Wolf
Devil Seed

The Swedish wolf has become angry lately. The hunted hunter is far from popular due to it withholding its natural instincts and traditions. Maybe that's the reason why Wolf has moved yet another step away from the traditional hevay metal that came so natural for this breed of predators and towards something more aggressive. 'Devil Seed' has plenty of elements that's not far from thrash metal.

It was the second wolf batch from 2002 that started the buzz around the band and all though the roots are traced back to 1995 with the first batch coming five years later it was 'Black Wings' that made Wolf an act to be taken serious. 'Devil Seed' is the seventh full length album and all though the band gradually has taken steps towards a heavier sound, this album makes a much bigger step than any album before it. After the intro, the album opens with the single track - the really aggressive Shark Attack that's probably more thrash than heavy metal and the angriest piece of music they've ever done. Later they compensate with acoustic parts and some real Judas Priest knockers - besides the traditional Wolf material of course.

The vocals are like an early mix between the masters of high pitch shrieks from the early heavy metal and the almost grunting things thrash metal vocalists do as well as some howling in the vein of an arctic wolf. The guitars are quite simple and does the job of pushing the music forwards, even though they sometimes seems more eager to play faster than the songs actually are - which conflicts with the rhythm section sometimes. There's a lot of energy, though, and the album feels alive, live some sort of creature lurking around in the forest after dusk and stalks easy prey. The melodies are also good, they catch you humming along and shaking your hair as they're so easy to follow. I especially like the slower tracks - such as Skeleton Woman, my Demon and I Am Pain. Among the faster and thrashier songs I feel Shark Attack is the only one really hitting the mark, but Back From The grave and Killing Floor are also decent songs, made after good old German thrash recipe.

The Dark Passenger is probably the black sheep among the goats here. It has acoustic guitars in the vein of oriental music and since it's the only track going this direction I feel it's either a late addition or an early song. Either way, I don't find it particularly good but since it's so different you still remember it. The best track on the album is in my opinion the already mentioned Shark Attack with it's heavy beat and angry mood. But it's not a classic case of putting the best song in the beginning and then gradually lose interest all the way through the album. Actually I think this album has the ability to uphold the interest all the way with 11 varied songs and 48 minutes of well written music.

Clearly, Wolf has managed to make one of their best albums with 'Devil Seed'. It's an album that feels particularly made for the heavy metal fans out there. It goes in true 80's heavy metal vein - angry, heavy and just like the old Danish bands did it they have a vocalist that almost sounds possessed when he sings. The wolf is ready to attack - and this time it's gonna be butcher!

HHHHHHH