WOLF - EDGE OF THE WORLD (Mausoleum ~ Skull 8323) Vinyl LP
Sold Date:
March 18, 2017
Start Date:
March 13, 2017
Final Price:
$50.00
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Many NWOBHM bands were awesome, but didn’t make it far. Wolf (not to be mistaken with an awesome Swedish band that also happens to be called Wolf) is one of those bands who recorded awesome stuff, but never became well-known. Still, that should not prevent us from enjoying those lesser known bands and their albums. Edge of the World is one of such albums. Forgotten gem, like I said in the title? No doubt about it.
This album has one similarity to Herman Frank’s Right in the Guts, which I’ve already had a pleasure of reviewing: it’s consistently great. There’s a lot of variety on this album: some songs are fast (Highway Rider, Red Lights), others are slower (A Soul for the Devil), while the title track starts off slow, then morphs into something more upbeat, but every track is worth your time. Whether it’s a riff or a solo, something the singer does or something completely else, each track contains something that draws your attention, so you cannot go wrong with this. Speaking of the singer, he’s one of the best singers I’ve had a pleasure to hear among NWOBHM singers. He has a great voice and he knows how to use it. Production is standard for that time: a bit raw, but that’s what gave many other albums from that time a lot of charm; this album is not an exception. If this album were overpolished like, for instance, Def Leppard, it would be completely ruined.
A few tracks do happen to stand out: Highway Rider, that also happened to be released as a single (albeit at the time when the band was called Black Axe); Heaven Will Rock ‘n’ Roll, what happens to be arguably the catchiest track; A Soul for the Devil, that has a prominent atmospheric element. But it would be wrong to ignore the rest of the album: Head Contact has one of the most convincing riffs I’ve heard. All in all, I failed to find any flaw to the album.
I’ll keep it short: I sincerely recommend this album and, trust me, you WILL keep returning to it. Like I said, it can be rightfully considered a gem. Not only among NWOBHM albums, but among heavy metal albums in general, or even among music albums per se.
~ Wolf aka Black Axe was a band that experienced the all-too common gauntlet of label problems and bad-luck throughout their career, which seemed to blanket that heyday known as the NWOBHM. Though a well-versed, veteran, and obviously brilliant songwriting troupe – success on the scale of Samson, Avenger or Venom eluded this strong Carlisle-based act. Forming in 1977 under the moniker of Leviathan, by a group of talented young men – somewhat akin in this aspect to fellow greats Savage, the band honed their chops for several years before re-branding as Black Axe, and producing the strong, promising ‘Highway Rider’ single. Riding on the popularity of this single, which garnered strong sales, things were looking up for Wolf, who were bussed into the studio to record one helluva memorable slice of NWOBHM, before running into problems with, and eventually being axed by their stable, leaving the master tapes to collect dust for a few years, before finally being re-issued by European stable Mausoleum.
What was contained therein, was a stellar, pinnacle effort from an above average NWOBHM collective. Not only did Wolf manage to squeeze out a full-length (something which seems to have eluded 50% of the coattail riding, pubescent bandwagoniers that characterized the movement), but they managed one which could inspire jealousy from almost all bands in the scene. ‘Edge of the World’ is a stunning blend of Savage-esque attitude and toughness, mixed with dazzling displays of dirty Anvil/Ace Frehley-esque guitar squeals, and an almost unattainable understanding of thick, rich vocal melodies and hooks, matched by solid production and thorough originality. This record is just about the epitome of that classic NWOBHM sound. All-round musicianship, crisp vocal melodies, and an unfaltering lineup of songs means this one will remain part of the crème de la crème of NWOBHMs output forever.
With such a consistent lineup of tracks, it’s hard to pick favourites, but the opener ‘Edge of the World’ is enough to coat my leathery skin with goose bumps at almost every given opportunity. Featuring the smooth, commanding presence of Simon Sparkes and Bill Keir’s guitar work, which comes across as clear as day, (especially for a NWOBHM work recorded this early), and a bold, confident and passionate delivery by the ever-capable Chris English – this one sets the tone for one heck of a professional, and talented album. Chris English’s chorus delivery, intertwined with the tearful, epic guitar licks of Sparkes (who often sounds akin to early Anvil work or Ace Frehley’s nastier moments from KISS or Frehley’s Comet) combine for a really strong effort. This track has etched itself into my brain, and while probably the favourite, doesn’t stand too far out, as the whole album is as solid as diamond, and should be about as precious as the stone to true NWOBHM collectors.
‘Too Close for Comfort’ is another stellar piece, this time retaining a strong 70’s rock feel, drawing comparisons somewhat to Blue Oyster Cult meets Quartz. The main riff in this one is so catchy and memorable it will become part of your DNA, while a solid boogie-rock style lead section gives us touches of E.F. Band and Predatur. Typical of this release, Wolf continues to dominate in the realm of vocal layers. Strong harmonies and massive hooks in the chorus will knock you to the floor with their brilliance. In a similar vein is the stunner ‘Heaven Will Rock N Roll’ –yet another in an album of stunners. A straightforward structure here, is used to execute an absolutely memorable track, with a massive chorus hook, peppered with beautiful guitar licks.
Another stunner is ‘Red Light’ a ruckus, high-speed assault with a distorted, nasty riff aspect, and vocal mating which draws comparison to Deep Purple’s opus ‘Highway Star’, and may remind one again of E.F. Band or Tranzzam. Throughout this sordid, high-paced, snarling assault though, Wolf doesn’t abandon it’s signature vocal harmony domination, and we are treated to a doozie to close out this strong track. ‘Medicine Man’ an odd, original track, is by no means a favourite of mine (due to the sheer rock solid nature of this bundle of excellent cuts), but it again, is highly memorable. The addition of Bill Keir’s keys here, mixed with the slower, more soulful delivery of Chris English’s (again flawless) vocals, and a more relaxed, passionate and simplistic guitar style, give an almost Saracen-esque feel. English’s vocal melodies matched with the slower pace, give an almost Beatlesish feel too, which is quite odd – though not unusual for NWOBHM (see Masai, Ethel the Frog). In any case, these are two tracks of differing styles, and though they might not be my two favourites are incredible tracks –attesting to the consistency of the work.
To conclude – a powerful, and utterly amazing NWOBHM album; this one basically serves as a testament to how strong a caliber of music can be made using the "standard NWOBHM sound." Yes, before you bite my head off, of course there are other great albums/bands, even ones of this caliber, but often they used different sounds. Maiden wrote material of this caliber (perhaps better), but they done it with their own, unique metal style that at the time bore little resemblance to the other bands emerging at the time. Saracen also done it, but with their own unique, 70s progressive rock influenced NWOBHM. In my opinion, Wolf has more semblance to that "typical" NWOBHM sound and while being somewhat unique, are more readily identifiable with the sound of the movement. In any case this is absolutely essential NWOBHM that every fan of the genre needs to get. It has it all really, including an uncanny knack for longevity, as I have spun it many times, and I still get blown away by it, and thoroughly enjoy it every time. Stunning NWOBHM.
