WOLFPAKK – Cry Wolf (2013)
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The allstar-project WOLFPAKK led by Mark Sweeney (ex- Crystal Ball) and Michael Voss (Mad Max, Casanova) was releasing two years ago its good debut simply titled ‘Wolfpakk’. Today the duo unleash the successor “Cry Wolf”, featuring many high-class guest musicians like Kee Marcello, Don Airey, Tony Carey, Göran Edman, Johnny Gioeli, Doogie White and more.
The hard ‘n heavy style of its predecessor this time is additivated with a more polished sound still retaining some strong melodic metal overtones.
The ‘Duet of Alpha Wolves’ Sweeney / Voss not only share the lead vocals (Sweeney taken the most) but also penned all the songs – minus the good cover of Rainbow’s “Run With The Wolf” with the participation of iconic keyboard player Tony Carey – and were at charge, once again, for production and mixing duty.
“Cry Wolf” features eleven tracks plenty of force and bite (from a wolf, of course) with a characteristical European / German sound, attack and precision.
Since the fast paced opener “Moonlight”, a razor sharp monster rocker, Sweeney & Michael Voss states clear where they wish to drive you; frenzy ’80s inspired hard ‘n heavy with a modern approach. Featuring the guest screams of Ralf Scheepers, this is an effective ‘big sounding’ opener.
Turning more melodic in the vein of Germans Victory or perhaps the heaviest Bonfire, follower “A Matter of Time” keeps the motor runnin’ with Sweeney showing his best vocal chops on pair with Johnny Gioeli, all supported by the solid drumming of guest Brian Tichy. A highlight.
The storm is tempered with the sweet ballad “Cold Winter” where the beautiful vocals Amanda Somerville offers a nice counterpart to Sweeney / Voss leads, creating a nice atmosphere, before the rhythm gets up again with the heavy and dark “Palace Of Gold”, featuring Tony Mills and a massive multi-layer backing vocal section choir, like a symphonic version of DIO merged with a delicate and fragile Prog Rock melody.
We have a powerful delivey on “The Beast In Me” with the always classy singing of Goran Edman, recalling his old days with Yngwie’s Rising Force. Goran was wisely chosen for this track as it has some kind of a neo-classical touch, adorned with a great solo by Roland Grapow.
Wolfpakk loves traditional hard rock too, and “Pressure Down” rocks a in groovy semi-midtempo pace where Doogie White feels like a fish in the water. There’s a very good harmony arrangement during the three-part vocal chorus.
Title track “Cry Wolf” is an energetic ten-minute poignant epic composition with interesting breaks, sound effects, a surprisingly clean vocal interpretation by Blaze Bayley and a superb solo by Kee Marcello. A solid, elaborated number.
At this age of time, what Wolfpakk offers to you in “Cry Wolf” is considered classic hard rock; classic structures with an updated and polished production, sharp riffage, ‘big’ rhythm section, elaborated solos and truly good vocals. Solid songwriting in the traditional mould, yet effective and with an edgy, meaty delivery.
“Cry Wolf” roars (or better, howls), and in a very good form.
Recommended.
01 – Moonlight
02 – A Matter of Time
03 – Dark Revelation
04 – Cold Winter
05 – Palace of Gold
06 – The Beast in Me
07 – Wakken
08 – Pressure Down
09 – Run With the Wolf
10 – Cry Wolf
11 – Kid Raw [feat. Hermann Rarebell] (bonus track)
Mark Sweeney – Vocals
Michael Voss – Vocals, Bass, Guitar
Mike Winkler – Bass
Guest Vocals:
Amanda Somerville (KISKE / SOMERVILLE)
Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR)
Göran Edman (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Johnny Gioeli (AXEL RUDI PELL, HARDLINE)
Doogie White (ex-RAINBOW, MICHAEL SCHENKER)
Tony Mills (SHY, TNT)
Blaze Bayley (ex-IRON MAIDEN)
Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR)
Jean-Marc Viller (CALLAWAY)
Guest Guitars:
Kee Marcello (ex-EUROPE)
Mandy Meyer (KROKUS, ex-GOTTHARD)
Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN)
Martin Rauber (TOP4TEA)
Guest Keyboards:
Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE)
Tony Carey (ex-Rainbow)
Guest Drums:
Gereon Homann (EAT THE GUN)
Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE)
Hermann Rarebell (ex-SCORPIONS)
Roland Jahoda (ex-PARADOX, F.U.C.K.)
BUY IT !
www.emp.de/art_264061
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