Wolfpakk | Wolfpakk
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer —
Wolfpakk is a new melodic metal project put together by vocalists Mark Sweeney and Michael Voss. That fact alone – that the voices of Crystal Ball and Mad Max/Casanova (respectively) are teaming up – would be reason for most fans of European style melodic metal to take notice. If that doesn’t grab your attention though, check out the impressive list of guest vocalists that make an appearance on Wolfpakk’s self-titled debut: Paul Di’Anno (ex-Iron Maiden), Tony Martin (ex-Black Sabbath), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Rob Rock (Impelliteri), Mark Boals (Holy Force), Tim “Ripper” Owens (Charred Walls of the Damned), Paul Shortino (King Kobra), Mark Fox (ex-Shakra) and more. On the musician side, bassists Tony Franklin (ex-Blue Murder), Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner), Neil Murray (ex-Whitesnake) and guitarists Tommy Denander (Paul Stanley), Freddy Scherer (Gotthard), Torsten Koehne (Eden’s Curse) all lend a hand.
Well, all the guest appearances in the world won’t make up for a lack of quality songwriting, but fortunately Wolfpakk has one of the best songwriters in melodic rock and metal in Michael Voss. And Mark Sweeney is no slouch either. They’ve put together an album that takes advantage of each other’s strengths and really captures that European melodic metal style and energy. It’s got a decent sense of heaviness, but melody is the main focus. The guests provide backing vocals and the occasional lead, but Sweeny and Voss handle the lion’s share of the vocals, with each taking roughly half of the songs on the album. This isn’t a bad thing, as both turn in great performances, but it seems a shame to have this many high-caliber singers and not let them take a greater role.
Highlights of the Wolfpakk debut include the single hard-hitting but very catchy “Reptile’s Kiss,” the anthemic “Slam Down the Hammer” and the 10-minute symphonic epic “Wolfony,” but there really isn’t a dull moment to be found.
The star power alone ought to make Wolfpakk’s debut a must-have release for most melodic metal fans. That it’s a really good album is the icing on the cake. Fans of Sweeney and Voss’s work in Crystal Ball, Casanova and Mad Max in particular will want to check this album out, but Wolfpakk will also appeal to fans of similar bands like Evidence One, Shakra, Chalice and Pink Cream 69.
Genre: Melodic Metal
Band:
Mark Sweeney (v)
Michael Voss (v)
Track Listing:
1. Sirens
2. Dark Horizons
3. Lost
4. Slam Down the Hammer
5. The Crow
6. Wolfpup
7. Let Me Die
8. Reptile’s Kiss
9. Ride the Bullet
10. Wolfony
Label: AFM
Website: www.wolfpakk.net
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.25/10