The Summary Judgment Review:
Title: Evil Star
Artist: Wolf
Label: Prosthetic Records
Release Date: 4/20/04

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • Abyss's Review (8/27/04):
    When I realized that we hadn't gotten this record, I succumbed to the buzz and went on a mission to buy it. This album has been getting some great reviews, and it definitely deserves them. Evil Star is the perfect blend of nostalgia and power, bringing the listener back to a purer time in the metal chronology, but refusing to give in to cliché and never sounding stale.

    This is probably the purest traditional metal album I've heard since the eighties. But unlike many of their peers, it doesn't sound dated at all - in fact, they sound like they're a little ahead of the curve. The songs are grand in scale, the guitars sound awesome, and the vocals toe the line between anger and beauty perfectly. They may be as melodic as all hell, but they sure ain't flowery. Children of the 80s (like me) and 70s will really dig this stuff on many different levels, but even the less jaded younger listener will most likely jump on board because when a record like this comes out, it transcends the entire metal spectrum.

    This album epitomizes what metal is all about, a sonic representation of denim and leather. It pays homage to the riff and builds each and every song around well-considered themes. And while my early favorites are "Evil Star," "The Avenger" (killer vocal line during the verse), and "Wolf's Blood" (droooool), there isn't a throwaway song on the record. Even the covers are interesting. "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" sounds pretty cool despite the fact it's such an overplayed song. And while hearing another Slayer cover by some death metal act would be snore-inducing, hearing a band like this tackle "Die By The Sword" is compelling and shows a completely different take on the song. The solos are actually well thought out, and complement their specific songs, an art that seems more and more rare. Peter Tagtgren's production job is amazing, proving that he is no one trick pony. It's amazing that he can be so successful at this sound AND the modern Scandinavian sound as well.

    Well, Wolf have made a new fan and inspired me to pick up their back catalogue. Evil Star will be well represented on a lot of year-end lists, so get in on the fun. One word review: METAL!
    5 out of 5
    ABYSS  Email Abyss

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