Wolves at the Gate was at their peak when they released Eulogies a few months ago. They're popularity had never been higher since then. And now, with these new fans, we are given a compilation of all their Christmas songs into one EP entitled Lowborn.
Along with wrapping together three already released tracks, we receive two new ones, Dark Cold Night, and O Holy Night. (if you havent noticed everyone, it’s night time!)
Lowborn, altogether, is a well made, rounded out EP, with very few flaws. One flaw could be O Holy Night, which stays acoustic, and doesn’t scream at all, with almost five minutes length. Another one could how strangely and abruptly The King closes out the record. But, in the long run, a Christmas Ep doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’, right?
The title track, released last year, kicks off this record with an aggressive dual guitar riff. The ‘Lowborn’ is meant to be Jesus, born in a manger (meaning he was ‘lowborn’). It’s nothing but impressive how they made these lyrics work into a post-harcore song (Hear the song of the angels/ Glory lays in a manger/ Fear not the advent of the Great I am/ Humble he comes to the world/ As a lamb) With a sudden low scream of the title the song is then finished, leading into the first new song, Dark Cold Night.
Dark Cold Night is a slower song, however still heavy, and is carried by vocals. It makes use of the violin, which is apparent from the beginning. Instrumentals, compared to all other Wolves at the Gate songs, are not very present here. To some, it’s a chore to get through the first verse, with the growl guy yelling his lines with no backing instrumentals. But it is short lived, and transitions to one of the band’s best choruses. And with an ending somewhat similar to Peace That Starts the War, we are brought into the other new song, O Holy Night.
O Holy Night is an inoffensive ballad, with the clean vocalist the only one singing through the whole song. It is just the classic hymn backed by soft acoustics, which, although well made, is not very much like Wolves at the Gate. Fortunately, Come Thou Long Expected Jesus, the single from their record lable’s Christmas compilation, brings a more fun rendition of a hymn. They do include screams and guitar riffs, and it’s just fun.
Last but certainly not least, we have The King. This song hasn’t had very much recognition. Originally, it was released in 2012 as a standalone single, but was placed in the background behind the release of Captors. It was on Midnight Clear, [Solid State Christmas Compilation] but was also forgotten because of Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. The King is a confusing track. Right as you get the melody of a riff down in your brain, you get a transition to something completely different. Which makes it all the more enjoyable. It then abruptly ends with a short gentle piano tune, which ends the record.
All in all, Wolves at the Gate’s newest Christmas offering is an all around well made EP that will have you coming back for numerous relistens.
