I often think of listening to music as the thunderstorm process. Usually, the beginning is the most anticipated part, will it be a cascade of shocks and thrills with a terrifying climax, or will it begin to tempt you, but back off and shy away leaving nothing but clear skies and wet grass?

Wolfchild's self titled debut album is most definitely a ride through a storm, and the early stages look like were in for a sensational trek. First track 'I walk away' has an exciting opening, sexy guitars slowly followed by a toe tapping drum beat, a very easy and enjoyable tune to listen to. The vocals at first seem rather harsh but become more fluid throughout the song and it helps to listen to this turned up VERY loud! In fact the first four tracks are faithful to the initial theme, an AC/DC likeable style rock. 'Don't shoot me' has a very sellable feature to it and could easily imagine it blasting out in a rock club, while 'One Women' has a well used format of lyrics but done reasonably well, telling of an overpowering girlfriend. There's the complimentary ballad in the shape of 'Out of the blues', which starts well but doesn't fully fill out, the guitars being the stronger part of the song. The vocals however are powerful throughout the whole album but don't loosen off any for the softer number.

Further on in, the songs flit up and down, never giving up, although some are slightly disappointing after a starting on such a high. Vocalist Kim Hogberg has a hint of Mike Monroe on 'Cuts like a knife' and the drums manage to pinpoint that thunder I was droning on about. Towards the end of the album there's a feeling that the songs were written without bearing in mind the persuasiveness of the vocals, occasionally losing the connection between what is a great band and a great front man.

This was in fact a tremulous storm, lots of highs, no lows although a few hushed anticipated moments, no lightening strikes for a finale but a gentle rumble in the distance. Real rock as the band say is not dead, but preparing to have its say...

by Sharron Grainger

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