Prepare to be engulfed by the icy fury of this Norwegian Black Metal horde as their debut album storms into the metal scene.
Forged in the icy depths of Norway back in 2023, the ruthless Black Metal horde known as Helvitnir is unleashing upon humanity their highly anticipated debut album, titled Wolves of the Underworld. Paying homage to the cold, primal energy of their predecessors while pushing boundaries, introducing dynamic shifts, melodic textures, and a powerful sense of narrative, the band currently formed of Hellcommander Vargblod on vocals and bass, Ihizahg and Bjarkan on the guitars, and Hellhammer on drums is on absolute fire throughout their entire debut offering, a brutal and evocative work that promises to leave an indelible mark on the Black Metal landscape that will surely position the band as torchbearers of the genre’s next chapter.
The opening aria Throes Of Transformation sounds as infernal as Norwegian Black Metal can be, with Hellhammer already showing his dexterity and passion for the dark art behind his drums, and the winds of violent and evil Black Metal keep howling in Black Flame Triad, with Ihizahg and Bjarkan firing razor-edged riffs for our total delight. Helvitnir, the song that carries the name of the band, couldn’t have sounded more infernal, with Hellcommander Vargblod leading his horde with his demonic roars and thunderous bass; whereas Hellhammer keeps pounding his drums in the name of darkness in Void Of Emptiness, another classic Black Metal extravaganza where Hellcommander Vargblod vociferates like a true demon until the very last second.
There’s no sign of the band slowing down or sounding less caustic or demonic, offering our putrid ears Imagery Of Deceit, with Hellcommander Vargblod gnarling rabidly during the song’s unrelenting four minutes, followed by Odinsbane, the weirdest of all songs, where the Doom Metal elements don’t work as expected, in special its background keys. Then back to a much stronger, more visceral sonority we have Dread Biter, a song that reeks of Norwegian Black Metal thanks to the scorching, piercing guitar lines by Ihizahg and Bjarkan, and this unstoppable Norwegian horde will crush us all once again with Helheim’s Throne, a demolishing metal hymn showcasing the unrelenting drumming by Hellhammer. Lastly, of course the album ends like it started, with a fulminating onrush of Black Metal titled Draugr, spearheaded by the scorching riffs by Ihizahg and Bjarkan, before all fades into the void.
Prepare to be engulfed by the icy fury of Helvitnir as Wolves of the Underworld storms into the metal scene, a sonic journey through bitterly cold wastelands and infernal depths, where every track resonates with a visceral, unrelenting energy. Hence, you can join this amazing Norwegian horde on Facebook and on Instagram, stream their sulfurous music on YouTube and on Spotify, and of course grab a copy of the fiery Wolves of the Underworld from Dusktone’s BandCamp or webstore, or simply by clicking HERE. In the end, Helvitnir are definitely a force to be reckoned in the world of extreme music, and Wolves of the Underworld masterfully depicts what they’re capable of in the foreseeable future.
Best moments of the album: Throes Of Transformation, Helvitnir and Dread Biter.
Worst moments of the album: Odinsbane.
Released in 2025 Dusktone
Track listing
1. Throes Of Transformation 5:01
2. Black Flame Triad 4:46
3. Helvitnir 4:36
4. Void Of Emptiness 5:18
5. Imagery Of Deceit 3:50
6. Odinsbane 4:59
7. Dread Biter 5:17
8. Helheim’s Throne 4:24
9. Draugr 4:12
Band members
Hellcommander Vargblod – vocals, bass
Ihizahg – guitars
Bjarkan – guitars
Hellhammer – drums