Customer Reviews

Wolf

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

 

 

You can be forgiven if, after hearing the 2000 self-titled debut from Sweden's Wolf, you come away thinking you just discovered some long lost gem from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. From its not terribly impressive production job to the high school art class cover artwork; this fast and furious blast of retro metal almost screams Neat Records circa 1982.

Equal parts Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Saxon, and Diamond Head, Wolf put metal's compartmentalized labels aside in favor of an old school sound that can only be described as heavy metal! The band's debut merges classic metal elements - lightning riffs, dark subject matter, and dynamic vocals - with a modern sensibility sort of like Children of Bodom's (minus the growls and keys). It was just such a welcome change of pace to hear a straightforward metal album after so many bands went out of their way to sound progressive, or power, or prog/power, or whatever. Wolf is METAL. End of story.

Wolf has of course gone on to issue three more albums (as of this writing), all of which are progressively more polished and impressive. Still, this rough and raw debut has an undeniable character that gets to the heart of what metal is all about, and will always have a special place in my denim and leather heart.

When I first saw the artwork on the album cover, I thought it was some reissue of a metal band from the early 80's. It turns out that it is a Swedish metal band from 1999, and it is great! I would call it a definite cross between Iron Maiden and various Power Metal bands. There is great guitar riffing with awesome harmonizing leads and changes throughout that keep you wanting more. Check out the killer bass chugging that sounds just like Iron Maiden's Steve Harris circa 1980! This is not your average or boring power metal style, and should satisfy any fan of the genre. What makes it even better is that it is recorded very well in that it gives maximum power to each instrument. Definitely a recommended addition to your Metal library - the search is worth it!

...that's the reason why WOLF formed in the first place! If WOLF were around in the 80's they'd be right up there withe likes of Maiden and Priest... these guys deserve a larger audience... so make sure you spread the word around!

(...)

A nice choice for anyone enjoying fast, energetic power metal. The music itself does remind of Stratovarius, with its sudden changes of rhytm and impressive guitar passages, although there is a strong oriental theme going through most compositions. Good vocals, too... Nothing new per se, but this album will surely become a decent addition to your music shelf.

Once I heard 'Shadow' I was hooked. These guys keep classic metal alive and well. Even with thousands of metal bands out there, these guys manage to have a somewhat distinct sound. This was the first disc I purchased from them a couple years ago and the other 2 albums are just as metallicious.

Every fan of heavy metal from the old days must have all the albums from Wolf. They are the best Heavy Metal Band.

I picked up this CD not really knowing anything about it, except that a friend said this band was good and I should check them out. I saw the CD in a used store and grabbed it, knowing only that it was their first album. Instantly I was rocking out, singing along to the choruses the first time I heard the songs and head banging to the riffs. Why had I never heard these guys before?

The vocals took me a couple songs to get used to, but once you're used to it, you wouldn't want them any other way. The lead singer (I haven't even looked at what his name is yet) has a Bruce Dickenson quality to his voice. He can hit those high notes like a choir boy.

Speaking of Dickenson, this band reminds me a blood child between Iron Maiden and Motorhead. Take Iron Maiden's harmonic riffing and falstteo style vocals and mix it with Motorhead's fast tempo, blusey, from-the-gut rock and roll with brutal fast pace tracks.

I'm not going to waste too many more words describing this to you. Just buy this, borrow this, steal this, get a hold of this album any way you can. I look forward to getting all of their CDs. Listen to Wolf and spread the word. They are what metal in this day and age needs to be!

i have had this cd for years and i love it. it a beautiful piece of music. it is worth it. if you dont like this type of music just get it and you might change your mind.