Blood of the Wolf - The Declaration of War Eternal

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

A more death metal oriented approach this time around opposed to their last few releases. Definitely quality metal the whole way through! Vocals going good with the guitars. The axes are a good "crunch" tone to them hence the blackened death metal sound. Another likeable album for sure. Their songwriting is definitely still top notch. This album clocks in about 40 minutes. All the songs are likable. I especially like the harmonies it makes it more melodic sounding. Mike's vocals still low sounding which is prevalent on their previous releases as well! He's still maintaining the creative vents on the guitar.

The tempos vary some fast and furious and others a little more laid back. In any case, it was a quite diverse release. The energy is all there and the rhythms are impeccable. Mike is great at songwriting, Frank solid on the lead guitar and melodies. Overall, a great lineup not to mention compositions! These guys refuse to let up and just so you know, Christopher Grimes (Withering Soul) is on bass duties. This album could've been a little better produced which is why I took off some points. The music is what counts though and I thought this one a good one to crank up because it's so catchy!

The first few albums they were developing their own sound. As a Chicago band, they have a solid fan base. Other than BOTW, Cianide, Cardiac Arrest, Molder, Withering Soul are just some pretty admirable extreme acts. The scene is growing though and these guys are well versed! One of the most consistent old school Chicago acts are Cardiac Arrest. Koniglio started pretty early too with Rellik. Now, a defunct band these members have ventured into other bands BOTW being one of them.The overall aura to the band is a bit eerie hence their influences to the likes of Marduk and earlier Immortal.

I had to pre-order this because I was curious about the sound of this one. The sound is good, just like I said the production quality was a little sub-par. But the music is superb. These guys can go on for years! The energy is all there and the creativity as well! I like how they are more death metal focused on the songwriting approach, it turned out great! You can stream this, but show the band support by getting a physical copy of this one! It's well worth it. Even myself a veteran in music, I still think the sound quality is better with CD's as opposed to digital. Check this one out! (Death8699)

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions - 2022)
Score: 74

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/iv-the-declaration-of-war-eternal

Blood of the Wolf - I: Law of Retaliation

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Black, Angelcorpse

A lot of tremolo picking going on and kick of the double bass drum, seems unrelenting! The vocals filled with screams and deep throat by Koniglio, their frontman. This whole album is intense. I'd have to say I enjoyed the entire onslaught of death/black metal these guys dish out. Reminds me a little of Angelcorpse, Perdition Temple and Belphagor. Not everything, just similarities but Mike (ex-Rellik) is somewhat better than these, in an album's sense. This being the debut release, it simply kicks ass!! It's just so intense and the riffs are brilliant. Amazing work here from all respects.

These guys tear it up and it's amazing some of these riffs go on for minutes. I mean the tremolo picked high-end riff in addition to the main guitar. Simply flawless pieces of work. 35 minutes here isn't enough! Great cover too of Marduk's "With Satan and Victorious Weapons." One thing about the debut (which is fine by me) are the lack of lead guitar. However, I feel that they make up for that in their compositions. Most of the songs are with repeated tremolo picking. But what sets them apart from the bands that I've mentioned are the vocals and their own utterly unique sound.

The music may sound like vintage death/black metal with its own kick and juice mixed with it. There's nothing I'd change about this release. It's violent and unrelenting. What great musicianship by these guys, all of them! The double bass drum is highly needed, but can cause a slight headache upon repeated listens to! I would NOT change anything on here. In some instances, I've linked Mike's vocals to sound a bit like Glen Benton during the 'Once Upon the Cross' and 'Serpents of the Light' days, but not entirely. There's a resemblance yes, but Mike is in a league of his own.

The production quality for an independent recording is sublime. You won't find a better sound to it than on here. Everything is mixed well and all the instruments with precision. I'd say the best thing about the album is the music itself. Original, classic, technical and intense! When I heard this I though "MONUMENTAL", by far. If you download the albums I&II on Spotify, you'll get a taste of both CD's. I thought this one was stronger than their follow-up. But both are resoundingly good! Buy the album, you won't regret it! At least show support for fellow Chicago metal bands! (Death8699)

(Self - 2015)
Score: 80

https://bloodofthewolf.bandcamp.com/album/i-the-law-of-retaliation

Blood of the Wolf - Campaign of Extermination

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Black/Death

This is another balls-out release by the band! Totally heavy and annihilation. The music was a little bit better on the first album, but both are good full-length LP's. Pleasure listening to and writing about. Mike is full of hate on here (as well) and the songs are just brutal! A lot of tremolo picking dished out and angry music (to say the least!). It really is a close call as to what is better the first or second album. Both are almost inseparable. I don't believe any of these are really any better than each other. Upon repeated listens to, both kick serious ass! Amazing death/black metal that's unrelenting. Mike is one good songwriter! Another Chicago based band!

I'd say all tracks on here are good and clocking in about 35 minutes of music like their debut. It's not enough time, but it's still quite worth the time! I feel that after listening to both albums I and II, I'd say both deserve a perfect rating. I was just a little bit iffy on this one probably because I didn't listen to it close enough like I did on the first one! Both deserve perfect ratings in their scores because both are amazing. The first is a bit fast while this one is a little more experimental. It's heavy as fuck, too! I'm surprised that no one has giving any time in writing about this one. The first one yes and the EP but not this one. That makes me pause.

The production quality is brilliant, so the sound is top notch! All instruments mixed in well! There's nothing about this that I'd change. It's really a bad ass release. That's what prompted me to buy both albums independently as opposed to I and II together. I not only wanted to support the band but to support the music world. There are many songs on here that just are amazingly fast and brutal. I'm surprised once again that people haven't taken more notice to what this band has to offer musically. I'm glad I was able to be referred to them. Definitely a good referral! And to know that the frontman is still involved in the metal community!

I would have to conclude that the music on here is another MONUMENTAL one. The fact that they're death/black metal makes them versatile and unique. Angelcorpse would be proud of them for continuing a legacy of death/black metal that's totally one that dominates! This band is definitely up on the times and Mike is a great songwriter! I say that with utmost respect for him and the band. Buy this album on CD or download it. Show BOTW support by buying their music because this type of metal is only available in a certain amount of time. They are a band that's totally in a realm of their own. I'm glad I was album to get all three of their CD's. Own it! (Death8699)

(Self - 2018)
Score: 85

https://bloodofthewolf.bandcamp.com/album/ii-campaign-of-extermination-2

Blood of the Wolf - III: Blood Legend

http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death/Black, Morbid Angel

This is a bit more mild then their first two albums, but it's still good work! It's a little bit less than 20 minutes in length, but that doesn't take away from the glory of the EP. I'd say all 4 tracks hit home with me. They really know how to work hard and making some original death/black metal. It's all in your face killer! But yeah, all of these are going to pave the way to the next release. By far, they've been heading in the right direction since their debut. I don't think there's anything that I've heard from this band that isn't worthy of praise. The music is what is most captivating and intriguing. The songwriting is just amazing.

Mike was serious when he said that he's been doing good with the writing of these songs. I'd have to agree with him wholeheartedly. There isn't a song I've heard in his entire discography that I've disliked. Now they just need to keep up the pace. It'd be really great if they come out with a full length this year. If we have to wait, we wait. But the EP here is just a segue to probably another good LP. I would say that every riff on this EP is amazing. I think that the production quality here is amazing and the mixing well done, too. They really kick ass once again! Mike's vocals are deep and the riff-writing totally original.

I think that this band is filled with a long life and is totally original. The music is what hits home in every aspect. The low-end vocals just tear it up along with the guitars. Everything here slays! There is a little bit of diversity in the vocals but not much. When they change it up, it sounds good! The drums on here are sick too, fast and furious! They keep up with the guitar well. I'd venture to say that for an EP, this one does a lot of justice for the band. Tempos aren't always the same, but mostly they rip it up with fast blast beats and tremolo picking guitar work. Mike does a great job in the vocal duties.

If you haven't heard this and you're a metalhead, get it! It's a segue to the upcoming album (hopefully soon). I got this on CD, but it is available on Bandcamp and possibly YouTube. I liked all 4 tracks. They just don't end with fury, they are fueled with might! These guys just blew me away when I first heard this. Then checking out albums I&II I though was a good idea. it's good to get all of their material because it's fast, furious and filled with rage. These guys are unrelenting and they don't give up on the intensity. Wish I could see them perform in the some near future if that'll ever be possible again. Get this! (Death8699)

(Horror Pain Gore Death Productions - 2019)
Score: 80

https://hpgd.bandcamp.com/album/iii-blood-legend