There are occasional albums where even after repeated plays you're still not sure if it's genius or a pile of fetid dingo kidneys.....


I bought Celestite by Wolves in the Throne Room on reviews suggesting they were a black metal band heading towards prog.... Heading ??? this is so far out the other side you have to wonder what the reviewers were listening to.


Track names are unimportant as this is technically one long ambient piece of music. Everything appears to be played on synthesisers borrowed from Jean Michel Jarre in the 80's. The tracks also lack any percussion or drums but there is some flute and horns among the swirling ambience.


It's like listening to the intro from Shine on you Crazy Diamond  but the guitar never arrives or maybe a drone version of Tangerine Dream.  Occasionally some crashing guitar chords emerge such as in the delightfully named Initiation at Neudeg Alm but this only emphasises the glacial pace of the music...


Your enjoyment of this will depend on whether you have a need for melody or tune in your music or more likely your choice of recreational drug






As an aside I bought a two track BBC session from Wolves in the Throne Room recorded  in 2011 and its percussion heavy, guitar laden and with vocals borrowed straight from the Norwegian black metal scene. All of which makes Opeth's so called progression look pitiful in comparison....