Two Hundred Wolves - The Hold (2021)

One of the best parts of the gig of reviewing music for this site is that I get to enjoy countless amounts of music, particularly the submissions from up-and-coming bands. Today we have one killer gem that made its way into my inbox: Two Hundred Wolves and their release “The Hold”. With a style similar to Jess and the Ancient Ones and Madder Mortem but with a fuzzier and jazzier side, this release delivers 44 minutes of captivating music led by the sultry vocals of Anna Matveinen.

Opening with the jazzy/proggy “Visceral Redemption”, the first impression the band makes is one of a highly original sound perfectly fronted by a versatile singer. We like all kinds of music, and this band certainly has a bit of everything, from post rock to occult rock/metal influences, creating tracks like “Oblivion”, the dynamic “Absolute Bearing”, and the highly emotive “Event Horizon”. We are huge fans of deep and unique female voices, and the band’s vocalist definitely stands out from the rest.

The second half of the album has a darker and different vibe, with pieces like “The Transfiguration” and “Threads” being more introspective and melancholic. While the catchy “Dream Sequence” perfectly balances hypnotic vocals and crafty guitar elements, the band effortlessly changes between styles while crafting a very unique and diverse signature sound.

Closing with the cathartic “The Lawfulness Seems Without Ending”, we are left quite satisfied by this very engaging and diverse release. As an album we probably would have never found on our own, we are glad that we found Two Hundred Wolves. The band’s sound is quite elaborate and yet straightforward, making each track unique and enjoyable while having good replay value as we keep discovering new things with each spin. If you like something less Metal and more Occult Rock with jazz/blues influences, be sure to check out “The Hold”.

Label: Ichorous Music

Release: October 15th, 2021

Genre: Alternative/Occult Rock/Metal

Country: Finland