On Wolf's third release they have constructed an excellent, pulsing metal offering. At first listen many may say to themselves, "yeah, this is good, but I've heard a lot of it before..." But upon each successive spin, the listener will realize how well the band can execute and play, how they can write killer hooks and songs, and how this release (definitely when compared to their first two) puts all those aspects together.
Vocalist Niklas Olsson has improved dramatically at his craft, now bringing to the table a strong-bodied and clear set of pipes, sounding like a much more capable Mark Reales (Riot circa 1987). Some Maiden galloping tendencies can still be brought to mind, but the band is definitely "2000" power metal, and fall into that new niche of groups that also harbors units such as Dream Evil, Mystic Prophecy, and other heavy hitters. There's some thicker and sharper Nocturnal Rites, some of Halford's solo work, and plenty of classic metal elements as well. This is a release that simply "works," and fans of power metal old and new should find plenty here to their liking.
The varied rhythms add spice to the solid title track, while "Wolf's Blood" has a bouncing, pulsing bass-and-drum rhythm that, when coupled with some nasty neck notes, reminds of Mercyful Fate.
"Devil Moon" features some soaring vocals and a chugging guitar rhythm, "The Dark" has a solid flow, and all of "American Storm," "The Avenger," and "Out of Still Midnight" are strong. A couple of bonus treats include covers of BOC's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," and Slayer's "Die by the Sword," the latter having a damn solid mid-track pickup.

TRACK LIST: Evil Star/American Storm/The Avenger/Wolf's Blood/Translyvanian Twilight/Devil Moon/Out of Still Midnight/The Dark/Black Wing Rider/ (Don't Fear) The Reaper/Die by the Sword