SEASONS OF THE WOLF: Lost in Hell CD digipak 1999. Classic Heavy Metal, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest + new twist. CHECK audio (whole album) + VIDEO

Description

The pride and joy of the classic metal fans strikes back. Perfect packaging and expensive digipak. On Lost in Hell, the band further explores their classic metal feel mixed with a more modern keyboard/atmospheric undertow. Fortunately, unlike some of those “”We’ve got a K-mart Casio and we’re gonna use it”” bands, Seasons of the Wolf is able to put the keyboard bits to smart use in the songs. When the keyboards are at the forefront, they remind just a tad of Hawkwind, which of course is a very good thing indeed. Moreover, tracks like “”Interstellar”” utilize very attention-grabbing intros with a prog-rock type percussion attack and very serene keyboards. This song is very capable in striking a mood and carrying it all the way through the song. The latter half of the album seems to focus more on slower, moody songs which Seasons is very adept at pulling off.

Lost in Hell was Season of the Wolf’s second album, and is arguably their best release to date. More than just a study in Iron Maiden and Judas Priest worship, Lost in Hell was an extremely creative album. It still falls in traditional metal territory, but there are some progressive and even Gothic metal touches that make the album that much more memorable. Killer guitar work, prominent atmospheric keyboards and wailing vocals help make Lost in Hell an album that brings to mind the best of Helstar, Lizzy Borden and Crimson Glory.

The subject matter is a mixture of dark powerful rock; mostly concerning the human condition in exploration of the supernatural. The music is interesting….moderately heavy in places, with mixtures of keyboards and and strings sprinkled throughout. I would liken the music as a cross between 80 genre Ronnie James Dio/Udo (even a little Geoff Tate of Queensryche) for subject matter and voice, and a likening of classical Deep Purple instrumentally. The guitars, however, are not complex or overpowering….very simple in the chord and riff structure, and an absence of the neoclassical solos; very appropriate for the songs. This is not music for the stereo typical modern headbanger (though big fans of the 80 rock will love the music), as it is not heavy metal; it takes an appreciation for the different genres and classifications of hard rock to really dig this music. From a cursory musical standpoint you think, not bad; but it really is good because it takes talent to make music of this unique quality.

Seasons of the Wolf is actually straightforward NWOBHM-style heavy metal. Released in 2000, Lost in Hell is the band second album. The band wears their influences (Priest, Iron Maiden, and most definitely Saxon) on their sleeve, but that not necessarily a bad thing. With all of the sub-genres in metal today, it nice to see bands like this one playing straight-up heavy metal. This is a definite nod to the old school, and a very well done effort. The cover art, blazing guitars, high pitched vocals, and occult subject matter all practically scream Metal Blade circa 1984.

If you still have Iron Maiden and Judas Priest back catalog in heavy rotation, along with bands like Helstar, Lizzy Borden and Armored Saint, you’d do well to check out Seasons of the Wolf. Along with Widow, Viper, Pharaoh, Icarus Witch, and Twisted Tower Dire, they’re putting American heavy metal back on the map.