BE THE WOLF – Empress

Perhaps Be The Wolf should rename themselves Lone Wolf. Federico Mondelli (Frozen Crown) is cited as the singer, song writer, guitarist and graphic artist. He fronts a Hard Rock power trio drawing inspiration from 80s Heavy Metal and AOR. Empress, the band’s third album, contains “…high speed tracks, with heavy and melodic riffing and tasteful guitar solos, with some occasional power ballads (though constantly keeping a considerably fast pace for the whole duration of the album).”

Under a different producer, the band’s description might be accurate. Unfortunately, the album was mixed for heaviness rather than the melody. The lack of nuance in the drums, bass, guitar and layered vocals combined with the constant high tempo of the songs provide diminishing returns. Listen for the potential for improvement during the guitar solos of “Stallone” and “All Days I Missed”. The band sounds very different when the vocals and drums are backed off. The first three songs “Burn Me Out”, “Action”, and “Stallone” feature strong choruses and hook-laden melodies which rise above the din. “Action” is a genre-bending surprise starting with a mighty riff but unexpectedly morphing into a dance club track straight out of the 80s.

While the songwriting and musicianship on Empress are a cut above its peers, the production needs more AOR sensibility and restraint. The frantic intensity is best enjoyed in small doses.

TUNE INTO METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM at NOON & MIDNIGHT (EST) / 6:00 & 18:00 (CET) TO HEAR THE BEST TRACKS FROM THIS UPCOMING RELEASE!!!

TRACKLIST (Highlights: 1, 2, 3, 5)

1. Burn Me Out
2. Action
3. Stallone
4. Thousand Years
5. You’re My Demon Tonight
6. All Days I Missed
7. Move It
8. Here And Now
9. Trigger Discipline
10. Jungle Julia II

LINEUP

FEDERICO MONDELLI: VOCALS, GUITARS
MARCO VERDONE: BASS
PAUL CANETTI : DRUMS