FIREWOLFE – We Rule The Night (2014)

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After their indie self-titled debut three years ago, rockers FIREWOLFE signed a worldwide deal for the release of their second CD “We Rule The Night“. It is easy to see why this all-star group got picked up by Limb records, this record ‘rule’ indeed.
It’s understandable, as FireWolfe is fronted by David Fefolt (Fifth Angel, Hawk, Masi). He has a great voice and his work with Fifth Angel is a cult classic. But there’s more, somewhat to my surprise – and delight – Jay Schellen (Hurricane, Unruly Child) is hitting the drums here.

Founded by guitarist Nick Layton and completed with Bobby Ferkovich (Heir Apparent, Presto Ballet) on bass, FireWölfe, despite its name, it’s a US band. And they play pure ’80s US metal / hard rock with passion.

The music on display for these 10 heart-pounding, guitar-shredding, fist-pumping, melodic anthems is very much a continuation of the legendary Eighties sound – most of the tracks very lean, featuring natural guitar hooks and vocal melodies / harmonies that submerge very quickly into the recess of your brain.
Lyrically touching on the love for the genre (“The Devil’s Music” and the title track), plus love and inner turmoil / struggles, the musical style has a lot of early DIO, Fifth Angel, Burning Starr and others who seemed to straddle that line between great, catchy hard rock and traditional metal – very anthem-oriented.

Turning on the exotic charm for “Betrayal’s Kiss”, a lot of Layton’s steamy lead breaks remind you of some of George Lynch’s best work during the Dokken heyday, and perhaps some Impelliteri. Then the rhythm section is solid as titanium, with deep bass lines and Schellen flying on the skins.
David Fefolt possesses the ideal multi-octave voice that traditional listeners of the genre desire – soaring when necessary, but very heart-felt and endearing to the average fan.
“Long Road Home” and “Luck of the Draw” are among of his more memorable performances; imagine a smoother Marq Torien from BulletBoys if given a Fifth angel makeover.
FireWolfe know how to mix up the tempos and dynamics to keep the album pulsating – the more commercially sounding hard rocker “Late Last Night” gives way to a really emotional ballad like “A Senator’s Gun”.

On “We Rule The Night” FireWolfe have perfectly blended American metal framework with hard rock and a touch of European sensibility ala Fate that few bands were ever able to perfect, except perhaps bands like Dokken and Scorpions at their heaviest.
This is a killer rocking album that I feel will really appeal to an older headbanger crowd and show the younger generation how it was done without gimmicks. It is a truly sophisticated, mature and well-rounded kick ass album.
There’s no Glam within “We Rule The Night”; no traces of anger either, just feel-good heavy rockers. You don’t hear many bands like FireWolfe these days – so this is a welcome sight.
Very Recommended.

01 – We Rule the Night
02 – The Devil’s Music
03 – Late Last Night
04 – A Senator’s Gun
05 – Long Road Home
06 – Who’s Gonna Love You?
07 – Ready to Roll
08 – Betrayal’s Kiss
09 – Luck of the Draw
10 – Dream Child

David Fefolt – Vocals
Nick Layton – Guitars
Bobby Ferkovich – Bass
Jay Schellen – Drums

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