ALBUM REVIEW: Redwolves - Future Becomes Past

REDWOLVES (Denmark)

"Future Becomes Past"

(Argonauta Records)

Release date: March 15th 2019

Genre: Stoner rock, heavy rock

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OFFICIAL VIDEO: "Fenris"

                                  

                                 

From the lowlands of Denmark, where the highest natural point peaks merely 171 meters above ground level, comes an ensemble that has been around since 2012. REDWOLVES was formed in Copenhagen, where they became part of a community that shared their affection for classic heavy rock, as well as the multiple Scandinavian bands that appeared during the first decade in this milennium. Bands like The Hellacopters, Gluecifer and Turbonegro are mandatory mentions when we're looking back, and REDWOLVES leave us no doubt where their expression has its roots. 

Their debut arrived in 2016, in the shape of the independently released four track EP "Walking Roads", which had a slightly more direct sound than what they have on the full length that is under consideration in this review. The EP has a punklike rawness that for example Turbonegro is well known for, but it also showed strong indications that they were more than "just" a hard rock n' roll band. 

"Future Becomes Past" is the title of their brand new full length album, and it is a bit of a complex album. A lot of the thematics in the lyrics are based on frustration and anger after an episode where singer Rasmus Cundell was assaulted, not long after the band had begun writing material for the album. Arguably this must have affected not only the lyrical content, but in musical terms too. 

The album consists of eight tracks, where the first four are relatively up-tempo and have a more positive vibe. "Plutocracy" is the opening track that starts with a riff that wouldn't sound out of place on any The Who album. The first thing you notice is the dirty and slightly distorted sound, but if there is any genre that suits this kind of production, it is this one. The album has an analogue sound that gives the material that wonderful warm sound, and it suits the band perfectly. 

"Rigid Generation" is another fetching and catchy tune, and along with "The Abyss" it contributes to giving the album a highly energetic start. "Fenris" was released as a single in April, and I am starting to suspect that Pete Townsend is a huge inspiration to Pete Townsend. The song is another catchy track, and you can find the link to the music video in the album details further up in this review. 

We're halfway through the album, and at this point the band decides to slow things down a bit. "The Pioneer" is a seven minute track that starts off in a more quiet manner than the first four, and the band allow themselves to experiment a little more. They create great instrumental soundscapes with only their basic instruments, thus confirming that "less is more". Quite modest all the way through when it comes to tempo, and slightly darker than the previous tracks, but "The Pioneer" gives you the first taste of a different side of the band. And it most definitely is a sweet one. 

"Voyagers" is another epic piece, and if "The Pioneer" was an experience, this track takes you on a full sonic journey that won't stop until the clockworks reach 9:17. Everything fits here, from those tasty and gorgeous ambient guitars that are mixed down low in the center channel during the intro, through the slow and carefully structured build up to the climax towards the end of the track. "Voyagers" is a journey on its own, and in my ears the absolute strongest piece on the album. 

After the same clean intro that started off "Voyagers" also concludes it, REDWOLVES return to more familiar form with "Farthest from Heaven". More washy cymbals and chord based riffs, but with blast beats (!), just for variation. Not the first thing you'd expect, right? 

"Temple of Dreams" is more midtempo based, with heavy rhythms and a bit more stoner like feel throughout the track. The stoner element is never absent from the other tracks either, but it's never a strong enough part of the band's music to really turn them into a stoner band. 

In conclusion, REDWOLVES have accomplished to make an album that is both catchy and gripping, and yet it allows the listener to drift into different variations of moods along the way. "Future Becomes Past" is a fine addition to the Scandinavian rock n' roll scene, and while daring to experiment and evolve into being more than just a traditional hard rock act, REDWOLVES is a band that should not go on unnoticed. 

★★★★★★★★★★

Tracklist: 

1. Plutocracy

2. Rigid Generation

3. The Abyss

4. Fenris

5. The Pioneer

6. Voyagers

7. Farthest from Heaven

8. Temple of Dreams

REDWOLVES:

- Rasmus Cundell, vocals

- Simon Stenbæk, guitar

- Nicholas Tesla Jørgensen, bass

- Kasper Rebien, drums