I already talked about Tuomas Saukkonen, but this is not a solo project. From the beginning it was a new band and they show it with this new release. ‘Draconian Darkness’ is really a group effort. Bursting out with ‘Ancient Cold’  Saukkonen unleashes out a prehistoric grunt that lets us now this will not be an album full of ballads. Clean parts are provided by Lauri Silvonen. Remember I said group effort. Further on, we have the more melancholic and melodic song ‘Evenfall’ giving us some epic duo vocal work between Saukkonen and Silvonen. The latter became more prominent after his vocal work on the epic acoustic version of ‘Aeon Of Cold.’ ‘Burning Sky’ is filled with the sound of Wolfheart, the grunts of Saukkonen, the epic riffs and the pounding drums included. You feel the Finnish cold entering your living room. ‘Death Leads The Way’ is yet again a strong ‘Wolfheart’ release with an epic solo in between.

‘Scion Of The Flame’ is the prelude of a new chapter in the release with orchestrated arrangments and the sweet and clean voice of Silvonen assisted by the grunts of Saukkonen giving this an epic feel. ‘Grave’ has also his place in this new chapter when the piano kicks in resulted in the beginning together with the orchestrated arrangments hidden in between. Melodic ground work and melancholic sweetness goes hand in hand. ‘Throne Of Bones’ builds up towards ‘Trial By Fire’ that picks up his pace, not knowing if we ever going to see the light of day, but with this in the background I don’t mind it at all. Scream it out if you will “TRIAL BY FIIRREEE!!!” But the best is yet to come with ‘The Gale’ that start off with an acoustic intro, followed by the sweet, clean voice of Silvonen. ‘The Gale’ is the end of this story.

Wolfheart has never given us a bad release. I am looking forward to what our Finnish worker bee will give us next. A new Before The Dawn ? Or maybe Dawn Of Solace or could it be a new Wolfheart album. I don’t mind. I am ready. Are you?

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