Caverndweller deafening howl (DF) skill (lvl 39) vs Animist spirit howl (SH) spell (lvl 46)

DF:
- lower level, less mana
- effectively render mages, bards temporary useless at lower levels
- caverns, indoors (this may be wrong)

SH:
- wilderness

That's about it. Kinda anti-climax. In my opinion, SH should be better than DF. Is there a reason for this animist spell? I feel SH is lacking in aspects being that it is a high-level spell and can be spellbaned/avoided by ragers.

I'm suggesting to have SH dish out damage (maybe it already does), like whirling simoon, and even a chance to stun/concuss opponents since it is quite a high-level spell (or perhaps give other added side-benefits).

What do you think?