Wolvhammer Getting Ready to Record New Album, Expect Barbaric Rage

It's no secret that it's f---ing cold in Minneapolis. That deep freeze feeds the ire of a band like Wolvhammer, who've been together just under a year. But their neophyte status in the U.S. black metal scene doesn't prevent them from making grim, life-ending, blood-chilling music inspired by Bathory, Celtic Frost and Motörhead. That, coupled with the band's disdain for capitalism and authority, make Wolvhammer ripe for the picking for extreme metallers.

The band is currently readying its debut, 'The Black Marketeers of World War III' for Init Records, which it will record in April. Guitarist/vocalist R.M., who claimed he and his mates are "skilled connoisseurs in only the finest of substance abuse and self-medication," said, "We are in pre-production for the new album as we speak and are working on the demos in our studio in Minneapolis before we go to Chicago to record the album with Sanford Parker."

Needless to say, R.M. is looking forward to laying it down. "The new material is very brutal and is a more matured sound. We delve into some different atmospheres and textures. It still has the power chord, crust punk Wolvhammer feel, but we are also incorporating some very depressing melodic tones and darkwave structure that will really throw some people off. With A.S. joining the band, we can finally try these new things out and take the band into directions that were not possible as a three-piece. The two guitars are really filling out the sound of the band."

There's definitely feral music that's more violent than an 18-car pile up on a major freeway on the 'Rich With Blood' and 'Dawn of the 4th' EPs. The band isn't interested in "bulls--- Satanism or sensationalism" that often defines crusted-over, U.S. black metal bands. Instead, they're honest about their disdain for religion, politics, herd mentalities and other authoritarian concepts.

Sure, this is a common theme for USBM, but Wolvhammer have their own spin on it. R.M. also commented, "I cannot speak on the behalf of USBM, but I believe many [black metal] musicians are going against the grain and status quo in the music industry, and more often than not, also share the individualism philosophy that goes hand in hand with the direction of the music. The messages and ideas do get through to the fans. Some fans just enjoy aggressive music and do not care about the beliefs of the bands, and some fans take the lyrics way too seriously."

Furthermore, he said, "When it comes down to it, we are not changing the world, nor do we care to do so. It's just music. Most of the fans can relate to hatred of the society around you and change does not seem possible through the cycling misfortune of government. Metal in general has always set the bar for not conforming to anyone or anything, the 'you against the world.'

"Robert Johnson used to sing about the devil, whiskey, jail, murder -- and our country has a rich history for rebellion. And it will continue to be said by many bands this year and beyond. In Wolvhammer, we believe in nothing. It's you alone and only you to depend on until your dying hours. We are disgusted with the greed and the evil qualities that develop from religions and politics. We witness the way the world crumbles from these establishments and what becomes of those who are sheep."

For 'Black Marketeers,' R.M. also laid out, "The lyrics follow more self-destructive behavior, a long-standing relationship with masochism and pain. [Drummer] H.R. and I collaborate on many lyrics, and some will move into fictitious concepts of war and plague."