Third album from Canadian blackened thrashy metal outfit. Though I must confess to not being familiar with their debut, I thoroughly enjoyed 2019s sophomore release “Heaven that Dwells Within”. This one is a bit different though; whilst elements of the epic, melodic Dissection-esque songcraft remain, it takes a bit of a backseat to a stripped back, sneering, riff-driven approach.
“Lunar Maniac” opens the show with some scene-setting atmospherics, before first track proper “Canadian Denim Mountain Attack”, despite its rather silly title, boasts some vicious tremelo picked riffage and pummelling drums, bolstered by icy melodic lead work.
There’s some proper FUCK YEAH moments on this album, for me the “OOH” grunt and raging thrash riff that ends “Hammer Of The Underworld” are undoubtedly a highlight, sitting in stark contrast with the howling dogs and folky acoustic atmospherics of “The Crimson Proof” which follows it.
After more thrashy blackened riffs with “Abracadabra”, “Grail” provides another folky interlude before finale “Teeth Of The Dawn” takes us on a galloping Maiden-esque ride, before those punky blackened riffs return.
The album is bookended by a competently hearty stab at Metallicas “Hit The Lights” honestly not hugely dissimilar to the original, save for raspy vocals in place of the infamous proto-Hetfield shrieks.
“Wolf Hex” maintains an arrogant punk attitude that underpins everything. Imagine latter day Darkthrone with better riffs and less… well, less shit. All in all, “Wolf Hex” is a great blend of classic extreme metal influences coupled with some solid, stellar songwriting.
(7/10 Doogz)
Leave a Reply