Wolves in the Throne Room music allows the listener to enter the mystical realm of darkness and offers a trance-induced experience of oneness with nature its music emphasizes atmospheric and symphonic black metal to create lofty sonic qualities. In this context, “Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge” reflects the profound nature of the band and demonstrates a unique ability to transcend beyond the boundaries. The EP opens up with a seven-minute epic track “Beholden to Clan” which is perhaps one of their best songs ever made, starting with the icy synth dancing with the reverb-heavy riffs and the hissing vocals and guitarist Nathan Weaver.

“Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge” continues in the vein of the Wolves in the Throne Room’s trademark sound in the atmospheric spectrum of black metal. The performance is considered a milestone for the trio, who have expressed their passion for such music. Be it evocative and grandeur or something unearthly, the music communes with the forests and the ancient mountains, spirits, and binding these elements into a flawless work of art.

Even though the latest offering is on par with the previous albums “Thrice Woven” and “Primordial Arcana”, the cadence of the song is binding and rather somber and interwoven with heavy drums, scathing tremolos picked riffs, and a rich sonic atmosphere. Wolves in the Throne Room made some necessary adjustments to the sound of the instruments, and you can notice the tight grip on the hypnotic guitar work, including the throbbing drums of Cedar Serpent AKA Aaron Weaver. The tone of the rhythm guitar is melancholic and conveys a sense of awe with the echo of the mystical folk aura that surrounds the following song “Twin Mouthed Spring”.

Shimmering guitar strings are awash with polyphonic synth and ghastly vocals of guitarist Kody Keyworth setting up the somber mood of the dark cascading riffs. The eruption of the blasting drums bursts throughout the blazing tremolos, creating a mysterious and brooding atmosphere in a deep cacophony of soft synth passages. The gloomy tone of the guitars adds a subtle touch to the effulgence to the hypnotic effect of the synth, and harsh rasping vocals that enhance the aura of the music. “Crypt of Ancestral Knowledge” shows how the trio can craft beautiful pieces of atmospheric and majestic black metal with an enriched composition that works wonders.

The trio once again expands their gamut which has an inspiring beauty, and thematic quality. And many cinematic moments are showcased in the instrumental five-minute track “Initiates of the White Hart” which is a counterpart to the original song “Spirit of Lightning” and was featured on the previous album “Primordial Arcana”. The sonic installation of this song evokes the art of folk and ancient Celtic music in a rather experimental direction but also reflects the muse of exploring industrial soundscapes with the use of other instruments such as the Bodhrán and tribal drums.

The EP is concluded with a short ambient track “Crown of Stone” showing a leap of diversity to combine the ambient sounds of nature with a unique flair. And to hypnotize the listener with the nuances of the industrial soundscapes and the backdrop of the soul-appeasing synth and electronic passages that transport you through the vast realms of the mystical forest surrounded by marvelous rivers and towering mountains.

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