Helvitnir – Wolves of the Underworld
Release Date: 14th March 2025
Label: Dusktone
Bandcamp
Genre: Black Metal
FFO: Ragnarok, Marduk, Dark Funeral, Taake, Sacramentum, Tsjuder.
Review By: Rick Farley
“Helvitnir, the Norwegian black metal act forged in the icy depths of 2023, is set to release their highly anticipated debut album Wolves of the Underworld, on March 14, 2025, through the esteemed Italian label Dusktone.”
Helvitnir was born from the departure of Hellcommander Vargblod (bass, vocals), Bjarkan (guitars) and Ihizahg (guitars) from second wave black metal band Ragnarok. Years and years of black metal synergy between the three members they continued their ferocious collaboration with a seven track demo in 2023 that caught the attention of Dusktone. By the end of 2023, the band had solidified their line-up with the legendary drummer Jan Axel “Hellhammer” Blomberg of Mayhem fame.
Their debut full length Wolves of the Underworld is a shining, furious example of second wave Norwegian black metal done extremely well. Helvitnir’s roots are deep in the sound of infernal intensity met with icy cold atmosphere. Bleak soundscapes combined with the ferocity of raw intent is what has always made this genre so potent. Even the idea that an old school membered band can release a modern sounding album in 2025, thirty some years later and still have the original spirit of that time period without feeling tired is astounding. Wicked guitars slash with icy sharpness, cutting with layered tremolo picking forming huge chunks of layered, nightmarish atmosphere, while Hellhammers technical drum prowess obliterates with its powerful blasting and insane fills. The primal sounding bass is present enough to hold the foundations from tearing apart, while the vocals are screechy, harshly growled and occasionally clean toned, all providing the perfect storm of hostile purpose. There’s a balance of volatility and unwavering tradition.
Tracks like opener Throes of Transformation and Black Flame Triad are angry and full of malice. Each second that passes is a hammering of black metal brutality. Extremely high energy that’s constantly attacking full force from start to finish. Little bits of background monotoned vocals, have a chanting style that’s reminiscence of Viking metal that adds touches of unexpected versatility. While tracks like Void of Emptiness have more atmospheric textures with swaggering catchiness but still no less ferocious.
Odinsbane carefully paints its dark playful ambiance it’s with hellish, hurried creepy crawl. Parts of the song are devastatingly fast double bass that easily could cave in your chest. Album closer Draugr is a mix of all the albums qualities, providing a satisfying end to the record. The last 25 seconds of the track is a beautiful acoustic guitar passage that perfectly sums up the emotional depth of the album.
Now truth be told Wolves of the Underworld is not anything remotely new or fresh, but it does have enough layered textures, shifting dynamics and a well-produced sound to make it stand out from all the other pretenders of today. These are some big names from the genre in Helvitnir still making engaging, malevolently written black metal that will be met with acclaim and eager fans. Wolves of the Underworld is chock-full of unrelenting primal energy that is put together in such a way that it’s near perfect runtime of 36+ minutes feels like even less. Easily could listen to this twice over and come away still feeling invigorated. Horns up.
(3.5 / 5)
