The True Werwolf Releases a Black Metal Showcase of Heathen Fury

There is a delicate balance to black metal, a dichotomous dance of traditionalism and exploration - of maintaining the old, and yet exploring new horizons. Such an introduction may seem pompous, yet this is the very nature that I would use to describe The True Werwolf, and certainly the new full-length offering from Hell's Headbangers, The True Werwolf's "Devil Crisis". Having a decade-spanning career in underground prominence, the artist known as Graf Werwolf (Satanic Warmaster / Horna) is no stranger to this very methodology, and in fact, is one of the mainstays in the underground black metal presentation.

Full disclosure: I pre-ordered this album and have been listening to it constantly since receiving it. I can save plenty of space on this review and refrain from vapid adjectives by telling you that this album will assuredly be included among my "Best Of..." lists for 2020. This is a melodious, authentic black metal assault of the finest, darkest order; a melodious heathen foray into new musical horizons for Werwolf, and yet, the methodology is precise and comfortable, hearkening to the "old ways" as mentioned earlier.

Tremolo guitars, blast beat drums, minimal synths... this is aural comfort food for the dark-hearted connoisseur of the black arts; some new flourishes are tried, but retaining that signature melodic attack and rhythm structure that makes The True Werwolf compelling. Every song on this album lends and leads into the next, with the inimitable black metal rasp that only Werwolf knows how to deliver, and yet we are given surprises at nearly every turn. Not afraid to experiment with various inflections, Devil Crisis is a fantastic foray into exploration without sacrificing integrity (and if you are a fan of Castlevania, you need to listen to Chi No Namid right now!).

An album is only as good as its mix and its engineering, and Devil Crisis is no exception, with an excellent mix allowing the instruments to breathe without relying on too much compression and other distracting mixing techniques - an aspect that is often lauded among black metal purists. I'm finished writing; everything that needs to be told is written. Listen to this album. Buy this album. If you like black metal, listen to this album, it is damn good. You can find it on The True Werwolf Bandcamp site. They also have a Facebook page.