WOLF KING is a blackened hardcore band from the Bay Area, California. "The Path Of Wraith," is their third full length album. I know very little about blackened hardcore (I've  only reviewed a handful of other bands in this style)and even less about regular old hardcore but after listening to WOLF KING's latest album "The Path of Wrath," I can say with certainly the two styles mixing together is pretty badass. The overall sound definitely leans towards black metal. I haven't heard their previous albums yet but from my research this is their most extreme and blackened album yet. However, there is quite a bit doom/sludge leanings as well.

The guitars and bass are the album's highlights. They provide a ton of different riffs that are dark and gritty like black metal should be but that youthful, energetic feel of hardcore. "River of Light" opens up the album with the guitars immediately laying down a  blanket of shadows.  A slow groove settles as the string assault continues. This one has a doom/sludge feel to and the guitars sound ten miles wide. Although this track is just an intro, it does its job well by setting up the next track.

That track, "Messenger of Death," is an abrasive burst of blackened energy. The riffs are on point and the song has a decent flow that brings each note to the next without compromising any of the intensity. This is especially important as they slow down the tempo (absolutely crushing by the way) but keep it a very seamless experience. "Triumph of the Slain" is immediately a whiplash inducing song. The beat is just perfect for throwing someone through  a plate glass window or slamming a face into the ground during a mosh pit. I suppose that's the hardcore part of them but the sudden bursts of speed and pure evil guitar tone speaks to the blackened soul into us all.

"The Oath" mixes it up with nicely done clean guitars and a worthy build up—and the atmospheric drums nail the mood. Pure black metal fury follows. The break in the song around the halfway point is a nice as well and the ending of the song is one sinister riff after another. The band goes with a death metal intensity for "Holy Serpent." The vocals are demonic and vomited forth from an unfathomable abyss. Musically it rides the line between black and death, using the balance like a blade that cuts depths unknown.

The last track, "Eternal Hunter," contains a certain darkness that is engrossing and inescapable. The moments of speed that bridges these slower pieces together keep the momentum up while offering contrast and variety within. WOLF KING's "The Path of Wrath" surprised the hell out of me and makes me hungry for their next release. Those who like black metal need this but also those looking to get into the genre. Highly recommended.