WOLFHAND
"The Devil Arrives" (Self-released; 2020)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Wolfhand's "The Devil Arrives" was recommended to me by Rough Edge's own Spudbeast, who knows that I love movie and videogame soundtrack music as much as I love the music we talk about and review here on RoughEdge.com. So I found the band on Facebook, dropped them a line, and here we are: The Rough Edge Review of Wolfhand's album, "The Devil Arrives."
On their Facebook page, Wolfhand describes their sound as "Instrumental Spaghetti Western themed doom/post-metal from Burlington, VT." That's a damn fine description, especially considering the Western movie dialogue excerpts that pepper some tracks. And you can easily imagine this music in the background of a gunslinger-based video game like "Red Dead Redemption" or "Outlaws." In fact, if this band doesn't have a deal with one of those video companies or a movie studio sometime during 2021, I'll eat my cowboy hat. (Please note: I don't own a cowboy hat and I'm not serious about eating one).
"The Devil Arrives" is eerily atmospheric and sways with a spacey, twangy guitar solo backed with a doomy fuzz beat. It plays out like a movie or videogame soundtrack would, each track telling another chapter of the story with music. The beauty here, however, is that there's a different story for every person who listens. The music fuels the imagination and the story is in your mind. (Or maybe Stephen King's "The Gunslinger" series; I'm thinking that's a good match here, too).
I recommend calling in sick to work and sitting at home instead, with your eyes closed, your headphones on, listening to "The Devil Arrives" from beginning to end, and letting it tell you the story that it builds in your head. It's an awesome listening experience and one I intend to enjoy often.
For more information, check out http://www.wolfhandvt.bandcamp.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2021 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
