I was pleasantly reminded of British Underground band Northern Oak, with the blend of the traditional and feral. It’s the mark of a genius mind that a song this sprawling and varied manages to remain fascinating without falling into complete chaos or chin-stroking nonsense. I have listened to the main track four or five times now, with a couple of those listens being back-to-back repeats. It has given up fresh treasures every time so far, and I anticipate that it will do so for some time to come.
Of the two cover versions, I can only really do “Die Hard” by Venom justice, not being familiar at all with the work of Nokturnal Mortum. “Die Hard” features Mantas on the guitar, sounding utterly fired up, it must be said, alongside guest appearances from Primordial’s Alan, Rob Miller of Amebix and Mirai of Sigh. It’s a pretty full fat version, with a punchy, powerful production that manages to keep the rock spirit of the original, but manages to weave in some of the dark atmosphere that you’d imagine that pedigree to inject into the classic. It’s a fairly faithful cover version, but pretty fun for all of that. “The Voice of Steel” is an engaging listen to, with a kind of folky black metal with the violin high up in the mix, and a war-drum rhythm that immediately connects to the ear. Whether or not this represents a good connection to the original, I can’t say, but it’s certainly an interesting track.
A curious release, perhaps: packed to the rafters with guests, with a single thirty minute track, an almost-nine minute cover version and a Venom number. At the same time, this represents some of what British metal can do best; a pure burst of inspiration that pays very little attention to genre conventions, and instead goes for atmosphere and individuality, having more in common with the likes of Sabbat and early Skyclad than traditional underground fare, and being none the worse for it. I think this is a flash of genius, and I’d like to hear more from the band. A whole lot more.
(8.5/10 Chris Davison)
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