Band : Wolverine
Album title : Communication Lost
Label : Candlelight Records - PHD
Distributor : Bertus
Release Date : 23/05/2011
Release : CD

Although existing since 1995, in those 15 years Wolverine have only released 3 full albums so far.  With this album their fourth release they will not become a major player on the metal scene I’m afraid.  Which is quite sad, because they’ve delivered a very good album, but in the mass of releases it might go by unnoticed I’m afraid.

Yet the album has certain qualities.  Some songs by their athmosphere, remind me a bit of Depeche Mode, even if they play a different genre of music, but the vibes are there.  A bit of melancholy and despair in the lyrics,  backed up by some good music.  Most of the songs are more mid-tempo, with the occasional harder and faster part in them.  Certain songs remind me of Evergrey, but on a softer scale.

And although most of the songs are mid tempo, the album never gets boring.  Each and every song seems to have just the right mix of ingredients to hold your interest.  Top that of with just the right vocals for these songs, and just the right instruments at the right moment, and you’ve got a very good album.  This is just the kind of music to put on at evening, after a stressfull day, and enjoy with a good glass of wine or a superb Scotch single malt Whisky. After a few spins, you’ll start to notice the lyrics, which are indeed rather melancholical even dark mooted at some times, but hey, at last these guys want to tell you a story.  There’s one song that even gave me gooseflesh, and that’s ‘Poison Ivy’.    Two other very good songs are ‘What Remains’, and ‘In Memory Of Me’, but to tell you which song is my all time favorite is very hard, since they’re all very good.

What’s striking is the repeated use of classical instruments, and on the other hand the very modern sound of some songs (take ‘Pulse’ for instance).  Yet these classical instruments flawlessly blend in with the modern instruments.  Not that many bands can manage that. I’d never before heard anything from this band, but I’ve become an instant fan. Can’t wait till they bring out a new album.

98/100

Erik Morren.