Wolf
Ravenous

God bless Heavy Metal!

Yes, I’ll open the review like that, because this Swedish band, after their not-so-thrilling debut "Evil Star" released by Century Media and the subsequent solid "The Black Flame", as well as after some lineup changes (with the addition of bassist Anders "Tornado" Modd and drummer Richard "Raptor" Holmgren), has done nothing but increase the number of its fans thanks to its musical offerings which, although not exactly original, are very, very beautiful and damn engaging.

The sound owes much, primarily, to bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest with that pinch of Mercyful Fate that never goes amiss in any of the 11 songs that make up "Ravenous", a damn heavy metal album as God intended, well played, divinely sung, and superbly produced. Once again Century Media hits the mark and presents us with a band capable of breaking everything and setting the sky and earth on fire thanks to damn lethal songs.

The opener "Speed On" speaks for itself: a genuine metal assault, fast and direct, with Niklas Stålvind’s voice being fierce and appropriately aggressive, and without those annoying high notes that squeeze your balls too much. Truly excellent. As are the subsequent tracks: "Mr. Twisted", incredibly catchy, the paced and martial "Voodoo", the dark "Hiding In The Shadow", the insane anthem "Whisky Psycho Hellions", a true anthem song built on a refrain to be shouted at the top of your lungs until you completely lose your voice, the title track with its very catchy chorus, or the gem "Secrets We Keep", built on very melodic arpeggios that then give way to the fury of Wolf who never spare a blow, thanks to a riffing as sharp as a sword blade and a singer (pardon: Mr. Singer) who, with his voice, gives that extra gear to the song and the entire album.

And this without ever slipping into the commercial or the "already heard". Because the band manages to infuse into its compositions that miracle called "personality" that makes them little sonic gems to enjoy listening to and to sing foolishly in the shower with the stereo at full volume.

In conclusion, we are not faced with the new miracle of 2009, but undoubtedly we are in the presence of an honest album, composed with heart and excellently played.

Wolf have outdone themselves with "Ravenous", an album I recommend buying without hesitation because anyone who loves heavy metal (and music in general) will not be disappointed at all. Impossible not to "drool" over it. Impossible not to love it.

Thrilling.