Tuomas Saukkonen (along with our very own Vangelis Karzis, to be fair) is one of the most prolific musicians in metal today, constantly delivering new material through one of his many projects.
On September 19, Reigning Phoenix Music will release the new EP by the much-loved WOLFHEART, entitled “Draconian Darkness II.” As the title suggests, this EP serves a mini sequel to their last full-length album, “Draconian Darkness,” and features two brand new songs, an acoustic version of “The Gale,” an instrumental version of “Grave,” and a live version of “Burning Sky.” The last three are, of course, from “Draconian Darkness.”
The two fresh compositions preserve all the signature elements that fans love about WOLFHEART. “Carnivore,” with its mid-tempo rhythm, crushing riffs and epic passsages emerges as a dark and atmospheric anthem reflecting the dark side of humanity and our destructive behavior toward nature and other species. “Forefathers” has a similar aesthetic, with a clearly faster pace with commandingdrums that propel the song forward and set its intense mood. As for the three reimagined versions of already beloved songs from “Draconian Darkness,” I would highlight the instrumental version of “Grave,” which is the first song written for this album and laid the groundwork for all the rest. This new arrangement provides it with fresh identity and emotional reasonance, showcasing the band’s compositional depth.
Overall, “Draconian Darkness II” is an intriguing release, primarily tailored for devoted WOLFHEART fans who will no doubt want this EP in their collection. More than anything, it reaffirms what we already know: Saukkonen and his bandmates remain exceptional artists, continuing to expand the legacy of WOLFHEART with both strength and vision.
Kostas Boudoukos
- Carnivore
- Forefathers
- Burning Sky (Live)
- The Gale (Acoustic Version)
- Grave (Orchestral Version)
