Wolves in Haze – Chaos Reigns
Release Date: 3rd September 2021
Label: Majestic Mountain Records / Tvåvakt Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Stoner, Doom, Heavy Rock.
FFO: QotSA, Fu Manchu, Backyard Babies, Black Sabbath.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Wolves in Haze are a Gothenburg based band with Chaos Reigns being their 2nd full length album following up from their eponymous debut. So, now you know as much as I did about this band, and once you listen to Chaos Reigns is it something that you will want to rectify.
Chaos Reigns is a delightfully dirty bundle of scuzzy riffage that immediately settles itself into your head, stimulating the dopamine and serotonin in your brain. Opening single, ‘Green River Speaks’ sets a high bar, which is immediately raised with the 2nd track, ‘Way in Haze’ which is a great track.
The good times continue, bringing happy thoughts, consistent riffs and great vocals. ‘My Destroyer’ has a bit of a Windhand vibe about it, with a mournful, ethereal chemistry that merely leads back into the more Stoner/doom metal leanings that dominate the album.
To be honest, it is quite difficult to pigeonhole Wolves in Haze in any genre. Yes, they have a scuzzy stoner riff, but, occasionally, the vocals are delivered in a similar style to another Swedish band, Backyard Babies, especially in Beyond Perception, and this is what allows the album to breathe and stand alone in a genre where it can be very difficult to be original.
Chaos Reigns rattles along at a relentless pace, with 11 tracks coming in at around 40 minutes. It never feels rushed though, with each song having a particular nuance to welcome you in, be it nods to Black Sabbath with a particular tone, or the consistent high standard of the riffs, or the urgent vocals. There are more than enough aspects to this album that allows it to stand up to multiple listens.
The bio of the band describes them as ‘ferociously filthy, deviously dirty death metal infused rock and bloody roll’.
That is as good a description as any!
If you are going to discover 1 new band this year, why not Wolves in Haze. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
(4 / 5)
