Century Media
2009
1. Speed On
2. Curse You Salem
3. Voodoo
4. Hail Caesar
5. Ravenous
6. Mr. Twisted
7. Whisky Psycho Hellions
8. Hiding in Shadows
9. Love at First Bite
10. Blood Angel
11. Secrets We Keep
Ravenous marks the 5th album from Wolf who are becoming something of a brand name in power metal. Certainly, the band has accumulated a pretty good fanbase between their heavy albums and take no prisoners live shows. Count me as one of those impressed with their live show and among those enjoying their albums.
Initially I didn't think much of the single released off this album, Voodoo, but I've gotta admit that initial impression of the song or what the album may be didn't stick. That song has grown on me quite a bit and this album is everything you'd expect of a Wolf album based on their last couple albums. More and more the band is leaning away from their Maiden clone beginnings to something more their own and with a sort of dark vibe. Speed On does open the album with a great Maiden style galloper though which is a perfect way to start. This song has a lot of energy and a good quick flow that makes it a winner. After that the speed drops off a bit into songs like Curse You Salem which have more of a mid-paced heaviness about them that's more in keeping with the way the band has been headed. This track has more of a heavy edge to it and builds to a nice screaming chorus. One thing I do really like about the vocals in this band is when they build to this sort of passionate and heavy yells. Very metal. When they yell out Curse You Salem it just has a, well, ravenous quality to it I like and is a good example of backing vocals done right. Another song worth noting is Love At First Bite which has a catchy melodic roll to it that reminds me of my favorite song from them, Wolf's Blood. This is a welcome addition and the vocal layering makes the verses sound big which builds to the nice guitar and chorus combo.
The only real complaint I have with this album is that the music does get a bit samey at times and does mostly work off the same mid-paced darker power metal formula. Not all the songs stand out as much as the three mentioned and keeps this album from quite reaching that next level. A good listen, but not quite enough songwriting ingenuity to put it in contention as a top album of the year probably. Still, I'm not disappointed and would recommend this to Wolf fans.
Highlights: Speed On, Curse You Salem, Love At First Bite
Rating - 3.5/5
2. Curse You Salem
3. Voodoo
4. Hail Caesar
5. Ravenous
6. Mr. Twisted
7. Whisky Psycho Hellions
8. Hiding in Shadows
9. Love at First Bite
10. Blood Angel
11. Secrets We Keep
Ravenous marks the 5th album from Wolf who are becoming something of a brand name in power metal. Certainly, the band has accumulated a pretty good fanbase between their heavy albums and take no prisoners live shows. Count me as one of those impressed with their live show and among those enjoying their albums.
Initially I didn't think much of the single released off this album, Voodoo, but I've gotta admit that initial impression of the song or what the album may be didn't stick. That song has grown on me quite a bit and this album is everything you'd expect of a Wolf album based on their last couple albums. More and more the band is leaning away from their Maiden clone beginnings to something more their own and with a sort of dark vibe. Speed On does open the album with a great Maiden style galloper though which is a perfect way to start. This song has a lot of energy and a good quick flow that makes it a winner. After that the speed drops off a bit into songs like Curse You Salem which have more of a mid-paced heaviness about them that's more in keeping with the way the band has been headed. This track has more of a heavy edge to it and builds to a nice screaming chorus. One thing I do really like about the vocals in this band is when they build to this sort of passionate and heavy yells. Very metal. When they yell out Curse You Salem it just has a, well, ravenous quality to it I like and is a good example of backing vocals done right. Another song worth noting is Love At First Bite which has a catchy melodic roll to it that reminds me of my favorite song from them, Wolf's Blood. This is a welcome addition and the vocal layering makes the verses sound big which builds to the nice guitar and chorus combo.
The only real complaint I have with this album is that the music does get a bit samey at times and does mostly work off the same mid-paced darker power metal formula. Not all the songs stand out as much as the three mentioned and keeps this album from quite reaching that next level. A good listen, but not quite enough songwriting ingenuity to put it in contention as a top album of the year probably. Still, I'm not disappointed and would recommend this to Wolf fans.
Highlights: Speed On, Curse You Salem, Love At First Bite
Rating - 3.5/5
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