WOLFPAKK – Rise Of The Animal (2015)

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For the third time the roaring wolves are back, the Hard Rock / Melodic Metal all-star pack known as WOLFPAKK. Led by the turbulent duo of vocalists Mark Sweeney (ex Crystal Ball) and the omnipresent Michael Voss, the band will release their new CD entitled “Rise Of The Animal“ on February 27th.

The duet of Alpha Wolves are still working as a strong creative team with the same focus, and the original spirit is still intact: high-class traditional heavy sound, yet this time pretty melodic hard rock oriented at places.
The cast list of guests reads like a veritable rock & metal who’s who. Based on the pedigree present, “Rise Of The Animal” promises great things. Happily, I can report, it delivers on those promises… in spades.
The talented binomial of Voss / Sweeney wrote all the songs together except for the lubricious hit-single “Sock It To Me” and the title track that was made with the helping hand of Axe player Martin Rauber (he’s also in charge of all the guitars in “High Roller”).
They were also responsible for the production and the mixing duties, and of course they performed some ferocious lead vocals in duet or trio with the sublime collaboration of a famous bunch of Metal screamers.

From the outset they nail their colours firmly to the mast with the mighty “Rider Of The Storm”. With its relentless bass drum rhythm courtesy of crazy hitter Mike Terrana driving this untamed beast of a song, howling and stalking it’s prey complete with that classic, semi-martial vocal arrangement we all know and love… add to that a razor sharp guitar and what we have is the set up for a great album.

However, you will note that the whole sound design for this new album is more tagged in the ’80s sing-along orientation, maybe a little less Germanic than the early albums.
Of course some part of the tunes are especially crafted for the guest vocalists, like the chorus of the hard rock anthem “Monkey On Your Back”, which is clearly designed for the Ted Poley vocal style. The ‘hair metal’ impression is even reinforced by the Guitar solo of Casablanca’s leader Ryan Roxie. This song alone worth the CD.
One of the highlights is of course the epic “Highlands” even if I think that the voice of the almighty Joe Lynn Turner is underemployed, the song is clearly a winner in the Euro metal style.

“Sock It To Me” does exactly what it says on the tin with it’s classic ’80s Sunset Strip glam vibe and sensibilities with a 21st century upgrade (call me nuts but this one sounds a lot like the new Skid Row).
“Black Wolf” is quite metallic but in a midtempo mode, featuring the hyper-talented Rick Altzi forming a trio of voices matching perfectly this piece that starts with an acoustic intro, and where the gang backing vocal chorus is particularly efficient.
Swedish champion John Norum is giving his six strings maximum for the very predictable yet enjoyable double kick driven cut “Somewhere Beyond”, with also the ubiquitous David Reece on vocals.

The next track “Running Out of Time” contains some great performances by Don Dokken & Doug Aldrich and it’s an instant favorite of mine. Clever arrangements, sharp riffs and fine vocals all over.
Then “Grizzly Man”, ready for the hunt, makes his presence known with a classy metal feel, very Eighties, very melodic ala 220 Volt. Meanwhile, “High Roller” delivers more glam than a centrefolds convention in Las Vegas. Complete with it’s mid ’80s guitar swagger and ‘rent a crowd’ chorus it cruises along effortlessly looking for and having a great time.

Another outstanding moment of the album arrives with the epic title track “Rise Of The Animal”, with the impressive Mr. Kiske who provide his typical high flux of ultrasonic pitch yelling, embellished by a fast pace and a dramatic dimension.
At the final slot, the semi-sympho track “Universe” is somewhat ordinary. Even if the soprano vocals of Miss Michaela Schober are quite good, I can’t connect with the melodic stream and the shift of style.

Wolfpakk’s third offering “Rise Of The Animal“ is their best work to date, without a doubt.
There’s something for everyone here; classic Euro metal, ’80s hard rock, a bit of glam / hair metal, great guitar solos by stupendous guests, and very good production.
All is extremely polished and carefully arranged, and despite the mix of styles, tremendously effective in its cohesion.
A remarkable 3rd effort by Wolfpakk.

01. Rider Of The Storm
02. Sock It To Me
03. Monkey on Your Back
04. Highlands
05. Black Wolf
06. Somewhere Beyond
07. Running Out of Time
08. Grizzly Man
09. High Roller
10. Rise of the Animal
11. Universe

Mark Sweeney (ex-Crystal Ball) – Vocals
Michael Voss (Mad Max, Michael Schenker) – Vocals, Bass

Vocals:
Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic)
Andi Deris (Helloween)
Ted Poley (Danger Danger)
Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, Malmsteen)
Rick Altzi (Masterplan)
David Reece
Charlie Huhn (Ex-Gary Moore, Foghat)
Don Dokken
Marc Storace (Krokus)
Michaela Schober (Tanz der Vampire)
Jean-Marc Viller (Callaway)

Bass:
Bob Daisley (Ex- Gary Moore, Black Sabbath, Ozzy)
Al Barrow (Magnum)
Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian)

Guitars:
Jeff Watson (Night Ranger)
Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper, Casablanca)
Bernie Torme (Ozzy Osbourne)
John Norum (Europe)
Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio, Foreigner)
Axel Rudi Pell
Martin Rauber (Top4Tea)

Keyboards:
Chris Ivo (Ex- Jaded Heart)
Pablo Allen (Skiltron)

Drums:
Mike Terrana (Tarja, Ex-Stratovarius, Yngwie)
Mark Schulman (Billy Idol)
Simon Philips (Ex- Toto)
Chris Slade (Ex- AC/DC)

PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.co.uk/Rise-Animal-Wolfpakk/dp/B00QR3D93O
shop.afm-records.de/en/wolfpakk-rise-of-the-animal-en.html
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