Wolf

Formed in Örebro, Sweden during 1995, Wolf originated as the vision of lead singer and guitarist Niklas Stålvind, who performed under the name Niklas Olsson on the band’s earliest releases. Bassist Mikael Goding and drummer Daniel Bergkvist completed the initial trio, which performed locally and produced several demo recordings until one caught the attention of Prosthetic Records, the American metal imprint. The group cut its self-titled debut for that label in 1999; afterward the lineup expanded to a quartet with the addition of guitarist Henrik Johansson to strengthen its live presentation. Johan Bülow assumed the guitar chair in 2001 in time for the second album, Black Wings. The same configuration recorded 2004’s Evil Star, while 2006’s The Black Flame welcomed drummer Tobias Kellgren and guitarist Johannes Axeman, also credited as Johannes Losback. By the sessions for 2009’s Ravenous the roster had shifted again, now featuring Stålvind and Axeman alongside bassist Anders Modd and drummer Richard Holmgren. Those four players remained intact for 2011’s Legions of Bastards, though guitarist Simon Johansson succeeded Axeman when the band returned with 2014’s Devil Seed. After several years of separate projects, Wolf reconvened to prepare 2020’s Feeding the Machine, on which Stålvind and Simon Johansson were supported by a fresh rhythm section comprising bassist Pontus Egberg, previously of King Diamond, and drummer Johan Koleberg, formerly of Lion’s Share and Therion. Their sound remains tightly wound, fast-moving, and forceful, marked by intricate dual-guitar exchanges, expansive song structures, and Stålvind’s piercing vocal attack, all clearly rooted in the style of Iron Maiden, Saxon, and Diamond Head, suggesting an overlooked New Wave of British Heavy Metal act rather than a mid-’90s Swedish outfit. The 1999 debut already displayed considerable inspiration and technical command, Black Wings and Ravenous represented the arrival of a fully honed attack, and Feeding the Machine confirmed the group’s undiminished drive after a six-year recording pause.