Published by Davide Pappalardo on January 16, 2018
Wulfband are a mysterious duo hailing from Sweden, dedicated to fast, beat-driven and punkish EBM sung in German. Their music is somewhat linked to the so called Anhalt scene (the fusion of old-school EBM and streetpunk/oi! Elements typical of the Saxony-Anhalt state), but it shows a modern production and some weird, personal touches which enlighten their own identity. Nothing is known about them, and they would like to keep it that way, using masks during their concerts in order to let people focus on their music. On paper, all of this could sound dull and not so new, but one has to listen to their songs to understand why they are one of the few promising names in today EBM scene: no-nonsense fast basslines, shouted catchy slogans and infectious hooks, double speed beats, a strong punk attitude are encapsulated in short tracks that sound like sonic assaults.
Now they return with their sophomore album Revolter, following their self-titled debut (2014) and the stand-alone single 3 Track miniCD (2015), once again under the Swedish Label Progress Productions. Their formula has not changed, but it has been refined for the better with a strong and convincing songwriting made of heavy and fast movements where their punk attitude shines amidst electronic tornados. They still keep on using broken German lyrics, which nature shows a hidden humor that doesn’t detract from their skills; just by some small twists in tempo and structures, they update the old-school formula using the template gave by DAF and Nitzer Ebb as something to work on, instead of just aping them.
Lass die hunde loss starts slow, but it gains its momentum very soon, building a mid-tempo ride interspersed with sleazy chants. Fast beats and cutting-edge basslines complete the imposing groove. Kaos mf is a pounding assault enriched by thundering rhythms and clever hooks, which surprises us with some saxophones sounds, while Mann an mann an mann is a fierce EBM classic full of double speed beats, riffing basslines, and some “atmospheric” moments.
Basta gives us a bizarre trip underlined by metallic cymbals, while a quasi-metal feeling shows itself during its very short duration, Liebe offensive has a dancefloor-friendly structure which reminds us of the more urgent episodes Nitzer Ebb, but with a modern sounding and noisy soundscape. The closing number In tempo plays at the beginning with ethereal sounds, but it soon develops a familiar fast-driven songwriting enriched by swirly attacks and obsessive drums.
Wulfband shows us with Revolter that making interesting and fresh sounding European old-school EBM in 2017 is possible, thanks to a self-aware attitude in which rawness doesn’t mean poorly produced, melody doesn’t mean softness, and punk doesn’t mean a lack of music skills. The listener will find himself surrounded by fast sonic-splinters full of vigor and driven energy, but things never get boring thanks to a modern production with some out-of-there moments which keep things interesting. A top album in the genre, for sure.
Label: Progress Productions
Rating: 8,5