Finnish death metal heavyweights Wolfheart are on a roll with the follow-up E.P., Draconian Darkness II, to the landmark Draconian Darkness release of 2024. With seven full-length albums under their belt dating back to 2013, their melodic death metal journey has captivated listeners with their trademark vocals and talented musicianship. Vocalist and founder Tuomas Saukkonen continues to craft a vision of northern storytelling within a blackened melodic metal soundscape.

The E.P. begins with a new track, ‘Carnivore’—a heavy, dark track that emits an infectious chug. Vocally, this song grabs the listener, and musically, it creates a massive sound of biblical proportions. ‘Forefathers’ is another new song that continues the melodic assault. The death metal chug mixed with an almost classical sound showcases Saukkonen’s heavy, dark vocals. This is a killer track and would be an awesome addition to a live set. ‘Burning Sky’ (live) is a fantastic example of the band’s talent in a live setting. Being one of my favourite songs off their last album, this is a treat for the senses. The super clean sound unleashes live ferocity. What a fantastic performance—on my headphones, this sounds so amazing.

‘The Gale’ (acoustic), another wicked song from Draconian Darkness (2024), may be scaled down from the original but somehow retains the heavy, dark vibe, creating a more organic soundscape. It’s another excellent example of the band’s diversity. The final track, ‘Grave’ (orchestral), redefines what heavy is, crafting a listening experience that rivals any orchestral cinema score. I was honestly shocked to hear melodic death metal reimagined as a classical score. Again, this works so well, and I kept playing the original and this back to back. The E.P. is a riveting endeavour that breaks all boundaries, adding strength and depth to their 2024 release.

Release Date: September 19th, 2025
Reigning Phoenix Music
Reviewed By: Jim Harrison 
Review Score: 8.5