CRY OF THE WOLF MAGAZINE

     It has certainly been awhile since I attended a hometown concert. But when I heard that the mighty Kobra And The Lotus was coming to a local venue I had to be there. The club is called ALCHEMY, located where another club called Jerkys used to be. Jerkys was a pickup bar that was as diverse in  attendees as you can imagine. Below Jerkys was a club called Hell, where on Sundays you could watch people being whipped on a spinning wheel....but I digress.      Club ALCHEMY has created a  cool, vintage, rock club atmosphere. Very clean and dark. Pool table..classic video games. The layout reminded me of the old LIVING ROOM,( another Providence landmark club from a by gone era.) I grabbed a drink and watched the other bands in anticipation of finally seeing KATL live.       First band to take the stage was GRANNY 4 BARREL. Yes the lead singer has a granny persona complete with giant sewing needles in the white hair, and a rocking chair onstage. The band features an electric

     SENSE OF FEAR is a classic heavy metal band that defines the meaning of the term "Heavy Metal". The album, "AS THE AGES PASSING BY", represents a text book delivery of perfect Molten Metal!. This is the way bands should sound. Raw, loud, un relentless and primed to take over the world.  Hailing from Greece, SOF do have an early heavy metal influence. Bands like, ICED EARTH, METAL CHURCH, and early MEGADETH come to mind as this album just tears into you. Heavy metal galloping at full speed like a runaway freight train. This is best played loud as hell.      Check out "Slaughter Of Innocence", "Angel Of Steel", and the incredible guitar theatrics of "Black Hole". All in all this is one hell of a good record, chock full of every possible heavy metal standard you can raise your fist to. Enjoy this album. This band is poised to become unstoppable. 9/10 Wolf Howls Cry Of The Wolf Magazine

  LORDS OF BLACK ICONS OF THE NEW DAYS  Frontiers Records Heavy Metal/Hard rock release date may 11th www.lordsofblack.com/ LORDS OF BLACK are a force to be reckoned with. The incredible dio-esque articulation of vocalist Ronnie Romero cannot be understated. His sonic prowess is perfectly captured on their latest offering, ICONS OF THE NEW DAYS. This album grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. From start to finish every song is a master class in audio brilliance. Hard rock and metal intertwine around Romero's powerhouse voice and the shredding mastery of guitarist Tony Hernando. Songs like "World Gone Mad", "When A Hero Falls", and "The Edge Of Darkness", are highlights from this incredibly rich sounding release. This is a must have for any fan of hard rock/heavy metal! 9/10 Wolf Howls

PRAYING MANTIS----GRAVITY Hard Rock/Metal Frontiers Records May 11th release date      Legendary riffs from a Legendary band. One of a select few NWOBHM bands that have withstood the test of time. Formed in 1973, PRAYING MANTIS have delivered a stunningly modern sounding, hard rock masterpiece. Their 11th album and the band continues to crank out hits like "Keep It Alive", and "Final Destination". But on the epic rock ballad, "Mantis Anthem", the strength of the band as seasoned songwriters really shines.Fans of melodic hard rock should not miss this May 11th release on the unstoppable Frontiers Records 7/10 Wolf Howls www.prayingmantisrocks.com

 Recently U.S. based power metal has seen a  resurgence. And while the genre is by no means dominating the airwaves, bands like MILLENIAL REIGN are contenders to change all of that. This band has some definite QUEENSRYCHE, and METAL CHURCH influences. From the opening Epic sound scape of "The Genesis" to the keyboard infused sonic tapestry of the closing title track, "The Great Divide" this is one album you cannot afford not to have in your collection. Monumental tracks to metal days gone by with a definite look to the future. MILLENNIAL REIGN are on track to become members of an elite power metal hierarchy. A new metal dawn is beginning and this band is at the forefront of that movement. 9/10 Wolf Howls Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/millennialreign Website: http://www.millennialreign.com Travis Wills  - Vocals Dave Harvey - Guitars Steve Nichols - Drums Neil Bertrand - Bass Ulterium Records contact Web:  www.ulterium-records.com Email: info@ul

     Another hard rock gem from the unrelenting Frontiers records label. This time it is VEGA, a Melodic hard rock band hailing from the UK. "Only Human" is the bands 5th studio album. The most immediate impression is that VEGA is hands down one of the best sounding bands I've heard so far this year. Melodic hard rock, with a dash of modern aor, mixed with radio friendly vocals. This band, VEGA, is the best of all possible hard rock worlds. At times the vocals remind a little bit of the late great Ronnie James Dio.(Yes he's that good).Guitar shredding abounds but contained within a tasteful melodic approach. Check out the lead on "Mess You Made." This album rocks from start top finish. I can hear some serious DEF LEPPARD and maybe even a BON JOVI influence.Especially on "come Back Again". and " Standing Still" 9/10 Wolf Howls  Vega---Only Human available May 11th On Frontiers Records. Nick Workman: Lead vocals, backing voca

      Marita- Bloodlust      This is a tour de force of 80's horror pop rock! If Freddie Krueger has a Spotify account then this album is surely on it. The album sounds like it should have been a john carpenter movie soundtrack! As a matter of fact any aspiring horror film director should use one of these songs in their next film.       Sticking to her passions, Marita pulls no punches on her love for all things metal and horror related. Stand outs include "10 to Midnight" and "Horror High".      The production value in both the sound and songwriting has surpassed her previous album, "Rough Stuff". Marita has matured into a formidable metal songwriting machine. Also of note is the incredible guitar work that shreds like Jason Voorhees at summer camp. Just overall a great album.Get your copy now and crank it up!!!! 9/10 Wolf Howls