it’s time to get acquainted with yet another new band here on that’s punk. this time, hailing from Ann Arbour, Michigan – is Dire Wolf. and they present themselves with much grace. the first few crushing tones sort of reminding me of Kollwitz, actually! they quickly enough pick up pace, and place themselves comfortably within the modern hardcore formula, with a little dab of metal. but all along, I can’t shake this Kollwitz comparison. it’s clear to me that they do not actually sound like Kollwitz – but they do share some of the same qualities. there’s something adhesive and glutinous about it, like with drone or doom music. it’s very dark and brooding. and when they pick up the pace, they almost cross into power violence territory. this is a hardcore band that blends what I can only possibly think are widely different influences, into a unique and original sound of their own, that sometimes sounds like doom, sometimes like power violence, and sometimes even like black metal (the last minute and a half might be the highlight of the entire record). but at its core, this is just really good and experimental hardcore punk. in addition to this unique sound, they write lyrics that deal with both highly personal issues as well as political issues, or rather society’s and civilisation’s potential downfall as a whole. this record was released in February 2009, and I’m proud to present it here on that’s punk – albeit a bit late. this record is fascinating and well worth playing through. give it a go! also check this band’s MySpace on http://www.myspace.com/direwolfmi for tour dates, if you’re from the US. they’re ploughing through a chunk of it, starting the first of May. so check that out, and check this download out.