ORLOK "The Dark Knell" LP

WEREWOLF RECORDS is proud to present ORLOK's highly anticipated second album, The Dark Knell, on CD, vinyl LP formats. Formed in Lappeenranta, Finland, back in 2008, ORLOK operates as a solo endeavor for the prolific Grav Werwolf. While listeners might immediately recognize him from his monumental work with SATANIC WARMASTER, GRIEVE, THE TRUE WERWOLF, and his past contributions to HORNA, this particular project serves an entirely different artistic purpose.

While SATANIC WARMASTER played a crucial role in defining the melodic majesty of the Finnish black metal sound, ORLOK acts as a vessel for the most primal, unpolished expressions of the genre. The music is deliberately minimalistic, regressive, and utterly raw. It draws heavy inspiration from the infamous Les Legions Noires movement, echoing the unsettling atmospheres of MUTIILATION and VLAD TEPES, while also channeling the grim spirit of Finnish pioneers like WARLOGHE.

On The Dark Knell, the sonic landscape is even grittier and more abrasive than the sound found on the debut album, Black Funeral Holocaust. The lo-fi production initially masks the distinctive vocal shrieks, but as the listener acclimatizes to the murk, the brilliance of the performance becomes undeniable. The mastermind behind the music has always possessed a unique talent for writing deeply infectious melodies, and that skill shines through the grime. Tracks like "Strigoi Metal Holocaust", "Vampirized", and "Demons Of Darkness" are packed with riffs that burrow right under the skin, creating a beautifully uncomfortable listening experience. These piercing guitar lines are draped over thundering percussion and distant, distorted vocals that conjure an atmosphere of absolute dread.

The sense of unease is only heightened by the brilliant use of tormented, clean background vocals on standout tracks like "Imperial Grail Of Satan" and "Catafalque". Every musical choice aligns perfectly with the lyrical themes of satanism and vampirism, which are vividly represented by the striking cover art featuring a woman bathing in blood.

With ORLOK, Graf Werwolf strips black metal down to its absolute bare bones. The Dark Knell stands as a fascinating departure from his more majestic works, offering a pure, unrelenting tribute to the rawest underground sounds of the late nineties. While the extreme lo-fi production requires a dedicated ear, those who worship black metal in its most unfiltered, unsettling, and authentic form will find this album to be an absolute triumph.

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