Customer Reviews

Evil Star

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There's a metal revolution taking place in recent years. It's not making many headlines, but in the underground scenes several new bands are coming forward to carry the metal torch for a new generation. In America bands like Widow, Pharaoh, and Icarus Witch are leading the charge. In Sweden, Wolf is the standard bearer.

Wolf's 2004 album Evil Star (the band's third release) was my first exposure to the band, and they definitely made an impression. The members of Wolf were obviously raised on classic Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, and have the kind of denim and leather energy and aggression that would have been right at home in the legendary New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene. They also have the high level of musicianship, impeccable sense of melody, and tight production that Swedish metal bands are so well known for. The result is fierce, powerful, melodic heavy metal with a deep appreciation for its roots. You can totally imagine Rob Halford or Paul Di'Anno belting out Evil Star or Devil Moon in 1980. At the same time, Wolf's aggressive and energetic approach keeps the songs from sounding dated.

The album closes with a trilogy of cover songs that showcase both the band's diverse influences and their ability to make just about any kind of song metal as hell. Wolf's version of Blue Oyster Cult's (Don't Fear) the Reaper is in keeping with the rest of the album's overall sound. Their version of Slayer's Die By the Sword is as ferocious as it is surprisingly melodic. Their take on the Ramones' I'm Not Afraid of Life is just classic, and is up there with Children of Bodom's Somebody Put Something in My Drink as the best metal cover of a Ramones song.

Forget about labels. This is pure unadulterated heavy metal. This is WOLF!

I bought this album about 3 months ago... and I have to say this is one my all-time favs! This album is essential to any metalheads collection! I could spend a good hour detailing (obsessing, if you will) each song, but I won't... the big highlights for me are Wolf's Blood and Transylvanian Twilight(Instrumental)/Devil Moon. This band also does 3 cover tunes... (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult, Die By The Sword by Slayer, and I'm Not Afraid of Life by The Ramones. Evil Star also contributed to expanding my musical tastes ( prior to buying this album, I didn't listen too much to the likes of Slayer and The Ramones, but now I listen to pretty much anything that rocks!) So I'm gonna conclude this review by saying that Rock and Metal is Here To Stay! \m/ \m/

After hearing the so-called metal of recent years make me want to listen to an old Judy Collins album, Wolf is a truly refreshing return to , what I would call "Talented-Metal". This is a three piece band that kicks it into gear and doesn't need to be neo-anything to keep you interested, although the vocals leave something to be desired. Musically these guys are not just noise, which I for one appreciate. A Judas Priest/Iron Maiden/BOC combination is my best description of the band; and I mean JP such as "Sinner" "Genocide" "Call For the Priest" and the era. Wolf will probably be too sophisticated for many of America's young headbangers and doesn't make you want to put on black nail polish and white face paint and pierce every square inch of your tatooed body, it just rocks. Add the best cover of "Reaper" yet and this album has potential as something special.

Evil Star is everything every metal band has been trying to make since Black Sabbath hit the scene forty years ago. Real metal, strait from the horror soundtracks, without compromising anything, without trying to fit in, just awsome rockin' creepy evil. I know many will say these guys are merely a band trying to capture the sound of the godfathers of the metal age, copying maiden, and priest, but I say just listen to their albums, and you will get a different perspective.

The title track rocks so hard, you will instantly be brought back to the moment you first heard metal. American Storm, and Avenger carry on the killer mood, with early style melodic speed metal, blistering solos, and a pure metal voice.

I don't know much about this band, other than with Evil Star, The Black Flame, and Ravenous, they have become one of my favorite bands, and I think any metal fan will like them, and support them if they are only given the chance to hear them.

Devil Moon and Black Wing Rider are also killer tracks, and the album really has no dull points. The last three songs are cover tunes, redoing classics by the Blue Oyster Cult, Slayer, and the Ramones. All are done in superb fashion, definately paying worthy tribute to the originals. Especially Die By The Sword. These covers also help to show where a classic style metal band from Sweden gets their influence in this modern age of corporate bullcrap. I commend you Wolf. Keep it up.

Wolf is what can be considered 21st Century power metal, similar to bands like Primal Fear, Dream Evil and Hammerfall. The first time I listened to Evil Star I thought it wasn't anything new, but after several listenings I found it a little intoxicating and it becomes one of those cd's you just can't put down. When one listens to this album and looks at the details of the band's musicianship, it becomes obvious that the band takes their classic influences and take them to next level. Some parts of the album feel like Iron Maiden, at times it feels more like Judas Priest and when album starts a full mayhem of guitars and drums you're reminded of Lemmy and Motorhead. Wolf is band that will certainly please old school metal fans and younger fans who are starting to get into the underground scene. Besides being a great album, Evil Star is also a statement that says Wolf is a band that everyone can expect good things from in the future.

Evil Star is a fairly solid album. There are only a couple of drawbacks on the album. Most noticealby is the singing. At first it might not bother you but, eventualy the extremely high pitched vocals will give you a headache. The other notable thing is that the songs are all pretty long, three songs top six minutes.

The best song on the album would have to be Black Wing Rider but, Die By The Sword is a close second.

Overall I suppose this album is a good buy although you should keep in mind my ramblings about the vocals.

A very high-quality, fun old-school metal album!! Slides nicely into your collection between Iron Maiden and Helloween. Plus, the cover songs are sweet...highly recommended!

The music on this CD is in the vein of traditional US metal. Overlapping guitars and vocals. The singer sounds just like the guy in 220 Volt from 20 years ago. Overall the musicians are talented and some of the songs do stand out such as the title song Evil Star. I do find that the songs tend to start sounding alike after a while and sometimes change to something else a little fresher. They are influenced by Iron Maiden and the guitarist is pretty good. You won't be disappointed if you sample their music before buying.