SIGN OF THE WOLF – Sign Of The Wolf (2025) *HQ*
SIGN OF THE WOLF is the brainchild of Fireworks Magazine editor Bruce Mee, who along with Fredrik Folkare (Eclipse, Nordic Union) set out to write an album in the style of the seminal classic Dio-fronted albums of the mid-Seventies and early-Eighties. It’s all good and well having the idea, but can you get the right calibre of personnel to carry it off? Well, other than the aforementioned Folklare (rhythm guitar) and Mark Boals (bass), the other musicians in the group are all heavyweights who have a direct/indirect connection to the legendary Ronnie James Dio.
The band will release their self-titled debut “Sign Of The Wolf” on Escape Music, where ex-Rainbow keyboard wizard Tony Carey conjures up memories of ‘Tarot Woman’ with album opener ‘The Last Unicorn’, and his interactions with lead guitarist Doug Aldrich (Dio) are a feature that reprises throughout the nine tracks on offer.
The rhythm section is a real powerhouse, with Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) on drums, accompanied by Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot / House Of Lords) and Boals on bass, with keboard contributions by Mark Mangold (Touch, Keys, Drive She Said) and Steve Mann – (Lionheart, MSG, Lonerider)
That just leaves vocalist Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), whose performance here is arguably one of his greatest ever; powerful verses, complemented by huge memorable choruses. Add to that an excellent mixing and mastering by Folkare… and you have yourself one hell of an album.
The fast and thunderous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ (German translation: “Work Sets You Free”) is a fusion of ‘Thunder And Lightning’ era Thin Lizzy and Dio’s ‘Stand Up & Shout’. The (sadly) late, great John Sykes comparisons continue with the melodic ‘Still Me’ and ‘Bouncing Betty’, reminiscent of Blue Murder, with more outstanding solos from Aldrich.
Freeman and Aldrich shine on the presentiment ‘Silent Killer’, whilst ‘Rainbow’s End’ is more modern feeling, and the epic ‘Rage Of Angels’ features another grandiose Carey keyboard intro.
‘Murder At Midnight’ perfectly exhibits how Metal can be heavy and melodic at the same time. The Herculean title track concludes the album in magnificent style; think ‘Heaven And Hell’ meets ‘Stargazer’.
Folkare and Mee set out to produce an album that evoked memories of the classic Dio-fronted albums (without ever plagiarising them). Therefore, it’s safe to say, mission accomplished – this is an Album of the Year contender.
Highly Recommended
01 – The Last Unicorn
02 – Arbeit Macht Frei
03 – Still Me
04 – Silent Killer
05 – Rainbows End
06 – Rage of Angels
07 – Murder at Midnight
08 – Bouncing Betty
09 – Sign of the Wolf
Andrew Freeman (Last In Line) – Vocals
Doug Aldrich (Dead Daisies, Whitesnake, Dio, Hurricane) – Guitars
Fredrik Folkare (Eclipse) – Guitars, Bass
Steve Morris (Heartland, Lonerider, Ian Gillan Band) – Guitars
Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio, LastIn Line) – Drums
Josh Devine (One Direction, Lavera, Turkish Delight) – Drums
Johan Kullberg (Hammerfall) – Drums
Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot) – Bass
Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire) – Bass, Backing Vocals
Tony Carey (Rainbow) – Keyboards
Mark Mangold (Touch, Keys, Drive She Said) – Keyboards, Organ
Steve Mann – (Lionheart, MSG, Lonerider, OuseyMann) – Keyboards
Pre order:
amazon.com/Sign-Wolf/dp/B0DYS6DKGN
