Year: 2024
Label: Iron Bonehead Productions
Rating: 7,7 / 10
Let me remind that last year Nightwolf made two announcements at the same time: that RUNESPELL is turning into a full band, and that his solo creativity will continue in the new project named ANCIENT GUARD. RUNESPELL's threesome-recorded album "Shores of Náströnd" has already been released and turned out to be one of the weakest in the band's history. ANCIENT GUARD's debut mini-album ”Nightfall Enthroned" will be released only this summer, but I got the promo a long time ago, and I'll tell you what to expect.
I'll put it simple: "Nightfall Enthroned" is kind of the same RUNESPELL / late BLOOD STRONGHOLD at its best. If the first track is trying to wind up militant rhythms, encroach on BATHORY and surprise with clear–voiced vocals, then the second discards all this nonsense and gives what Nightwolf knows how to do best - guitar miracles. As always, this seemingly simple music has incredible depth and magical qualities. Only Nightwolf, by connecting two or three guitar parts with ease, can drag the listener in solemn, mysterious darkness. He doesn't need anything else; even the keyboards play only a supporting role here. And personally, I would like the Australian musician to continue to do just that, since in more ambitious and dynamic forms his works do not work that effectively. The third track balances somewhere between belligerence and transcendence, and it sounds very strong too, but my favorite is definitely "Sepulchral Damnation". The final track is another acoustic instrumental, and, I admit, these instrumentals bored me already on ”Voice of Opprobrium" 5 years ago.
One way or another, if you like Nightwolf's creativity, be sure to listen to "Nightfall Enthroned". There is nothing new on it, but this is the case when there should be as little new as possible.
English (UK) 
Крыўская