Search - Grand Magus :: Wolfs Return

Overlooked gem

king wolf | Jotunheim | 08/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is doom-flavored straight heavy metal that sounds a lot like classic Danzig, only more "metal" and with a much deeper, heavier bottom end. Gorgeous sinister riffs, amazing vocals (and not the normal high pitched wailing of metal, but real singing), and quite good vocal melodies.



The whole thing is super, but the first half of this disc is really amazing, culminating in "Blood Oath", which is a summary of what makes this band so good. I don't know how to describe it. Smouldering, smoking, muscular, intimidating heavy metal grooves interwoven with sophisticated, wolfish, Nordic lyrics and vocals.



This really couldn't get much better. It's the same old sad story, great bands get overlooked while generic junk dominates the public attention..."

Hail Grand Magus!

Tom Chase | London | 01/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album makes me think Grand Magus are actually warrior Vikings on a mission to takeover the metal world. The back cover art shows bloody hands with warrior type armour, grasping through the rain. And the track titles - "Kingslayer", "Wolf's Return" and a host of Scandinavian sounding tracks - boosts such vibes.



"Wolf's Return" is the bands third album, following two excellent outings into classic bluesy doom/stoner metal. With this album the band seem to be going into a more classic metal direction, wearing influences such as Judas Priest, Maiden and Sabbath on their sleeves. And this really isn't a bad thing, songs such as the opener with its galloping march and the title track with JB's almost operatic chorus delivery, which is again reflected by "Repay In Kind" with its `old school' sounding chorus. The band also delve back into their roots with the chilling doom mastery of "Nine" which has a really killer lead riff, and the closing "Ashes".



Add some tasty Norwegian atmospherics to the overall mix and you have one excellent Scandy metal CD. My only complaint being the length, it is simply too short to be a 5 star album.

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