For the collective at the core of 1349, the notion of creating music together was less about galvanizing as a band and more about asserting their artistry for the sake of cultural preservation. Eight albums deep, the Norwegian black metal tour de force in 1349, have made a career of restoring the sound to it's glory days and ensuring that the spirit of the genre was forever front and center. 

1349 architect Ravn spoke about his intentions in establishing the project and explains what continues to fuel the like-minded unit now decades into their tenure.

“I didn’t like the direction that black metal took in the mid part of the ’90s,” Ravn confided. “It started losing everything that I liked about black metal—the grimness, the eeriness, the primal emotions that captivated me and brought me into that sphere. You had all these synthesizer-based bands dressing up in pirate shirts and looking like goths. It ruined something that I truly hold close to my heart.” 

Furthering their agenda with the release of their eighth full length effort, The Wolf and the King, the album marks the first studio album in more than five years and underscores the long established legacy of the relentless Norwegian sound.

Inspired by the alchemy of a wolf devouring the king only to succumb to the flames of chaos and upheaval to rise from the ashes as a new, more powerful king, the presentation serves as a metaphorical statement for 1349 - one that will fully relinquishes ego as a means of becoming bigger, better, more powerful and in the case of the eight-track masterclass - certainly most brutal. 

While practitioners of black metal are typically much more inclined to be reclusive and evade explanation, 1349 have offered a track-by-track roadmap to the journey that is core to The Wolf and the King. With an added emphasis on restoring the savagery and shadowy style of 90s era black metal, the unit have compiled eight uncompromising tracks that both indulge lore and foster all the requisite brutality that has characterized the best examples of black metal.

RAVN - Starting the album with a pounding, eerie and snaky groove before blasting off into steroid infused 1349 territory. TGD sets the mood for the entire album.

First single, all Black Metal magic, showcasing the diversity of influences and styles 1349 are capable of blending while remaining unapologetic black metal.

Inspired by the Demon Star Algol, SP has enough twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout its duration. Revisiting the Infernal Pathway but expanding and blending in new elements

A fast blast from the past. IP is classic blast-ridden 1349, relentless and punishing, but with an extra dimension added constituted by dynamic execution and intriguing lead guitar lines. 

Menacing bass sucks you in before bludgeoning you with fast, twisting riffs and furious drumming, the essence of 90s black metal the 1349 way.

Progressive, aggressive and technical, yet still old-school and necro enough to be lifted straight out of Hellfire.

Punk, thrash and death-influences combined with Pink Floyd-esque moods and old school spirit.

The longest and slowest track of the album yet easily the most impactful. Layered vocals narrate a journey ever downwards and inwards. 

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Catch 1349 live as the band treks through Europe along with support from Kampfar and Afsky. A complete list of dates and cities can be found below. 

1349 EUROPEAN TOUR DATES

02.10 Berlin (DE) – SO36

03.10 Aarhus (DK) – Voxhall

04.10 Gothenburg (SE) – Filmstudion

05.10 Stockholm (SE) – Kolletkivet Livet

07.10 Helsinki (FI) – Aaniwalli

08.10 Tallinn (EE) – Helitehas

09.10 Riga (LV) – Melna Piektdiena

10.10 Warsaw (PL) – Proxima

11.10 Kraków (PL) – Kamienna 12

12.10 Vienna (AT) – Vienna Metal Meeting

13.10 Budapest (HU) – Barba Negra

15.10 Prague (CZ) – Futurum

16.10 Munich (DE) – Backstage

17.10 Milano (IT) – Slaughter Club

18.10 Colmar (FR) – Le Grillen

19.10 Aarburg (CH) – Musigburg

20.10 Oignies (FR) – Tyrant Fest

22.10 Weiher (DE) – Live Music Hall

23.10 Paris (FR) – Le Petit Bain

24.10 Bochum (DE) – Zeche Carl

25.10 Amstelveen (NL) – P60

26.10 Maastricht (NL) – Samhain Festival