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Here's something I had not seen coming! I knew Theudho for having done a review of their previous release, The Volsonga Saga, and even did an interview last year. The surprise was to get a promo of their brand new album, Cult of Wuotan. Finding out that they were now signed to a label I highly respect, Det Germanske Folket, was a sign that the band was in very good hands.

Cult of Wuotan is as epic as its covert art suggests. The percussion are pounding, the keyboards pompous and orchestral. Clean narrative voices alternates with rasps all the way throughout this new album. The guitar work is as varied as the tempos, on this new release. Often, a faster pace with blast beats and double basses is present. Fortunately though, more moderate parts are also included as well where, I believe, Theudho is at its best. This music is not only epic, but melodic and intricate too, involving complex time signatures. I personally think the blast beats are more Power metal-ish than Black metal, and this is basically the problem I'm having with this new work. The songwriting is very good, and the musicianship excellent, don't get me wrong. Also, I think the overall feel is a bit too nice, and a darker tone would benefit to the epic purpose of their musical direction. Now maybe that's what Theudho is aiming at, I mean bringing elements of Power Metal into Black metal, but personally I'd rather treat them as mortal enemies.

Nonetheless, Cult of Wuotan remains very easy to listen to, epic to the maximum and demonstrates the talent, and good songwriting abilities those musicians possess. I would choose these as my favorites: "Zeitenwende", "Thumelicus" and "Silence Reigned Over the Bog".