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[ More Music Reviews ]

Nocturne Wulf: Nocturne Wulf

Heavy/Speed/Thrash Metal

4.5/5.0

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Unsigned/Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 10.07.2019 | Released: 19.07.2019

Hailing from Glasgow, Nocturne Wulf is a new metal band taking the Scottish highlands and the English countryside by storm. Formed a mere three years ago, the band arrives with their first full-length album, simply self-titled and self-released.

Nocturne Wolf

With this review I'm loathe to bore you with details. Rather my first impressions still remain. Nocturne Wulf reminds me of Metallica. Not modern Metallica, but early Metallica perhaps through And Justice For All or the black album. Nocturne Wulf has the similar riffs, thrash, speed, and epic guitar solos of those early days. Perhaps the only difference is that vocalist Bob McDougall doesn't sound entirely like James Hetfield. Sure he can sound gravel tongued like Hetfield, but McDougall has more range, singing classic melodic metal to screamo. You'll hear the Metallica vibe with many and most songs but notably with such tunes as Gunslinger, Necrodancer, Stormage, or Troll Hunter.

Alternatively, Nocturne Wulf also reminds of classic and traditional New Wave of Briitsh Heavy Metal ala Iron Maiden, offering plenty of twin guitar harmony, more moderate pacing, greater vocal and guitar harmony and, of course, the necessary abundant guitar solos. You might find this motif with Hell's Heart, The Druid, Barbarian, or The Wolf. Yet, in the same breath, we might say Nocturne Wulf is borrowing the best from both worlds. Nevertheless, anyway you might describe them, with their speed, fury, and rip-roaring guitar work, Nocturne Wulf raises high the flag of traditional keep it true heavy metal, and that makes their debut album a mighty one. Recommended.

Jolly: Family

Melodic Progressive Rock

4.5/5.0

I had wondered what happened to New York's Jolly. So I was pleasantly surprised when their fourth album, Family, came my way. Several years back Jolly decided to ... [ Read More ]

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Anyway you might describe them, with their speed, fury, and rip-roaring guitar work, Nocturne Wulf raises high the flag of traditional keep it true heavy metal, and that makes their debut album a mighty one. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

By far, Sweden's Eclipse is one of my favorite bands. Always consistent and always entertaining, Eclipse has been delivering their 21st century version of melodic metal rock since songwriter, producer ... [ Read More ]