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Now this is good. Wolverine are back for their 3rd full
length - and their steady progression continues. For those
who don't know them, Wolverine started as a death metal band
with heavy prog leanings and has been losing the death element
ever since. It is now completely gone - and all wonderful
clean vocals grace this album. Stefan's vocals are the standout
for me - as they are quite unique and expressive. The band
now sounds more like a cross between Anathema and Pain of
Salvation, while retaining their own unique approach to a
genre that has become all about clichés.
You will find a lot of variety on this disc, and only
one weak track ("Nothing More"). Great melodies, interesting
song structures, and above all - feeling! The emotion on this
disc really comes through in the music, something Anathema
has mastered. This may be to the great background keys and
sampling that appear throughout the album. "Sleepy Town" is
a perfect example of this. The band has really worked on composition,
and it shows as this is WAY better than their last release
(Cold Light of Monday) which was transitional in my mind and
not nearly as mature. These guys have really come into their
own now.
Wolverine can still get heavy, but with the death vocals
gone it seems somehow lighter. More acoustic passages and
piano also appear, which brings out the Pain of Salvation
comparison. If you are looking for an album that really moves
you and you can listen to from start to finish and take a
journey in your mind - this is it. Again - this album is all
about the feelings it conveys. I know that sounds weird -
but I mean it in a Devin Townsend sort of way (although Wolverine
sounds nothing like him). Trust me - check this one out.
Rating: 4 stars.
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