REVIEW: Wolves in Winter unleash grandiose, epic debut 'The Calling Quiet'

Since its release around a month ago, I've been listening to the new record from Bradford doomsters Wolves in Winter quite a lot, released via Argonauta Records. An epic, melodic offering, with a bit of a progressive tinge to the music, it's exceptionally cohesive and well-executed for a debut - though there is a wealth of experience from UK doom and sludge within, with current members of Ironrat and Lazarus Blackstar in their ranks. This shines through, helping to create a focussed and powerful album. Upon seeing them live when I was on tour some months ago, I was amazed at the huge, muscular overall sound coming from the amps. This has been captured very well in the studio - the record sounds huge.

A mournful, melodic sound emanates straight after the first few seconds of 'The Cords That Ends The Pain'. The guitar tone is as thick as treacle and there's a lovely, soulful baritone lead vocal guiding the song - and indeed the album. Their tempo and key changes feel really natural, keeping the song living and breathing, which is also shown off well during 'Nemesis'. It has an opening riff not dissimilar to Candlemass' 'Solitude', but overall has more of a My Dying Bride-esque feel to it. 'Pastime for Helots' comes in with clean guitars that chime beautifully, before a wonderfully emotive chorus really elevates the song. I find it really cool how they switch the key down by half a step, but again, the way that Wolves in Winter come in and leave this section feels very natural and tasteful. There's definitely a shade or two of Paradise Lost as the song evolves - this could only be a true Yorkshire record.

'Promised Harvest' keeps the listener guessing with a real ugliness and sludginess to the riffing. Possibly the heaviest song, though with some beautiful melodic sequences littered throughout, its grit makes it one of the album's most memorable tracks. 'Oceans' is very desolate and bleak for the most part, but their key changes can introduce an uplifting sense of hope to stop it from completely veering off into the abyss, before Wolves show off another brilliant display of twin-guitar melodicism, creating a potent, morose finale for 'Calling the Quiet'. The moods that it conveys bring a satisfying feeling of conclusion as the record slowly grinds to a halt.

Wolves in Winter - Promised Harvest (live Sep 2022)

Wolves in Winter show that they are very good at what they do over the whole of The Calling Quiet. The lead vocals really are impressive, with a lot of range - emotional as well as melodic - to carry the record and effortlessly weave hooks into the thick, doom-laden sound. The two guitarists seem to have a knack for soft, broken-chord clean sections, adding a multi-dimensionality into the sound. Bass-wise, there are plenty of killer licks lurking beneath with a seriously thunderous tone. The drumming is also fantastic, faithfully controlling the beat and guiding the tempo up and down as the song requires. With a real Northern gloom hanging over the record, it's very melodic and easy to dive into for doom fans. However, those memorable hooks and occasional grittier sections give the record its character and individuality - and keep you coming back.

9/10

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MN