Originally released on CD in 2023, Darkness Shall Rise have the pleasure of now making ULVDALIR`s album Ancient Throne of Unholy Ingria available on LP and cassette formats too. Although already launched in 2001, Russian based ULVDALIR took their time honing their craft, until eventually bursting onto the scene with their first full-length effort in 2008. Since then, main-man and only constant member I.K. Winterheart aided by a multitude of changing musicians managed to unleash altogether five albums besides a considerable number of EPs and Splits. Clocking in at nearly 45 minutes Ancient Throne of Unholy Ingria is made up of 8 tracks dedicated to holding high the banner of pure Black Metal. Instead of attempting to push the genre`s boundaries by adding novelty, ULVDALIR deliberately chose to remain within the confines of traditional Black Metal. The riff-driven tracks which, for the most part, oscillate between mid and fast tempos boast a rather clean production without sounding too sterile. While the songs` core is built upon riffs reminiscent of classic DARKTHRONE, SATYRICON or JUDAS ISCARIOT, plenty of old-school Metal à la CELTIC FROST crept into the compositions too, making Ancient Throne of Unholy Ingria a sonically varied affair. The vocals of the album deserve a special mention; Although the album`s titles and lyrics are printed in English, they are entirely narrated in ULVDALIR`s native Russian. This and the fact that I.K. Winterheart delivered his vocals in an unusually grim and ferocious manner – instead of the typical high-pitched screams he opted for a rather low and raspy tone – help set ULVDALIR apart.
