Leatherwolf--Leatherwolf (1987/Island)
Rating--8.1
Extremely technical and riff-and-note heavy '80s metal, along the lines of the best of Dokken,
Lillian Axe, and Firehouse.
On this debut the band actually shows
a good bit of Euro-power influence, as well. Very out of place for their time...
Solid; one of the harder-to-find and
more sought after discs of the era, especially considering the talent.
Heavy music and melodic vox make opener "Rise or
Fall" good, and the pulsing chords of "The Calling" show the band's solidity. Heavy riffs power "Cry Out," with "Gypsies and
Thieves" being strong as well.
Symphonic keyboard work gives a majestic feel to the heavy "Princess of Love," and
super guitar chugging lends an almost medieval aura to "Rule the Night," making it one of the top spots in the band's catalog.
The faster "Magical Eyes" is yet another guitar-carved track, as the band prepares for their (even better) followup.
TRACK LIST: Rise or Fall/The Calling/Share a Dream/Cry Out/Gypsies and Thieves/Bad Moon Rising/Princess of Love/
Magical Eyes/Rule the Night
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