Wolves

Deadlock has always been a band I enjoyed listening to, but just like their "Manifesto" and "Earth.Revolt" albums, this album is plagued with their inconsistent song writing.

I would be lying to deny their talent and ability to write good music, but somewhere along their recording process they seem to lose a spark. They write brilliant, catchy (at the same time heavy) and melodic music, but the flame seems to dim halfway through the recording process. One song is good, the next is crap. This pattern repeats all throughout Wolves (it changes up a bit such as two good songs, three shitty ones). They should take out the garbage songs and make an EP because the shitty ones are some of the worst filler tracks you'll ever hear... and yet, the good songs are FANTASTIC. It's a shame this album is saturated in polar opposites because if they were consistent, their music would be classic (albeit their pro-vegan lyrics that they love to force down your throat). What makes the shitty tracks even worse is that you can TELL when they're not trying anymore. Sabine, who is a phenomenal singer, emits a lot less energy, the music is a lot less melodic and the male vocalist never seems to shut the fuck up. On the good tracks, you have tons of melody, a powerful and memorable chorus, and the growls/cleans share a good ratio. Had most of the filler tracks contained more Sabine, they would be good. Don't get me wrong, I like music that is just pure growls, but when you base your music around having a female vocalist sing catchy shit, you can't really abandon it and expect those songs to be good.

Anyway, the musicians know how to play their shit. Their skill is laudable to be modest. They may not be technical masterminds et al Protest the Hero or The Faceless, but when the flame is burning bright, the two guitarists utilize and understand their roles correctly, having dual solos at times or having subtle melodies that sub-consciously appeal to you and so on and so forth. The drummer, while good, isn't a highlight on this album. The major highlight is the memorable melody topped off with Sabine's INCREDIBLE singing voice. A big bonus is the production on this album is damn near perfect. With the exception of the bassist, every instrument is definitive yet mixes well. Definitely another highlight.

Overall, I'm pretty disappointed with this record. I think it could have done better as an EP because the filler tracks ruin the flow. Not to mention, they put a dent in their credibility by making it apparent they lost inspiration halfway through this.

Since there's so many filler tracks, the best thing to do is get the following songs: "We Shall All Bleed", "Code of Honor", "Dark Cell", "Crown of Creation" and "End Begins."

Why did this band get such a low rating you may ask yourself? In my opinion this is by far the most awesome album this band has ever made, and I love it. This is now my favorite band of all time. I can’t wait for their next CD to come out. Even though some people don’t like this band I love them they have great song structure, their lyrics are very impressive, and they play their instruments like pros.

But what I’ am confused about is why these fucking people rate this band so low. They are one of the most different and interesting bands I have ever heard of. They are very inconsistent but that’s why I LOVE THEM. Their different style really makes deadlock special from typical death bands which there are too many of those out there. I believe more bands need to explore the kind of style Deadlock is cause this album is dark death metal at its finest!

In the 7th song End Begins they start the song with a very catchy techno beat then jump into the main rift of the song which in my opinion is PERFECTLY FUCKING AWESOME. Then their growler comes in with a deep shocking growl which makes you go holy fucking shit that’s awesome. His growls are perfect for this band he makes it sound so dark which is such a cool effect. The growler/screamer is by far one of the best vocalists I’ve heard in awhile. His voice is so deep with such emotion and depth to his voice that you have to love it.

Also in the song they have a techno beat towards the end. I personally think that this is fucking awesome. You don’t find metal bands out there that use techno in their albums. In my opinion I believe Deadlock has a lot going for them with which way they are going, I love this band more than any band I’ve heard. Then after the techno beat the guitarist solo and play it perfectly with flying colors. The guitars in the band have their guitars toned exactly right and play every rift to their absolute best of their ability which is impressive and I love them for it

Sabine Weniger has a very angelic voice. In "Code of Honor", "Dark Cell", "Crown of Creation", "End Begins", and "To Where the Skies are Blue" are some of her best songs which really show her range and pureness in her voice. "To Where the Skies are Blue" is just her and a piano which gives the band such an atmosphere that you have to love what they do. In my opinion I believe her voice with this band sounds so absolutely amazing. I can tell she has had some singing lesions because every time I hear her voice it sounds like she is singing right in front of me.

For a band with only 3 albums out I think this band needs a higher rating on this website, for 3 main things.

1. Being different and interesting

2. For awesome vocals from both vocalist

3. Guitar work is insane for a dark metal band

Deadlock has a lot of skill and talent in their band. They have created a perfect and unique album which is why they are my favorite band. They have a perfect screamer, a very talented female vocalist, and very impressive guitar work for a band with only 3 CDs out. I think everyone needs to check out this band because they are fucking awesome in so many ways.

I really cannot fathom why people would complain about this CD. In a melodeath scene that has been anything but stellar "Wolves" offers a unique look on the scene and does a damn good job of it. Mixed in with the melodeath you'll find piano and classical melodies, techno breakdowns, female vocals and just some of the best sounding music I've heard recently.

