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Wig Wam: Out Of The Dark
Wig Wam - Out Of The Dark Album Art

Wig Wam: Out Of The Dark

Melodic Metal Rock
4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 06.02.2023 | Released: 10.02.2023

About the time I created Dangerdog Music Reviews, I discovered Norway rockers Wig Wam. These four wild and crazy dudes, dressed like a cross between New York Dolls and Village People, were delivering the most fundamental, and catchy, classic melodic glam hard rock. With 2006's Wig Wamania and the Japanese live album Live In Tokyo which followed, I was hooked. These were top notch albums; what followed with the next two albums, not all that much. But I remained a fan even when they took a hiatus after 2012's Wall Street. The quartet made their resurrection with 2021's Never Say Die, a bit different sounding album (more about this in the next paragraph) which didn't even chart in their native country.

Wig Wam Click For Larger Image

Wig Wam

Now the mighty Wig Wam returns with their latest and seventh studio album. As hinted above, with Never Say Die, Wig Wam made something of a hard and heavy right turn in their musical style. Gone was the poppy, colorful, double entendre glam rock style. Sure, Wig Wam remains characteristically theatrically wardrobed, but their musical style turns more upon melodic metal rock. It's heavy, punchier, yet still filled with song melody and rock groove. I think this spin began way back with Wall Street, but that's me speculating.



This heavy metal rock is self-evident within many songs, such as Forevermore, Uppercut Shazam, the steady High N Dry, God By Your Side, and perhaps the chunky The American Dream. Ghosting You turns more on straight forward heavy rock with the two riffs but mostly the tight and thick bottom end. To these ears, the guitar instrumental 79 turns on something of a blues groove. The song definitely showcases some of Teeny's (Trond Holter) finest guitar work to date. For a anthemic ballad, Wig Wam provides The Purpose, in parts heavy, in others turning upon vocal harmony. Perhaps the most diverse song here is Sailor And The Desert Sun. Not to call it prog but it does add some twists and Holter's guitar work shines again.

All things considered, with Out Of The Dark Wig Wam makes the complete turn from former glitzy glam rock to heavier melodic metal rock. Yet they do this without dismissing their talent for song melody and harmony, catchy refrains and groove. I can dig it. Easily recommended.



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The Take Away

With Out Of The Dark Wig Wam makes the complete turn from former glitzy glam rock to heavier melodic metal rock. Yet they do this without dismissing their talent for song melody and harmony, catchy refrains and groove. I can dig it. Easily recommended.

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