The Wolves Howl to the Moon is the second full-length album from Wampyric Rites, and in true black metal fashion follows a spate of splits, demos and an EP that were released in between. Much like on their debut, Wampyric Rites plays old-school second-wave black metal, the kind with otherworldly vocals mixed down low, blasting drums and cold, antiseptic guitars. They add just enough melody so their sound is more than just an unholy noise as well as a few sound effects and acoustic passages. "The Ancient Tyrant Returns from the Deep Grave" and "Rites Under the Fullmoon" should easily satisfy black metal purists, but as one who does not consider myself a purist, I really like the acoustic guitar that leads into "The Wolves Howl to the Moon," with its Spanish melody, before the band lets fly with another barrage of icy hellishness. Wampyric Rites stick fairly close to the second-wave blueprint, but have enough distinctiveness to put them a step ahead of crowd.
