Wolfchant - Determined Damnation
Massacre Records
Folk/Pagan Metal
12 songs (61:05)
Release year: 2009
Wolfchant, Massacre Records
Reviewed by Thomas

Germany has spawned some cool folk metal bands, and Massacre Records seems to be picking them up like apples in the autumn. Wolfchant is a folk metal band touched by the blackened spirit of the heathens formed back in 2003. These guys are also known for their work with the oldest pagan metal festival in Germany, `Ragnarök`, as the band-members are actually listed as founders of the entire festival. They are therefore a well-respected act in Germany, as they’re looked upon as one of the main bands behind the pagan metal movement there. With two widely critically acclaimed albums on their conscience, the pagan warriors in Wolfchant are ready to take on Midgard yet again with their ice-cold atmosphere, ripping riffs and blackened wolf-chants. Judging by the information-sheet that was attached to this promo, Determined Damnation is their most varied, sophisticated and their most demanding effort to date, that basically means that we’re in for quite the treat. Being relatively unfamiliar with these guys, I jumped onto this with little spark. Although I like folky pagan metal, it is something I am very picky about, and there are few bands that actually make it through my barriers. Wolfchant did however redeem my demands, and though they’re not flawless, they’re definitely worth some spins once in a while. They manage to create and inspire from the first moment on, and after the fitting acoustic intro Determination Begins fades, you know what you’re in for. Faster than you can say `nice`, World In Ice bursts out to hit you in the face with blazing blast-beats, blistering and melodic riffs and gurgling vocals that’ll rip your heart out. Lokhi’s aggressive screams lights the hellfire, despite sometimes drowning in their own harshness. Coupled with occasional mighty clean vocals like on the epic title-track that for some reason reminds me of Khronos-era Rotting Christ, he sucessfully creates an adventurous atmosphere that’ll take you back to the dark ages when the Vikings roamed the land.

Even though the vocals are good, the driving force behind this is really the guitars and drums. Timeless melodies mixed with slightly extreme riffs and the pounding blasting of multi-instrumentalist Norgahd makes this one explode into one of the more impressive folk-releases of the year. This will also stand as one that’ll be remembered along with the new Arkona that is due later this year/early next year. With outstanding songs such as the incredible In War, they mix up the best of folk with the core of metal to deliver entertaining, melodic, catchy and emotional folk metal that’ll grab your throat and clutch it from the first minute. Obvious flaws like a few weak vocal lines, the pointless Never too Drunk and the fact that this is a little too lengthy, falls completely short when what it all comes down to is another rock solid album from this pagan pack of wolves. In short, this contains everything a quality folk metal album should have. Neat raven-black melodies that’ll make you headbang in appreciation, face-fisting drums, shrieking vocals and an atmosphere that’ll haunt the kvltest and tr00est of metal-heads into the lap of their mother. Fellow Arkona-lovers should check this out, as this is definitely barking up their musical tree, hence an obvious addition to your collection. Highly recommended.

MySpace
Killing Songs :
World In Ice, Determined Damnation. In War, Warcry
Thomas quoted 81 / 100
Other albums by Wolfchant that we have reviewed:
Wolfchant - Embraced by Fire reviewed by Jared and quoted 64 / 100
1 readers voted
Average:
 50
You did not vote yet.
Vote now

There are 2 replies to this review. Last one on Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:19 pm
View and Post comments