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Lord Volture: Never Cry Wolf
Lord Volture Never Cry Wolf album new music review

Lord Volture: Never Cry Wolf

Heavy Metal
3.5/5.0

Independent/Unsigned
Website Facebook Twitter MySpace
by Craig Hartranft,  10.31.2011

Their sophomore album, Never Cry Wolf, is my first experience with The Netherlands Lord Volture. They've been compared with US metal bands such as Jag Panzer, Cage, and the mighty Iced Earth. Good company to keep, but you can cloak Lord Volture in the larger garment of 80's metal. There's a bit of thrash, lots of speed and power, metal wrapped in melodic and often blistering package.

The strengths of Lord Volture are three-fold. The first is elemental: they have a sound command of their chosen metal genre. Next is the inspired, precise, and galloping rhythm section. Third is the lightning twin guitar assault in the solos. It all makes for a delicious metal mixture, especially that latter part. However, the weak link here is in the vocals. I don't think David Marcelis can sing. Scream, yes. Mostly, that's what he does here. He's better when his vocals are worked into the larger, and often harmonious, vocal arrangement with the other band members. If it weren't for the strength of music, I could have nearly passed on Never Cry Wolf. To the music then.

Accepting a few tracks, here and there, that didn't agree with my ears, this is solid classic heavy metal. Of particular interest are the several songs that begin with a lengthy instrumental intro including Taiga, Into the Lair of the Lion (Scott Peck of Cage adds vocals), and the closer Wolf at Your Door. All three are rather brisk, showing off that great rhythm section and fiery fluid fret work. Conversely, they also display the ear-torturing screamo lead vocals. On Taiga, in particular, Marcelis seems off the rails. I could certainly do without him.

Overall, then, on Never Cry Wolf Lord Volture shows off their classic Eighties heavy metal skills. It's well-paced, heavy, and melodic with lots of terrific guitar work. Get it for the music and forbear with the vocals. Recommended.





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In Short

On Never Cry Wolf Lord Volture shows off their classic Eighties heavy metal skills. It's well-paced, heavy, and melodic with lots of terrific guitar work. Get it for the music and forbear with the vocals.

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