Year: 2020
Total Time: 44:34
Label: Werewolf Records

One of the busiest musicians of the Finnish Black Metal scene is Werwolf (Lauri Penttilä), well known to all of us with the mighty SATANIC WARMASTER and also from the beginning of HORNA, as he was their singer from 1996 to 2001 with the nickname Nazgul Von Armageddon. In addition to his main band (SATANIC WARMASTER) he has participated and is participating in many other projects and bands with one of these projects entitled THE TRUE WERWOLF. The project (in which Werwolf is the only member) was created in 2002 and after eighteen years in which several demos, EP and split were released, decided to release this year their debut album as THE TRUE WERWOLF, through his own record company Werewolf Records,.

The album features all the elements of the Finnish Black Metal scene in which Werewolf gave birth. The characteristic guitar style of SATANIC WARMASTER and the vocals of Werwolf will remind you this band, especially their latest album “Fimbulwinter”. Following this project for years, I cannot say that I found great differences between these two bands musically. They are lyrically different, as THE TRUE WERWOLF is inspired by occult horror movies, fantastic literature, and video games (Castlevania). Also, the songs sound like compositions left over from SATANIC WARMASTER’s releases, but they are remarkable and, in some parts, keyboards are used to create a majestic atmosphere influenced by EMPEROR and VARGRAV.

The album is remarkable, without being something special. It is inspired from the Black Metal spirit of the early 90’s, with some songs being written years ago. In “Devil Crisis” those songs sound quite improved. The album is a good suggestion for those who want to listen to direct Finnish Black Metal and cover the time until the release of the new album of SATANIC WARMASTER (which is already being in progress).

Rating: 6.5/10
Editor: Nikos Manousis
Related Link: THE TRUE WERWOLF – Facebook Page