What has to happen till this band gets the attention it deserves? Although having released four awesome records these Swedes are still unknown, somehow. And this, although classic Heavy Metal is “hot” these days as it wasn’t for ages.
It’s for sure not a matter of music. Those, who like Metal will (must) love WOLF. This band gives a fucking shit on stylistic redevelopments, they just rock! And that’s what you get on Ravenous: excessively powerful and great Heavy Metal, ranging anywhere between NWOBHM, classic US Metal and bands such as old Savatage and Metal Church.
Opening track Speed On already blows you away, revealing power and energy galore. What strikes at the same time: WOLF have extended their stylistic spectrum, still speeding but going down a bit more melodious as you might know from previous releases. Doesn’t matter! WOLF in fact deliver ear-catching tunes but are still far away from hackneyed and kitschy sing-along refrains.
Additionally these gents display unbelievably dynamics and sheer enthusiasm in playing. And so they go on: Curse You Salem is bloody varied, Voodoo pounding Heavy Metal, Hail Caesar again so downright classic Power Metal that one might burst into tears, and so on and on and on…
I have no idea where these both guitarists got this mass of first class riffing, but together with skillful arrangements not even a second of boredom shows up. When it comes to the sound another little change appears. Production is still phat but turns out to be a bit more modern. Only the cover artwork is really crap. But again that’s something you know from the 80’s: the most appalling package holds the best pearls. And who’s buying a CD to gawk on the cover for hours? Nevertheless, it makes me reducing the rating by a half point, as well for the fact that I like the predecessor The Black Flame a little bit more. All in all I come up with phat 9 out of 10 points :)
Those, who wants to listen to real Heavy Metal instead of Hammerfall: get your copy of Ravenous and you’ll be served at best!