Album Rating: 4.0

I definitely need to revisit the Ash Borer debut. I haven't heard it in years and I think I would have an even greater appreciation of it now. It was something I listened to when I was first getting into black metal.



There is definitely a difference between a lo-fi drum sound, and a poorly mixed one. Paysage D'Hivers drum sound is absurd sounding but it fits great in the atmosphere of the music. However, I didn't really take issue with the drums on this record, in fact, I didn't really take issue with any one instrument at all. When given time to breathe with little interference, such as the guitars on the intro to Serpent's Eye or the drums on Palace of the Moon, I thought they sounded great. I just think at certain points in the record the band is firing on all cylinders and little details are lost due to the mix, to my ear at least. I also notice an odd difference in quality between tracks, but maybe that is just me. I listened multiple times on different headphones and on different platforms and certain parts of Old Ones and Angrboda just sounded a bit off.



I have to disagree Wizard. I think this is a big step up in quality from Lineage, which I feel like aside from Thuja Magus Imperium and Prayer of Transformation had a lot of tracks that sort of blended together and didn't go anywhere. These songs are distinct and well written in my opinion, if a bit similar in structure as I said in my review. Did you have a similar opinion on Celestial Lineage?

haven't listened to these guys since two hunters. where can I spin this?

good review.

Album Rating: 4.5

Streaming on Bandcamp bro.

Album Rating: 3.0 | Sound Off

Heathen make sure you listen to their debut LP because that's what I meant, not their debut in general (here is a link: https://ashborer.bandcamp.com/album/ash-borer). And yeah zaruyache is right it is a remastered version of the cassette which did in fact sound like shit. If you look songs from this album up on YT theyre mostly old uploads with the cassette production.



As for celestial lineage, I just re-listened to it again tonight due to the amount of people saying it was a (relatively) poor effort from WITTR compared to the rest of their stuff. I honestly love it. Its not really what I would consider a "black metal" album, its pretty experimental, has a lot of drone/doom influence, idk its just weird and great for me. Nathan's vocals were never better than on CL. Thuja is a great song that is very synth and keyboard driven, along with slow paced tremolo picked melodies. Subterranean Initiation starts off with maybe my least favorite part of the whole album but quickly descends into epicenes with one of their greatest buildups/climaxes in their discography. The drumming on this is spectacular, particularly at the whole buildup starting at 2:40ish. Astral Blood also starts off pretty aggressively, and has a nice uplifting beginning riff to it. Again it has amazing drumming throughout the entire song, particularly the end of the song after the slow interlude in the middle. Prayer of Transformation is a very unique endeavor by them, lots of drone influence here. Its a nice closure and very different from what WITTR usually closes with. Vocals are particularly impressive on it, especially as the song comes to an end. So much emotion.



So my positives for CL are



- The awesome drumming carries several songs, great drum sound too. Sounds very organic and natural rather than mechanical/triggered/flat

- Vocals are incredible, the best performance Nathan has ever given

- I like how much the synths stream over top of the guitars overpowering them at some points and driving the melodies. In the rest of the work synths were usually on their own or in the background of the guitars/drumming.



I don't even know what i'd put for negatives. I guess I'm not a fan of a lot of the lyrics. They feel like something a middle schooler could come up with, rather than something very poetic and moving. Prayer of Transformation had some good lyrics though.



I could never put Thrice Woven above CL. I think yall need to give CL another listen >.< Then again, its been out long enough I'm sure you've all listened to it plenty and already have a final opinion on it. I seem to be in the minority in liking it as much as their other stuff.

Album Rating: 4.5

Vocals are incredible, the best performance Nathan has ever give

Album Rating: 4.0

I've never listened to these guys with full attention outside of just random fuck it type of listening which means I didn't retain it well. If I am to check this album out, would it be right to start with this? Would starting here possibly be the wrong interpretation?

Album Rating: 4.5

Nah bro you could start here if you wanted and just work backwards. I would suggest starting at the debut and going in order but you can do it either way.

Album Rating: 4.0

I knew you were referring to the debut LP, I will be for sure giving it another listen, thank you.



As for Celestial Lineage, I definitely like the record as well. I do think this is a stronger effort though. Prayer of Transformation is one of my favorite Wolves songs and Thuja Magus Imperium is awesome as well, I just feel that Thrice is overall more consistent.

Album Rating: 4.0

Sounds good Hawks, I might start here just to catch up on 2017 albums then do their discography because this band always interested me.

Album Rating: 2.5

How does this stack up to their other albums for people?

Album Rating: 4.5

It seems to be getting a love it or hate it type of reaction tbh. This is top 2-3 WITTR for me, but others think it sucks so you just gotta see for yourself. m/

Album Rating: 2.5

Nice, jamming now

Album Rating: 4.0

I would say this is probably my second favorite after Two Hunters. But I'm not as into Diadem as most fans seem to be.

diadem is my shiiit

Album Rating: 4.5

Diadem > Thrice = Cascade > Hunters > Celestite > Celestial

haven't checked this yet but mine is prob --

diadem > cascade > CL = TH > celestite

Album Rating: 4.0

Really interesting seeing Hunters as like 3rd/4th best considering it's the highest rated avg wise on the site. I know that doesn't always mean it's the best but usually the higher rated albums tend to me most loved by people. Diadem is at a 4 though so it's not like I'm not noticing that

ya hunters is good. used to be higher for me but ehh nowadays it sorta bores me.

Album Rating: 4.5

Two Hunters rules, but yeah this, Diadem, and Black Cascade are def all above it for me. Been jamming this one nonstop since last night.

havent jammed this band in years but ill give it a shot for my mon Hawks.. Been a real one since day 1.