Wolves in the Throne Room

Wolves in the Throne Room (aka WITTR) are a black metal band with strong ambient influences. Their music is considerably less aggressive. They operate at a slower pace and with a strong melodic core while still projecting a sense of dread. There is more texture to their sound with the use of synths, etc., the drums have the usual rapid fire tom action that sets the pace, and the vocals are often a deep, mostly undecipherable growl. Interspersed across the songs, or sometimes within, are stretches where the band hits the brakes, and goes into calm and ethereal sections with often beautiful chants, choral work, and non-metal instrumentation (even including a harp on occasion). Their work focuses mostly on environmental concerns and the natural features of the Pacific Northwest in the US and avoids some of the more troubling themes that are known to be associated with the black metal scene.