Phantom Wolf – ‘Phantom Wolf’

Heavy Rock

Independent Release

Release Date – Soon

Review By Smudge Smith

Phantom Wolf didn’t provide a press release for this which I believe is their debut. My limited research skills discovered that they are possibly Caleb Johnson on vocals who won season 13 of American Idol and guitarist Tyler Bryant. Other than that, they say that Phantom Wolf is a tribute to Chris Cornell. Although I must say Johnson has a passing resemblance both physically and vocally to our very own Nathan James (Inglorious).

Be prepared for the dramatic opener ‘Devil At Your Door’ coz it rocks like a bastard, and I reckon the band decided that they were going to put everything into it and show what they’ve got. A huge riff and groove and an even bigger vocal from Johnson have the hairs standing up your neck and arms. ‘Speaking In Tongues’ has a slow build before they crash into the groove and some ‘woooah’s’ with a call and response on the verses then ‘Brimstone Boogie’ brings some nasty country blues boogie that’s bound to get your booty shaking. Things get moody and dark on ‘Black Angel’ and shows the range, power and control Johnson has over his voice. Simply stunning with some serious soul. ‘Nature Of The Beast’ is a bluesy stomp which has Led Zep all over it then we get a southern soul rocker on ‘Heart Of Stone’ where Bryant absolutely shows his skills. ‘Down In Fire’ brings the heavy stuff again before the interestingly titled instrumental ‘StarWormWood/Locust/Leviathan’ which brings something a whole lot different. Like something from a stage musical or a Jim Steinman album with its different movements and strings. It’s epic, grandiose and a showcase for Bryant’s undoubted talent. After all that we need something gentler. ‘Afterlife’ offers a piano led power ballad for the gospel voice of Johnson which is full of beautiful strings wonderful blues licks.

I honestly didn’t think albums were made like this anymore. When you have people who can sing and play in any style or genre then songs kind of write themselves. Then performances are beyond worldclass, the songs are superbly constructed and played with a feel and touch that is often missing in today’s sterile production which is big and warm with a real live on the floor feel. This has gone right to top of my albums of the year.

Track list

Devil At Your Door

Speaking In Tongues

Brimstone Boogie

Black Angel

Nature Of The Beast

Heart Of Stone

Down In Fire

Star/WormWood/Locust/Leviathan

Afterlife