NIGHTMARE TOYS

Sunday, March 1, 2020

AN OLD SCHOOL ALBUM REVIEW : UNTO THE WOLVES


 
On this episode of AN OLD SCHOOL ALBUM REVIEW  we're taking a look at UNTO THE WOLVES  a one-man solo act out of Boise Idaho.
This was a very unique opportunity for us, as it will be the longest and most in-depth album review we've done. 
The music is basically a history lesson, even a documentary, about different religions. What's going on here is every month UNTO THE WOLVES  releases a new song via their patreon account.
There's already two albums out called Year 1 and Year 2.. so it was basically a package deal.
I asked the band these questions prior to doing the review:
Tunings
Bands who have played with
Major accomplishments of 2019
Major goals for 2020
A funny story about your band

Here's what he had to say:
Tunings: Drop C primarily, but I use up to E for other songs.

Bands I've performed live with:
Since this is a web-only project, the band does not perform live. However there has been a guest vocalist or two. Bjorn Strid from Soilwork and Nightlight Orchestra on Year One.
Daniel Graves from Aesthetic Perfection on Year Two.
And Kiara Latitia is on Year three.
Not to mention, an appearance of an opera singer on a Patreon exclusive.

Accomplishments: Was nominated for best Hard Rock band Wigwam radio. Two albums released which I considered. And the continuous release of material on a monthly basis of Patreon.

Goals for 2020: Finish and release Year Three and grow my patreon audience.

Funny story: I've racked my brain trying to find something that would be entertaining or fun to hear about the project, but the reality is a very different story in my case. During the time this project has been in existence, I've dealt with an enormous amount of struggle and life circumstances which have not been kind, and this project has given me the ability to see through it and continue. It has allowed me perspective that I naively thought I didn't need and has given me comfort and a healthy outlet to create for those who enjoy what I'm able to produce.

Our special guest reviewer was Sean Smith of the band North Grant,  here's what he had to say:
Has a Tool vibe
Sounds real good
Like a Tool meets Dethklok
Sounds like Maynard
Impressive for one person
Orchestrated all this by himself???
I like the backup vocals
He's got in there the whispering growl
Really well put together
Timing is great
Vocals are clean
Sounds professional
Definitely knows what he's doing
I like The Change-Up he has in his songs
He's definitely got some powerful shit
His transitions are pretty on point

Deena:
Very professional
I like how the lyrics are clear had me going I love the Riffs they had me going
Amazing that is just one man playing you would never know
I definitely enjoyed it
Jeremy:
I'd never listen to UNTO THE WOLVES until this review but I had heard of the band.. finding out it was just one guy doing this blew me away.
And he's from Boise Idaho which was really kewl.
The Religious aspects of it are very unique to me.. and immediately caused interest.
I'm going to isolate each song in connection with the YouTube video.
I think it's important for you to hear the musical interpretation under each religion.
Accepting this review was a bulk project,  you just have to do both of the albums that doesn't make sense.
Each one of these songs text you on a journey.
There's a point to these albums.
Production levels are over the top, you can feel the emotions describing each one of these different cultures.
On pen and paper this is an 8-page review..
Let's get to it:

YEAR ONE

Edge of the Forest:
Starts out very scary
Creates a very good story
Very slow song but was still good, more of a journey

https://youtu.be/95dU2P2Sl2g


WITNESS: (CHRISTIANITY)

Beginning build up is good
I like the riffing
Smooth vocals
Good build-up into great vocals
Shouting but very clear
Good Use of quiet and Stillness
Great riffing at end
https://youtu.be/eRa879uvs84

FROM WITHIN (WICKA):
Explosive intro
Great hammering on bass
Solid riffs
Good isolated guitar
Awesome drums
Good bass line in breakdown
Good vocals
Singing is very clear
Awesome chugs
Solid song lots of changes
Good ending I love this song

https://youtu.be/2OBlkJyz0Og

DON'T FOLLOW ME (SHINTO)
Nice Oriental vibe!!! WAY KEWL!!!
There's a Tool vibe
Solid chugging
Love the vocals
Enjoying the Oriental undertones
Sudden pause is good
Love the guitar volume swells
Note matching leads

https://youtu.be/pAfwEuWEJPs

THE MIND (HINDUISM)
Good beginning build up
Very clear lyrics
Good acoustic guitar parts create levels of music
Solid song

https://youtu.be/TGtujn4a41E

REVERENCE (VODUN)
My Speed !!! Fast and attacking!!!
Love the Riffs
Definitely a different song than the others
Sounds like a pissed-off hornet's nest, I love this song

https://youtu.be/LYVUWcXH0GI

TRANSGRESSION ( ISLAM)
This is a lyrical Journey
Very haunting
The song was terrifying, musically solid, but the lyrics are a totally different level

https://youtu.be/YaJ_kHwzXEw

RAGNOROK (NORSE)
Awesome intro
Love the pic slide
Great vocal growls
Busy but love the guitar work
Remind me of Amon Amarth
Just a beast of a song

