The new MASTODON and GHOST collaboration, "IV: Come the Dark" was released on Dec. 10 on Blooddawn Productions. Featuring uninteresting riffs and insipid vocals, the two bands blend their sound of Sludge and soft Metal into one, drawn-out record.

DEATH WOLF released their fourth album with the indication that it was their fourth album in the very title, a true homage to their lack of originality and creativity. While the band does achieve moments of interesting riffing and matured instrumentation, these moments are scarce. Playing modern-styled Heavy Metal with a Blackened feeling, "IV: Come the Dark" is not as interesting as it sounds.

The first two songs on the record are probably the only two that should never have started the album in the first place. Being dull, dragging modern Metal songs with typical song structures, they do not hook the listener whatsoever unless said listener is keen on finding a band that takes songwriting tips from GHOST. And that is not a compliment.

The songs are plagued with poor songwriting, as they religiously follow the chorus-verse-chorus style. This is not a bad style, as most bands pull it off effectively. However, since Death Wolf neglects the use of interesting riffs, atmosphere or anything else outside of basic riffing, the songs come off as repetitive. No one needs to hear these riffs or verses over again because if they are heard once, there is no reason to hear them again.

There is one benefit to these opening tracks: they make the rest of the album seem much better. Obviously, that was not the band's intention, but "Funeral Pyre" as a standalone song is nothing special, but it sounds very good following "The Sword." Track five of the record has the first riff that seems to be thought-out and not plagued by vocals. In fact, this track is very well-written compared to previous tracks. After this, the majority of the songs all have at least one aspect that makes them redeemable.

The MASTODON influence comes with "The Executioners Song." It is not Progressive like the Sludge Metal band, but it does have the same feeling. With hints of Doom Metal in the main riff, they mix with the reverb-saturated vocals to create MASTODON-like atmosphere. The track is one of the better ones on the album because of its main riff and even strong songwriting.

A large issue with this record lies in its structure. While the album has an easy flow because the tracks get more interesting towards the end, there is no hook at the beginning of the record. Listening to the album, it became clear that "Into the Woods" would have served as an interesting introduction to the record. Although it does not have that "beginning of an album" feel at first, it quickly adapts, making it an exception.

As a matter of fact, just moving "Into the Woods" to the front would have solved the structure. Then, there would be more of a hook (especially if a good, strong track followed it), and there would be a more cohesive second half to the record. Of the last three tracks, the only "real" song is "Iron & Flame" and the other two act as interludes and outros. Maybe the band meant for this, and it's not like the album is worse because of the placement of one track. It's a mere suggestion. However, the problem of not having a hook would be solved.

With uninspired riffs, poor structure, crippling songwriting choices and vocals that seem to cover entire songs at times, Death Wolf has released a very disappointing record. The album covers modernized Heavy Metal with a Blackened blanket, but it does little to further the album from its soft roots. It is as effective as it is heavy, and it isn't even that.