There's no real point in mentioning the intro because, well, it's an intro.

The CD starts out brilliantly with a spurt of double kicks followed by a wonderfully growled come on motherfuckers. As enticed as I was? From this point I had to at least finish the CD, since that first 10 seconds of the first real song sent chills through my entire body. The remainder of "We All Shall Bleed" is just a brutal onslaught from start to finish musically and vocally. In great contrast to this are the vocals of the band's female singer. Sounds shitty? Take a listen to it; I assure you that it meshes together perfectly.

"Code of Honor" brings a lot of the same intensity to start and I love how the drummer matches his snare beat to the double bass beat, sounds really cool. This is another song that is fit together perfectly with its vocal mixings of the male and female vocalist. The female vocalist is able to really shine on this track as she sings a lot of the verses and has a great slowdown part at the end of the song which as lame as it is, sounds really good.

"Losers Ballet" starts off with a very slow piano melody that is then backed up by several stringed instruments and chanters. Gives a very dark feel to the song and sounds pretty damn cool anyways. Roughly a minute of instrumental work later the band kicks back in and they're kicking ass again. The orchestra theme never ventures far in this song as the song returns to the strings and chanting and other various instrument midsong. Sounds all over the place I know but trust me, they mesh it perfectly and it all fits very well.

"Dark Cell" is just an excellent traditional melodeath song. The two vocalists work together flawlessly yet again and the main guitar riff of the song is incredibly catchy and just sounds awesome.

"Crown of Creation" is one of the more consistently heavy songs on this CD. The vocals predominantly belong to Johannes and he really tears this track apart. Super fast song, broken down only at one part so that Sabine can have get a chance to show off her vox. Great song, not to mention there is a kickass solo.

"End Begins" is easily my favorite track off of this CD. One of the most perfect songs I have heard in a very long time. The music to this song is great and is just something that I could easily see myself banging my head to. The majority of the song is fast and brutal but the chorus is broken up by a slower part with harmonizing vocals compliments of Sabine. Her vocals on this track and unbelievable and I can't even explain how good it sounds, it just has to be heard. As if the vocal orgasm wasn't already occurring, the techno style breakdown in the song is one of the most perfectly implemented sounds into a metal song that I never thought would work. Truly a benchmark for which all metal tracks should be compared that don't stick to the confines of the melodeath mold.

The rest of this CD is more of the same; fast, brutal, great. The dual lyrical styles of Johannes and Sabine are one of the most refreshing musical concepts I've heard in quite a while. If that peaks your interest and the musical style of melodeath entices you, I suggest you take a listen. The musicianship on behalf of all the members, especially the drummer, is beyond good. This CD is one you have to listen to and is one I haven't been able to stop listening to since I purchased it.

Top Tracks-“End Begins”, “Dark Cell”, “We All Shall Bleed”.

When I first heard about this album, I thought "Oh great, another Deadlock album, good riffs set to be ruined by lame female vocals", well I was right for the most part. This album features three really great songs, easily some of the best the band has done to this point, but the eight surrounding songs are basically filler when you place them next to those great ones.

Before the album came out, Deadlock announced 'Sabine' joined as a full-time member of the band, and thinking of the results of Earth.Revolt, I figured 'alright, they're done, she ruined that album'. She over-sang and when a singer over dramatizes their parts, it just kills it. However, on Wolves, she's actually VERY good and the album being lame is not her fault whatsoever. Her parts on the album are usually the best parts of a given song. What ruins the songs are the horrible attempts at being 'Progressive', such as epic battle ambiance, some very un-necessary song lengths, and the worst of all, some full blown Trance break in one of the songs. It's so embarrasing to listen to some of this stuff. Deadlock needs a lesson from their fellow Germans 'Fear My Thoughts' latest album on how to play with prog.

The good however, the three shining songs on this album, extremely catchy and very well written. No faux-prog bullshit on these songs, just 4 minute, short breaths of good song writing, and best of all Sabine's great singing. She can really belt out, and it's backed by good HEAVY music, no nu-metal or Goth, (Lacuna Coil/Tristania ect) It's very refreshing to hear a female vocalist sing in a band thats not filtered towards goth sensibilities.

Deadlock have sooooo much potential. So much it hurts me to rate this album so low, but three amazing songs out of eleven is a horrible ratio. Hopefully on their next bout, they cut down on the attempts at being varied and just go with what they know, short catchy metal songs, because if 'Code of Honor' is any proof, they definetly have the skills and them some. This song could have come from any veteran of the Swedish Gothenburg scene in terms of song writing.

In the end, if you're a fan of Modern Soilwork/In Flames/Disarmonia Mundi this album would be a good bet for you to check out, maybe you like prog more than I do, whatever.

Recommended Listening: "We Shall All Bleed" "Code of Honor" "Dark Cell"