Wolves in the Throne Room

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Wolves in the Throne Room is an American ambient black metal band based in Olympia, Washington. Their sound is influenced by Scandinavian black metal, doom metal, dark ambient, crust punk, and folk music.^{[citation needed]} The band has described their sound as “purifying black metal” or “transformative black metal”, although in interviews the band has shown an unwillingness to be restricted by any musical label.^{[citation needed]}

Biography

In an interview, Nathan Weaver says that he conceived the vision for the band and wrote the first two songs “Wolves in the Throne Room” and “Black Tea” at an Earth First! rendezvous in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in 2002. The band has often performed outdoors and has expressed support for radical environmentalism.^[1]

The band was formed during April 2003 when brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver bought an old farmstead called Calliope, which had previously been rented by students of the nearby Evergreen State College, on the outskirts of Olympia, WA. They then started working on the music that would become the 2004 Demo. Afterwards, Rich Corle joined the band and contributed to what is still the band's current sound. In interviews Aaron states that it was the brothers’ goal to create a musical expression of an expanding consciousness that linked the mythic and apocalyptic visions of black metal with “life-changing actions on the physical plane”.^{[citation needed]} Nathan Weaver managed an all ages art and performance space in Olympia called Manium.^[2] It was shut down by the City of Olympia in 2007 for safety violations, resulting in a great deal of local protest and controversy.^[3][4]

In mid 2004, guitarist-vocalist Nick Paul joined the band and the group recorded the 2004 Demo. This recording featured a stronger crust punk and thrash metal influence^{[citation needed]}.

Nick Paul left the band amicably in late 2004. The addition of vocalist and guitarist Richard Dahlen solidified the band’s line-up. The band went on to record the 2005 Demo, and the Diadem of 12 Stars and Two Hunters albums.

Wolves in the Throne Room has toured the west coast of the United States extensively. In the fall of 2007, the band toured the continental United States. In 2008 the band played on the 13th edition of the Roadburn festival in The Netherlands followed by a 2009 appearance at the French HellFest.

Ideology

The band is well known for their eco-spiritual vision, which they consider to be a step beyond the vision offered by satanic, fascistic and nihilistic black metal.^{[citation needed]} They often state that traditional black metal should be seen as a jumping-off point in a process of continual spiritual growth, and not an end unto itself.^{[citation needed]}

Aaron and his wife farm the land at Calliope, the band’s stronghold. Aaron has often expressed interest in biodynamic agriculture and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner.^{[citation needed]}

Members

• Nathan Weaver - guitar, vocals
• Aaron Weaver - drums
• Will Lindsay - guitar, vocals, bass on Black Cascade

Live bass guitar:

• Ross Sewage
• Oscar Sparbel

Former Members:

• Richard Dahlin - guitar on 2005 Demo, Diadem of 12 stars, and Two Hunters
• Nick Paul - guitar on 2004 demo

Discography

Studio albums

• Diadem of 12 Stars (2006)
• Two Hunters (2007)
• Black Cascade (2009)

Demos

• Wolves in the Throne Room (2004)
• Demo (2005)

EPs

• Malevolent Grain (2009)

Live albums

• Live at Roadburn 2008 (2008)

References

1. ^ Erik Davis. "Deep Eco-Metal". http://www.slate.com/id/2177883/pagenum/2. Retrieved 2008-02-04. 
2. ^ http://olyblog.net/olympia-scene-report-mrr-293
3. ^ http://www.weeklyvolcano.com/article/for_print/1117/
4. ^ http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/225468.html

External links

• Wolves in the Throne Room at MySpace
• Wolves in the Throne Room at Southern Lord Records
• Official Site

Interviews

• Interview (2006) by Bradley Smith on Nocturnal Cult Magazine
• Interview (2007) by Brandon Stosuy on Pitchfork Media

Live Photos

• Live In New York City 2009