The Impaler

Hot dog! Another heavy totting n' throttling as well as raucously melodic Detroit, Michigan metal band (along with Borrowed Time and Demon Bitch) which has me currently throwing my fists in the air with no regard for my surroundings is the classic Judas Priest sounding and umlaut digging Wülfhook, which, in 2015, released its ten-tracked - and Vlad approved! - monster of a full-length debut (following a handful of innocuous demos dating back to 2011), The Impaler, on CD under Divebomb Records, the erudite and thoughtful Greensboro, North Carolina based label responsible for auspiciously unleashing the likes of Meliah Rage, Satan’s Hallow, Helion Prime, Judicator, Final Sign and Iron Flame. This goes without saying but...feel free to get jubilantly excited!

Following a windswept and rainy, Spanish acoustic guitar intro capped by a solitary and mournful lone wolf howl, the opening title track grandiosely kicks off with a bodaciously boggling bass line and super slick, shuffle sliding guitar riff resoundingly punctuated by front man Jeff "Sling" Schlinz’s debilitating as fuck “Yaaaaaaaaaah!”. Effectively, the first time I heard it, I knew I was on to something. While Schlinz’s maniacal and shrill high-pitched vocals have a lot to do with it, it’s really the sizzling and propelling, no-nonsense twin guitars of Jeff “Duke” Dudick” and Matt Martin which energetically flung me beyond the Rubicon. Every riff and every guitar solo kicks ass, be they on the arpeggio laden and squealing, super accessible “Through the Darkness” (its intense sing-along chorus uncannily sounds pried from Air Raid’s latest gem, Across the Line) or scintillatingly finger-tapped and neo-classical “Eternal”, possibly the strongest track composition and skill wise.

Before I delve further into what makes this release so friggin’ awesome, allow me to point out its lowbrow production may initially come across as unforgivably flawed, however pleasantly caustic and raw, due to the ramshackle mixing which blatantly errs toward piercing treble overtones. Thankfully, this can be largely remedied by toggling your equalizers’ bass levels. In fact, it’s imperative you do so as this will allow to fully revel in Mike Mullaly’s punchy and stentorian, fluidly caroming bass lines which provide each track with their own nifty undertow.

Comparisons to contemporary “traditional” acts such as Air Raid and Steelwing are definitely in order as the twin ax men’s vivacious and voracious, as well as tightly woven, mid 80s style guitar riffs swiftly give way to innumerable expediently spiraling leads paralleling the Swedes’ Across the Line and Lord of the Wasteland, respectively. Dudick and Martin notably bear their fangs in a most aggressive and drawn-out, “freewheel burning” Tipton/Downing manner on the progressively rampant “Bridge Burner” whilst the chthonic and ribald “Devil’s Harlot”, likely my preferred track as far as lyrics and chops are concerned, fascinatingly sounds like a ballsy and steroid-pumped version of Iron Maiden’s “Sun and Steel”! Its unabashedly grinding momentum vividly evokes an ax (or sword) being sharpened against a whetstone while the bad-ass bluesy secondary riff makes me want to gleefully punch holes in the wall, downright incendiary leads withstanding. Also of note are Jeff "Dit" Ditner’s liberally smashing drum beats and super festive cowbell tocks underscoring the stand-out solo section. That’s another thing: the drums are generally locked down, fast and tight while featuring a multi-variety of interesting culminations, fills and rides.

Aside from on “The Impaler”’s full moon introduction and “Sacrifice"'s peaceful as well as relaxed, humdrum bookends, the boys are aflame and ready to rock to the fullest for the album’s three-quarters of an hour length. Granted, the latter, with its brooding and less explosive pace, fails to fan the flames as much as the fore mentioned highlights, yet doesn’t detract from The Impaler's overall riveting appeal and devilish flair. Consider it the token “epic” or “cool-down” moment amidst so many instances of all-out neck-snapping revelry. It’s all a matter of perspective though as there’s no filler on board. What’s more, the final tracks, a crankier and speed metal-ish, as well as JP/Painkiller era evoking “Tormentor” and closer (as well as shortest track at three minutes), the grimly mocking and sardonic “Atomic Punk”, end things on a serious high note. To wit, this last’s brazen shuffle and maddeningly nostalgic n' blazin' (even Wolf evoking!), main riff/bass line thunderously pound their way into a tremendous nuclear shred fest before veering back to a gripping return to form and conclusive élan which feature a wickedly timed dash of pinched natural harmonics.

Although I’d spotted Wülfhook’s The Impaler a couple years back on “NWOTHM”’s bootube page, only recently have taken the time to check it out. Am I ever glad I did! Not only is it a must for any traditional heavy metal head, it’s unlikely its zestful appeal will dissipate. Thank God, as a highly anticipated sophomore won't come soon enough for this “hooked wülf”!