Finland's WOLFHEART started out as a solo project, but eventually, Tuomas disbanded all of his other groups and now they are a full-time band. From Bandcamp, "The King marches on, telling the tale of the forest god with horns and pianos accompanying heavy guitar riffs and solos. "King of the North" is a true masterpiece of melodic death metal, crafted with loads of attention to detail and intricate mythology-driven storytelling - showcasing WOLFHEART at never before heard artistic levels." The album has nine songs.

"Skyforger" is the first. Charming but somber piano notes lead to the opening riff. It is heavy and powerful in scope. Backing choir vocals come in and the song takes a more ominous turn. Enter drums, harsh vocals and bass...the layers are amazing. Clean vocals augment the sound. "Ancestor" is a shorter song but with an aggressive intensity that doesn't let up from start to finish. The guitar work is very intricate and the ebb and flow of the music seems effortless. "Knell" opens with supporting symphonic elements. The composition is complex but also so easy on the ears, and I love the trade-off between harsh and clean vocals. The delicate piano notes amidst the more aggressive part of the song is exactly how you do it. "The King" is the seminal song on the album, bringing all of the various elements together in a tight synergy. The guitar harmonies in the chorus are graceful, potent, and dynamic.

"Cold Flame" leaves a trail of smoke behind the galloping drums, thick bass notes, and punishing rhythms. Cold can burn like fire, and it does here. "Headstones" has a slow and grinding competency that also features symphonic elements in support. Harmonic cleans combine with cold, dark harsh vocals in the chorus, pushing the layers deeper. "Fires of the Fallen" is a battle cry of sorts. Vikings gather old and young, to honor lost brothers. The feast is extravagant and the fires burn long after everyone has turned in. Look to the horizon at dawn, and you can still see their faces etched in the clouds. "Eternal Slumber" closes the album, and what a commanding closer it is indeed. The clean vocals are every bit as potent as the harsh ones here, and the guitar work is outstanding.

In a genre that is quickly growing old, WOLFHEART shows you how you keep your sound creative and cutting-edge with "King of the North." Tuomas brings you to the edge of your seat several times throughout the album with haunting and perilous sounds, only to rock you back with elegant and finespun melodies that get stuck in your heart. What this album has the most of is a fantastic balance of all of these elements, in a regal and majestic sound. Hail Odin and all the souls of the fallen!