conjuring up the spirits of dead uncles and twice-convicted felons, smolken's latest ensemble, WOLFMANGLER, returns for more slow-acting poison. there's not much else to say about these shattered, shambolic acoustic death folk romps of pristine grandeur, but few can deny smolken's talent. "the gates of wolves" features lead vocals performed by matt rosin, so the cryptic eastern european gallow march aspect isn't as thick. but don't be fooled - the operatic quotient is turned up to 12, while the porch squalor sinks into the distant landscapes. what a fucking clusterfuck. 69 copies