Album review: SIGN OF THE WOLF
Escape Music [Release date 25.04.25]
Sign of the Wolf’s debut album is an interesting one as it was created by Fireworks magazine’s Bruce Mee, who wanted to bring back that gloriously epic and melodic hard rock sound from the early 80s but also featuring the musicians who actually played on those seminal albums or in the bands.
So, Sign of the Wolf features amongst others former Rainbow keyboards wizard Tony Carey, ex-Dio, Sabbath drummer Vinnie Appice, bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, House of Lords), guitarist Doug Aldrich (Dio, Whitesnake), Lionheart & MSG’s Steve Mann and Touch’s master of the keys, Mark Mangold.
That’s before you get to the vocal department which features Last In Line’s Andrew Freeman and Mark Boals on backing vocals. Also, Fredrik Folkare (Eclipse, Nordic Union) co-wrote most of the songs with Bruce Mee.
What’s not to love about the Tony Carey intro on ‘Rage of Angels’, where the song has a real Tony Martin era Sabbath feel about it. The guitar solo is also a thing of beauty. As the old saying goes, “they don’t make them like they used too” err, but they do as this song proves.
‘The Last Unicorn’ features a similarly grandiose Carey intro before the keys do musical battle with the guitars and pounding rhythm section. The keys and guitar solos are things of musical wonder. This really is top notch music folks.
‘Bouncing Betty’ is the one weak link, not quite matching the quality surrounding it elsewhere on the album.
‘Arbeit Macht Frei’, roughly translates as work sets you free. The song is a fast-paced hard rocker sounding like a long-lost Dio song from the ‘Holy Diver’ or ‘Last In Line’ albums. Melodic rocker ‘Still Me’ has the modern feel of an Eclipse tune, whilst the chorus and riff are prime time Rainbow.
The epic title track sees the album out in fine style. Plenty going on musically and again, Andrew Freeman does sound uncannily like Tony Martin on this one!
Sign of the Wolf is a ‘must have’ for any lover of the classic albums that featured the late, great Ronnie James Dio. Having such a high calibre of musicians, plus songs created to sound like the late 70’s/early 80s, is a winning combination. Not so much a tribute, more a continuation of the musical magic first created by Ronnie Dio and fellow musicians. ****
Review by Jason Ritchie
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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025
THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 21 April 2025
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
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