Time Signature Power-thrash-trad attack...

Genre: power-thrash / traditional metal

Although Wolfen are typically classified as a power-thrash band, the appropriately entitled "Chapter IV" is not really power-thrash; that is, it is power-thrash and then some, because - at least to my ears - traditional heavy metal is a major stylistic ingredient.

The power-thrash definitely is there - no doubt about that - and tracks like 'Revolution / Evolution', 'Nefilim' and 'Unbroken' are pretty damn fierce. 'Nefilim' especially is quite aggressive and a fine specimen of melodic thrash metal, while 'Unbroken' combines thrash aggression with speed metal, well, speed. But these three thrashers are nonetheless rich in traditional metal elements. For instance, 'Revolution / Evolution' features a nice NWoBHM-informed section with melodic twin-guitars, and all three trachs feature some classic metal riffage and chord progressions in the bridges.

A track like 'D.F.A.I.T', in contrast, cannot really be said to feature power metal or thrash metal elements. Instead, it is a Judas Priest-inspired old school metal track. Likewise, while featuring some chucking guitars and a big melodic sing-along chorus, 'The One' is more of a traditional metal track, as is 'I AM I' (which features some pretty cool riffage in the bridge). Most tracks on the album are more on the traditional metal/hard rock side.

This is, of course, not a bad thing, and most of the tracks on the album are pretty solid - with the thrashers, and the most power metallish song 'Soul Collector' being among my favorites. In contrast, I have a hard time enjoying the ballad 'Dolor Mundis' - not because it is a ballad, but because it is not, in my opinion, a good ballad.

Anyway, in all, "Chapter IV" is a pretty good - and very enjoyable - album, featuring a bit of thrash, a bit of power metal and a lot of traditional metal.