Date: 2023
Total Time: 20:32
Label: Relapse Records

It’s almost two years since the release of 2021’s powerful yet excellent “Primordial Arcana” and the brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver decided to keep us warm with this 20-minute EP entitled “Crypt Of Ancestral Sorrows”. Staying true and dedicated to USBM’s “Cascadian” vision, they have split the release into two parts, one of pure Metal music and a “wandering” dark/folk one.

The opening with the storming “Beholden to Clan” took me by surprise as I had to take the headphones off and refocus on the information sheet as I momentarily thought I was listening to VARATHRON;s “Walpurgisnacht” album mixed with a mid-90s Greek Black Metal scene sound with a more polished production. However, the return to the standards of “Primordial Arcana” soon becomes apparent and this will become more understandable with “Twin Mouthed Spring” giving a greater emphasis on the usage of keys, but always focused and not deviating from their anthemic and triumphant sound. This element gives Aaron also the opportunity to share with us the whole atmosphere and mystique of the Cascadian Mountains with his dark, almost gothic vocals.

The atmospheric side of this EP is also interesting with “Initiates Of The White Heart” reminding me of something familiar on the first audition. So, looking back to the not-so-distant past, I found that it has a lot of similarities with the main riff of “Spirit Of Lightning” song (confirmed by them), imbued with an AGALLOCH aura. “Crown Of Stone” ends this mini-release of WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM atmospherically, almost ambiently, making them one of the most serious, daring, unique and essential bands of the USBM scene.

Rating: 7/10
Editor: Dimos Karadimos
Related Link: WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM – Official Page