https://youtu.be/ITVQLk6q-FU

SOMETHING MORE  (GREEK MYTHOLOGY)
Slow down for a bit here, but back into sledgehammers
Awesome timing
All of a sudden it stops and you're finally out of the storm, it's pretty here, yep, it's over
Love the lyrics
Crystal Clear vocals
What a song it combines light and darkness equally well

https://youtu.be/lF-EL0inoco

FULL OF DARKNESS  (CATHOLICISM)
Yeah this is good
Amazing guitar work
Awesome breakdown
More great vocal work
Just an Ambiance of sound
Another awesome breakdown
Amazing ending

https://youtu.be/qSH9tEzgp7Q

ORIGINS (EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY)
Solid fretwork
Pick attacks have been a lesson in control
Great Melody
Even has an Egyptian vibe

https://youtu.be/cwxt5d70vvw

ANCESTORS OF WAR (THE MAORI TRIBE)
Another musical Journey
Has smooth and intense parts
Create such an atmosphere
The chugging riffs hit you

https://youtu.be/K40ubgYUkoo

ADDICTION  (BONUS TRACK)
Slower start but good guitar build up
A lot of the same sound and guitar techniques

https://youtu.be/lPy72do1xC4
Edge of the Forest
Intro track for the "Year One" Album www.patreon.com/untothewolves #music #Patreon #Wolves #metal #culture #independent
youtube.com
YEAR TWO

VALIDATE THE PAIN (MEXICAN FOLKLORE)
Definitely an Old Mexico vibe
I'm reminded of Rammstein here
Perfect timing
Great vocals
Starts and ends with that Old Mexico feel

https://youtu.be/x9_O7A9jEdI

THE WRITTEN WORD ( DRUIDISM)
Sounds like a marching Army
I like the leads, how they walk up smoothly into the slower part
Just some sic breakdowns

https://youtu.be/ZbKQtRcaThI

IMMUNE TO THE COLD (INUIT TRIBE)
Explosive intro
Good isolated guitar
Validate the Pain
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby Validate the Pain · Unto the Wolves Year Two ℗ 2018 John Sifuentes Released on: 2018-12-01 Auto-generated by YouTube.
youtube.com
Awesome switches
Combines lots of different elements
Just an icy song

https://youtu.be/WPkyriO_HVY

A WILL OF SERVITUDE (WHIRLING DERVISH)
Full Sound
Another Tool Vibe especially the vocals
There's another instrument in here I can't identify
Good verse riffs
Flow between slow and fast is seamless

https://youtu.be/QjuJz6AdAz4

SYMPTOM OF LOYALTY  (AMERICAN CULTURE)
Doom metal feel
I like the backing vocals
Awesome solo with short but hits the right notes
Very clear vocals
Love the guitar work
A Slayer vibe to the guitar techniques
There's a longer solo and it's really good
Solid song loved it

https://youtu.be/s4sePvGr3Lo

DOOMSDAY (MAYAN CULTURE)
100 miles per hour right off the bat
Super good structure
Lyrics are good
Always perfect timing
Starts and stops well

https://youtu.be/Na56aK7h6RU

CONFLICT RESOLUTION  (JUDAISM)
Love how this song starts
Sweet pick slide
Sledgehammer riffs
Love how the vocals sound
Awesome melodic parts
Solid Groove a great song

https://youtu.be/tP-4aRLIIs0

THE CATACOMBS (AUSTRIA)
Sounds like a graveyard
Very creepy
Love the vocal sound
Solid riffs chugging
Vocals blend so well
Uptick in tempo

https://youtu.be/LSR881Js-94

JUDGE AND JURY (ATHEISM)
Solid sound
Well produced
Lyrical masterpiece
Good guitar work
Blends together very well
This is a very dark song

https://youtu.be/KTmstraqW2A

IMMORTAL (REALISM)
Very dark undertones
Amazing drums
Start slow but gets up-tempo quickly
Very full sound
Spot On lyrics
Very scary song

https://youtu.be/prAwIaaXDSI

THE GRAY OF DUALITY  (LUCIFERIANISM)
Deep chugging on riffs
Love the lead guitar
Another good solo perfect notes perfect placement
Another very dark song

https://youtu.be/UNcmYzq5OgM

REPRIEVE FROM REALITY  (CHUTULLU SUB-CULTURE)
There's a music video involved with this one that I'm posting
Very heavy song
Super creepy
Builds up well
Clean vocals even the shouted part
Solid guitar work
Production on the video was good too
Very well put together song



Overall I thought both of these albums were 100% masterpieces, the dedication it takes to Wright what he's written is amazing to me.. I was very impressed this is such a good job.

For all things UNTO THE WOLVES  please follow them here:

www.patreon.com/untothewolves

https://m.facebook.com/920392928088666

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHXAp_zvy68nAl_H9btijUQ

No comments:

Post a Comment