Release
date: January 09th
2016. Label: Self Released. Format: CD/DD
Wolves
Of Winter – Tracklisting
Astrothoughts
A
New Reality
Tooth
And Nail
Start
Of The Season
The
Blind Leading The Blind
Devil's
Kiss
Rubber
Band
Childs
Reasoning
Manipulation
Try
Till Dead
Band
Members:
Josh
McGee, David Weaver, Mike Horn
Review:
Wolves
Of Winter debut S/T album is a very heavy affair that mixes desert
rock, fuzz, psych and doom for one exciting ride. Opening track –
Astrothoughts – is what you would expect from a band such as Wolves
Of Winter. Heavy and hazy psych based riffs with great vocals to
match. The one thing that makes Wolves Of Winter such an interesting
band is their take on 70s Classic Doom spliced with a more modern
Desert/Stoner Rock sound. There are times when the band unleashes a
simple trippy riff that gives this album a delicious edge.
Second
track – A New Reality – sees the band opt for a doomier laidback
approach that allows the band focus on the vocals and lyrics and it’s
an entertaining slice of Doom/Desert Rock. These guys have a similar
sound to Witchrider who released a great album last year. Though you
won’t care especially when the band start to play some classic dual
guitar based riffs with impressive drumming to match.
There’s
nothing progressive here as most of songs run between three to four
minutes in length. This is a band who has written a true rock and
roll album that’s built for two things. Entertainment and high
octane riffs. Fans of QOTSA may also get a kick from this album
especially on songs such as Tooth And Nail.
The
thing I like most about the album (apart from the riffs of course) is
the lyrics as Wolves Of Winter have written some great lyrics on the
album. Very easy to remember so you can sing-along in the comfort of
your own home or with a group of your friends. Do one thing though,
play this album as loud as you can. It’s the only way to experience
this album. Wolves Of Winter do experiment with their sound at
different moments on the album. You can hear slight traces of almost
Thrash based riffs and heavier vocals appearing through out the
album. It’s when the band fully explore their Doom Metal sound the
album takes a more sinister approach as the mood becomes slightly
creepy indeed.
My
fave track on the album has to be – The Blind Leading The Blind. A
cool, sombre and heavy as heck song that creates a doomy desert rock
vibe you’ll find very hard to resist. It’s purely an instrumental
affair that captures some of the albums more reflective and heaviest
moments.
One
of the loudest songs on the album – Devil’s Kiss – sees the
band unleash a torrent of violent noises. It starts off rather
innocently enough but about two minutes in, the band turn into
dangerous psychedelic thrash based riffsters. I didn’t expect that
at all. A very strange song to include on the album but it’s good
to see Wolves Of Winter turning into a more fearsome unit.
The
production on the album is impressive through out though I do think
the vocals could of done with more volume being added to them as
they’re drowned out at times especially towards the end of the
album. That minor complaint aside, Wolves Of Winter debut album is an
excellent album that will appeal to both fans of the Doom/Stoner
Metal genres. These guys are already getting a great reputation and
fanbase within the Doom/Stoner Metal community and I can see these
guys only getting bigger once they release this album. Check this out
as Wolves Of Winter deserve the recognition coming their way.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to Wolves Of Winter for the promo. Wolves Of Winter S/T will be
available on CD/DD from Jan 09th 2016.
Links:
