The second full length from these American black metallers lives up to their feral and deadly-sounding name; each of the four songs on this disc stalk like the canine predator of the band's name. The group refine the techniques they developed on their first album; the mixture of classic black metal with other, gentler influences comes together wonderfully this time.
Two Hunters is a much stronger beast than the band's first album. While I enjoyed their debut parts of it were a little too melodramatic for me. This is not the case here. Opening with the genuinely surprising "Dea Artio," a slow and almost ambient exploration in mood, it is obvious from the start that Wolves in the Throne Room are not a one-trick pony. I could listen to a whole album in this style but like a razor blade through flesh the next song rips through the delicate mood of "Dea Artio."
The bulk of this album is the same sort of black metal that the group displayed on their previous release. Solid, crushing drumming with a twin guitar attack that veers from sand blasts of musical assault to more complex melodic sections with nods to classic metal like Iron Maiden and in part to folk music in general. This is especially apparent in the final section of "I Will Lay Down My Bones Among The Rocks and Roots" with its beautiful interlude before the final storm of guitars. "Cleansing" begins with a gentle bass line and vocal harmonies care of Jessica Kinney; the type of thing on Diadem of 12 Stars that seemed a little cheesy to my ears. However, this time around they have perfected the balance between heaviness and drama. This is the sort of album that I wished for.
Southern Lord's black metal releases are hit or miss; for every good one there are a couple of absolute stinkers. Two Hunters is one tick in the right column; Wolves in the Throne Room are worth a dozen boring Burzum-by-numbers. They may not be pushing the genre's boundaries in any significant way but within those boundaries they are creating some stunning music. As much as I prize innovation, there is a lot to be said for taking an almost dead formula and squeezing a gem out of it.
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