Sign Of The Wolf - 'Sign Of The Wolf'

Folkare and Mee set out to produce an album that evoked memories of the classic Dio-fronted albums (without ever plagiarising them)...

A werewolf lunges forward in a dynamic pose on a textured, dark background. Red text at the bottom reads "Sign of the Wolf."

Sign Of The Wolf is the brainchild of Fireworks Editor Bruce Mee, who along with Fredrik Folkare (Eclipse, Nordic Union) set out to write an album in the style of the seminal classic Dio-fronted albums of the mid-seventies and early-eighties. It’s all good and well having the idea, but can you get the right calibre of personnel to carry it off? Well, other than the aforementioned Folklare (rhythm guitar) and Mark Boals (bass), the other musicians in the group are all heavyweights who have a direct/indirect connection to the legendary Ronnie James Dio.

Ex-Rainbow keyboard wizard Tony Carey conjures up memories of ‘Tarot Woman’ with album opener ‘The Last Unicorn’, and his interactions with lead guitarist Doug Aldrich (Dio) are a feature that reprises throughout the nine tracks on offer. The rhythm section is a real powerhouse, with Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio) on drums, accompanied by Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot/House Of Lords) and the aforementioned Boals on bass. That just leaves vocalist Andrew Freeman (Last In Line), whose performance here is arguably his greatest ever; powerful verses, complemented by huge memorable choruses. Add to that a top-notch production by Escape’s Khalil Turk, plus excellent mixing and mastering by Folkare... and you have yourself one hell of an album.

The fast and thunderous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ (German translation: “Work Sets You Free”) is a fusion of ‘Thunder And Lightning’ era Thin Lizzy and Dio’s ‘Stand Up & Shout’. The (sadly) late, great John Sykes comparisons continue with the melodic ‘Still Me’ and ‘Bouncing Betty’, reminiscent of Blue Murder, with more outstanding solos from Aldrich.

Freeman and Aldrich shine on the presentiment ‘Silent Killer’, whilst ‘Rainbow’s End’ is more modern feeling, and the epic ‘Rage Of Angels’ features another grandiose Carey keyboard intro. ‘Murder At Midnight’ perfectly exhibits how Metal can be heavy and melodic at the same time. The Herculean title track concludes the album in magnificent style; think ‘Heaven And Hell’ meets ‘Stargazer’.

Those thinking I’ve just sucked up to the boss... think again. Folkare and Mee set out to produce an album that evoked memories of the classic Dio-fronted albums (without ever plagiarising them); within three listens, I had gone back and listened to ‘Rising’, ‘Heaven And Hell’ and ‘Mob Rules’. Therefore, it’s safe to say, mission accomplished. Mark my words, “this is an Album of the Year contender.”

Reviewer: Mark Donnelly

Label: Escape Music

Genre: Hard Rock

Issue Reviewed In: 110

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