WHITE WOLF - STANDING ALONE (1984, RCA)
Don Wilk - keyboards, vocals
Cam MacLeod - guitars, vocals
Rick Nelson - guitars, vocals
Les Schwartz - bass
oris Bolzon - drums, vocals

Background
From the province of Alberta Canada come the five-piece White Wolf. Probably more heavy rock/metal than most, but supremely melodic nonetheless. Revolving around the trio of Wilk, MacLeod and Nelson, they recruited locally for a rhythm section to eventually end up with the lineup listed above. White Wolf moved on to playing the Western Canadian scene, plus their own Edmonton area. RCA pitched in with a deal during 1983, and their debut 'Standing Alone' is the byproduct of that association. And a good one at that too! It seems two producers came along for the ride in the creation of 'Standing Alone'. Dan Lowe, better known for his association with a myriad of Canadian bands (Hammersmith, 451-degrees, Prototype), was one of those, while Jack Richardson (Harlequin, Guess Who, Aerosmith, Brighton Rock) was the other. With increased local exposure, the band set about quietly going about it's business, culminating with tours in the US and the other side of Canada. Their management even had two covers, as you can see with this review..

The Songs
So, onto the music. White Wolf operate in that same space as heavy handed bands such as Saxon (circa 'Crusader'), but I must re-emphasise, it is very melodic. The opening title track 'Standing Alone' is a deeply melodic affair with brooding synth sweeps and an engaging chorus. 'Headlines' ups the ante, similar in approach to prime-time Helix. 'Shadows In The Night', was released as the band's second single. However their best song without doubt is the epic classic 'What The War Will Bring'. So relevant and a poignant reminder in todays age of conflict. Elsewhere we get the metallized attack of 'Night Rider' and 'Trust Me', the excellent 'Homeward Bound' continued with the solid but subdued rock of 'Metal Thunder'. Brilliant stuff, and good to clear the old ear wax out!

In Summary
In 1986 they released their second album 'Endangered Species', which was also a very good effort. By 1987 the rot had set in, and the following year the band folded. Since then, Don Wilk has been sighted on Point Of Power's 1992 album 'It's About Time'. Both White Wolf albums got a Japanese release during 1997, so they are available on CD out there somewhere.

URL: www.myspace.com/whitewolfquotofficialquot

Track Listing:
01 Standing Alone
02 Headlines
03 Shadows In The Night
04 What The War Will Bring
05 Night Rider
06 Homeward Bound
07 Metal Thunder
08 Trust Me

Reissues:
2007 Escape Music ESM 157

Related Articles:

White Wolf - 1984 Standing Alone

White Wolf - 1986 Endangered Species

White Wolf - 2007 Victim Of The Spotlight

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Posted by gdazegod on August 22, 2003 · 0 Comments · 1767 Reads ·