HEATHEN HARVEST webzine

   Wolfsblood has united the opposing worlds of tribal acoustic Teutonic shamanism with modern electronic wizardry. Combining acoustic drums, flutes bells and other such instruments with industrial style drones and reverberating electronic sounds the band has effectively created a seamless composition wherein these two opposing musical elements have found harmony.

Wolfsblood is a new and very notable addition to Cynfeirdd Records. Wolfsblood is a rather new face to grace the neofolk scene and Cynfeirdd has taken the initiative to introduce these new and highly talented musicians from Russia. Wolfsblood's first offering to the heathen folk music scene comes in the form of “Twilight of the World” a limited edition CD of just 472 copies. “Twilight of the World” spans more than sixteen songs and is an exceptional debut by the talented musicians of Wolfsblood.

Wolfsblood begins the Teutonic / shamanistic journey with the front cover of “Twilight of the World” with simple yet elegant artwork that depicts a wolf encircled by the runes of the Elder Futhark. Credentials for lyrics and composition are noted as Wolfsblood while an array of seven additional musicians and vocalists also contributed to the album including members of the Russian bands Languor, Embrace of Branches, and Moon Far Away. The Wolfsblood collective also utilize an equally diverse range of instrumentation from keyboards and digital effects to Shaman's drums and flutes & bells. With a small army of musicians and a well spring of talent Wolfsblood has taken upon themselves the mission of making modern heathen music filled with insight and pride.

Far from being your average folk guitar band Wolfsblood has debuted with a distinguishing release that wanders from the predictable neofolk fare. Wolfsblood has created an original sound that invokes a sense of the tribal and ritualistic aspects of Teutonic music and spirit. “Twilight of the World” abandons crystalline guitar driven ballads for hardcore mind altering and spontaneous compositions that emerge from the bands collective creativity and spiritual intuition. Wolfsblood leads the listener deep into the dark woods of myth and imagination as they draw their prey ever deeper into the long forsaken groves of our ancestors once worshipped in.

Wolfsblood has united the opposing worlds of tribal acoustic Teutonic shamanism with modern electronic wizardry. Combining acoustic drums, flutes bells and other such instruments with industrial style drones and reverberating electronic sounds the band has effectively created a seamless composition wherein these two opposing musical elements have found harmony. Industrial strength drones and psychedelic trance inducing electronic manipulations support a minimal acoustic platform of instruments that gently and intentionally explore and define each track. The music is capable of convincing the listener of the authenticity of the artist's vision and spiritual path. Indeed the imaginative will find themselves retracing history and visiting amongst their ancestors as they practice sacred rights under the stars. Wolfsblood draws inspiration from Nordic mythology, The Elder Eddas, the Teutonic tradition, and Aleister Crowley. Blending experimental electronics and tribal percussion the band has successfully created a portal of sound capable of reawakening the archaic spirit of the northern tribes.

The lyrical content of the music is equally powerful and all of the lyrics are either sung or chanted in the bands mother tongue Russian. Radical traditionalists and those appreciative of language and culture will be able to appreciate the Russian vocals. To insure that the lyrics are able to be understood by those unfamiliar with their language the band has printed all the lyrics contained in the album in English. The lyrical content of “Twilight of the World” includes songs such as “The Last Avatar” and “Twilight of the World” which address the end modern world and the return of Odin as well. The songs “Algiz” and “Raido” are two beautiful tracks that explore the esoteric and spiritual aspects of these two runes. Other songs on “Twilight of the World” have a slight martial feel as they explore feelings of resistance while others delve into such matters as spiritual decay and ancestral remembrance. Wolfsblood demonstrates through their lyrics that once again their vision straddles both a remembrance and an embracing of the ancient and sacred as well maintaining a dialogue relevant to our modern lives.

Comments and descriptions for each song are also available directly from the band at their website Wolfsblood

Wolfsblood “Twilight of the World” is highly recommended to anyone involved in a path involving Teutonic studies or other studies of Northern European culture or religion. Established fans of neofolk and ritualistic music will also find the music of Wolfsblood to be highly infectious. Readers that crave to feast on music with spiritual and heathen relevance will also find the music of Wolfsblood appealing. If your spirituality is focused upon a euphoric vision of humanity in harmony you may find the heathen spirit of the album less then optimistic. Wolfsblood “Twilight of the World” is an extremely limited edition release so act fast before these hand numbered copies are all claimed.

The music of Wolfsblood is quite directly ritualistic and spiritual in nature. Uses for this music should be apparent and abundant especially for those of us who are isolated in our journeys.

Wednesday, December 29 2004
Contributed by: Malahki Thorn
http://www.HeathenHarvest.com