Customer Reviews

Leatherwolf

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I paid $55 for this album on eBay a couple of years ago from a guy in Germany. Since then it appears it has been re-released, which will give others a chance to learn how good it is at a much lower price. If you are considering their first (1984) self-titled album, this one is far better. In fact, of their three studio albums this one is the best, with Street Ready coming in a close second. Their opener, "Rise or Fall" is an awesome song with some prog-metal elements in it, featuring great guitar work, which is not overdone. The other songs are not prog-metal like in structure. They are more straight, pure 80's metal. "Cry out" is my favorite song, and is better than many 80's songs you hear on the radio. Likewise, the incredible, tremendously moving ballad, "Share A Dream" is in a league with some of the best power-ballads to come out of the 80's PERIOD --- and I mean it compares with Skid Row's "I Remember You," "18 & Life," or Whitesnake's "Is this Love" and the like. Moving on, I like "Magical Eyes" because it is a clever play on words: you can see it as either "Magical Eyes" or "Magical Lies." The only weak songs on the album would be the cover "Bad Moon Rising" and maybe the last song, but overall this album ROCKS.

If you are researching the different styles of 80's metal, this album will take you somewhere you haven't been. First of all, they are the only band I can remember featuring three guitarists: each have something to offer. The band has a full sound - over the top in a good way. This album along with Street Ready (the follow-up) are reminiscent of a cross between Yngwie Malmsteen's Trilogy and Bon Jovi's 7800 fahrenheit. How is this possible? Leatherwolf bridges a gap between what was radio-friendly and what could be considered metal at it's lightest (think Bon Jovi's Tokyo Rose). Similar bands are Banshee, Barron Cross, and Cold Sweat. I got into them because I wasn't yet ready for the heavier Slayer/Exciter types but needed to expand beyond the mainstream glam rockers (poison, ratt, cinderella). The musical integrity is there and unlike Malmsteen, I can still crank those keyboard parts (Princess of Love intro especially) without flinching. I love the record. The Calling was the first I'd heard of them. It's very non-rock anthem yet catchy. Share a Dream is a great love song (the chick flick of metal ballads). Gypsies and Theives is an excellent rock-out jam followed by a fantastic cover of CCR's Bad Moon Rising. (No, it's not exactly like the original, it is the 80's metal version and does the song justice in that regard - Think Motley Crue's Helter Skelter). Princess of Love, Magical Eyes, and Rule the Night are a non-stop power push to the end: exposing all their talent in a whirlwind of 80's glam sound at it's best. I give it four stars only because I know that some will not stand for the keyboards or the overall airy-ness of their layered vocal sound (which, I think, is amazing cranked up). Despite the sound of their name they are no Iron Maiden nor Dio. They have a style like no other and would best relate to musicians or those not trying to be "Hard" all the time. If you're looking for a good band who writes solid lyrics, is excellent in arranging complex guitar parts, and has overall good musicianship with the soul of the 80's glam sound, these are your guys. Enjoy.

Don't pay attention to the guy that said you would waste your money buying this album, it is awesome! I saw these guys live and this album is there best stuff!! The guitar work shreds and the vocals are sharp, a must have!

Leatherwolf, confusingly, has two self-titled albums. The first one was released in 1984 and has a wolf cover, and teh second was released in 1987 and features the band on the cover. Both albums are completely different and feature different track listings. Why Leatherwolf did this, I will never know. This is the review of their 1984 album. Their first album was all guitars, unlike their other two albums which featured synthesizers and keyboards. Theirs first album is good but is by far their weakest studio album

1) Spiter - Great album opener. Fast and Hard

2) Engandered Species - Another fast and hard song. Not great but good

3) Tonight's The Night - Ok tune. Leatherwolf is cabable of much more though.

4) The Hook - One of the best tunes on the CD. It's mean and good. SWALLOW THE HOOK!

5) Season of the Witch - This is teh best song on the album. very melodic.

6) Off The Track - One of the weaker tracks. Again great but good

7) Kill And Kill Again - Awsome tune. Its amazing that Leatherwolf can sing a song called Kill And Kill Again and then turn around and do Princess Of Love on their second album. Now thats diversity.

8) Vagrant - The weakest track on the album. Just dirivitive of the previous songs.

9) Leatherwolf - Good ablum closer, fast and hard.

Alone In The Night (2003 Re-Master Bonus Track) - Why they released this song as a bonus track on this album is beyond me since they it was made during Leatherwolf's second album. What's even more rediculous is that they released a live version of The Hook as a bonus track on Leatherwolf 1987? I think they must have got the bonus tracks switched around. Anyway, this is one of Leatherwolfs best songs ever! I mean it. Well worth the hunt for!

I love this band. They are hard and fast, and their triple guitar attack is one of the best in rock. But, you have not really "heard" Leatherwolf until you see them live. I've watched their shows since 1985, and every time they come to the LA area, like this June 19,2009 at the Galaxy Theater in Santa Ana, I go see them. I cannot get enough of their music.

I highly recommend this CD, and all their others. Check out their live album "Open Wide". That's a must!

First of all, the original release is 1984 not 1986. This album is not as solid as Leatherwolf's other albums, but you can still play it without having to fast forward or skip any songs. One of the problems with this album is I think they try too hard to promote a tuff guy / death metal image on this album which does not go over too well. "The Hook" is my favorite song on the album. It is not a ballad, just a straight metal song with a good begining. The "Leatherwolf" song features some really cool guitar work in the middle which is very unique in all of my experience listening to the heavy metal/ glam metal genres. Most of the songs on the album are okay -- there are no standouts and no weak points. As much as I like leatherwolf (the band, that is), I would not recommend this album to start but I would go straight onto their self-titled 1987 release which is better produced and worlds better.

GREAT TRACKS ARE:
1.SPITER
2.ENDANGERED SPECIES
3.TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT
4.THE HOOK
5.SEASON OF THE WITCH
6.OFF THE TRACK
7.KILL AND KILL AGAIN
8.VAGRANT
9.LEATHERWOLF
THIS IS MY FAVORITE BAND AND ALBUM FOREVER THE BEST ONLY BEST!!!
BUYMTHIS ALBUM AND YOU WON'T BE SORRY EVER FOR THIS ALBUM!!!
GREAT-GREAT-GREAT ALBUM!!!WORTH 10 STARS!!!

I own the 5-song EP version of this album (from which the LP is culled), and I just recorded it to CD this weekend. Having not listened to it in several years, I forgot just how GREAT this album is. It's much heavier than their other albums, and the songs are great.

(I own a couple of their other albums, but those other ones always struck as very "average". They weren't particularly BAD, but they weren't particulary GOOD, either.)

This one, their first, really gets the blood pumping. It's greatly enjoyable.

I own the the first leatherwolf album in vinyl. It's pretty good. Season of the witch was the first song I remember listening from Leatherwolf. The album has a wolf on the cover. Now I was looking for it in cd but I am having difficulties find it because is not available anymore. This albulm to me is the best album from Leatherwolf.
Do you want to find out more about Leatherwolf? Log into their web page "leatherwolf.com" and you will see what they're up to. They have a couple of new songs that you can listen to. They are pretty good. If you like Leatherwolf you're gonna dig their new tunes. Check it out!!!

all i have to say is the guy that paid 55 bucks for this cd got screwed soooo bad ! there is almost no talent at all with these guys ! i guess anyone with a dumb ear prolly will love it !