Review by Felix on October 17, 2023.

...which cannot compete with those of “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas”. Okay, “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” was condemned to lose right from the beginning and maybe it was a clever idea to release an EP and not a further full-length after the aforementioned masterpiece, the best black metal album ever. Yet it was not just this fact that made things difficult. The king of diabolic dignity, Attila, was not involved in “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” and so his unique vocals were missing. Maniac did the best he could, but especially when it comes to solemn vocal lines, he has to admit that he stands in the shadow of his predecessor. But he does not lack passion and so he cannot be blamed for his performance.

The material itself is not completely different than “Funeral Fog”, “Buried by Time and Dust” and so on, but no one is able to reproduce the magic of a moment or a recording session. Honestly speaking, the computerized intro already burns all bridges to the monument from 1994. It gives the EP a different flavour. Perhaps Mayhem wanted to emancipate themselves from their debut? But “I Am Thy Labyrinthe” does not confirm this thesis. Here the band seems to inspired by its own past and the aesthetics, values and designs return with unbridled vehemence. “Fall of Seraph” contributes the last missing element, a few Latin lyrics. Indeed, “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” is free from nonsensical experiments and much better than some of their later, pretty confusing full-lengths, at least in my humble opinion.

Nevertheless, there is a constantly whispering voice in my head that tells me “dude, you are not listening to the original album”. Sometimes this voice articulates even malicious thoughts. “Don’t you hear that the beginning of Ancient Skin is just the intro of Funeral Fog Part Two?”. I do not agree, because sometimes a lie is a good thing in order to defend your idols. But to be honest, there is another fact which separates the EP from the milestone – Mayhem run out of ideas this time. “I Am Thy Labyrinth” is a really very strong opener, but afterwards quality starts to crumble, slowly but steadily. At the latest “Bloodswords of Symbols” makes clear that even the guys of Mayhem are only human.

Finally the production supports the songs in a good manner. Hellhammer’s sticks dance on the snare and make a beautiful sound, the guitars have a very sharp-edged tone and the entire recording does not lack depth. Maniac’s voice has a fine animalistic touch in its best moments and the even Necrobutcher’s bass has something to say. So in simple mathematical terms: “Wolf’s Lair Abyss” = very good EP, but less personal than its big brother. No more, no less.

Rating: 8 out of 10