WarWolf – The Final Battle

WarWolf
The Final Battle
Label: Metalapolis Records / SPV
Out: January 31^st, 2025
Playing time: 01:01:39

Let Battle Commence!

WarWolf, emerged from the Cologne band Wolfen. According to Encyclopaedia Metallum it was just a renaming. But I think there was more to it. After all, only three of the former Wolfen members were still in the band in 2021. And now, with singer Andreas von Lipinski and guitarist Frank Noras, there are only two of them left. Anyway, let history be history. WarWolf have released two albums and various singles in their short history so far. Album number three – ‘The Final Battle’ – will follow at the end of January 2025. This closes the circle to the opening quote.

The Cologne band really get going with ‘Eye Of The Storm’. Hard riffs at the beginning are accompanied by high Metal screams. Singer Andreas von Lipinski also cuts a fine figure later with his powerful voice. And can easily assert himself against the riff storm. And the crowning glory is the solo, in which the two guitarists take turns.  After leaving the eye of the storm, we land in the middle of ‘Burning Skies’. And here it continues just as powerfully. Hard-hitting Metal paired with beautiful melodies and a refrain to sing along to. Guitar licks and pounding drums introduce ‘The Lycan Empire’. The refrain is also catchy here. Do I need to say anything more about the guitar solos? I don’t think so. They are really outstanding. A great Metal anthem follows with ‘Fight The Invaders’. It reminds me a bit of the great days of Ronnie James Dio. With ‘A New Hope’, the band switches into high-speed mode. The tempo is also kept high on ‘Time Stands Still’. Riffs are fired off almost every second. But here, too, the refrain invites you to sing along. ‘The Dark Emperor’ starts ballad-like. The singer is initially accompanied by clean guitars. But it doesn’t stay that way. A melodic mid-tempo stomper sounds out of the speakers. This is followed by ‘Blood & Ice’, which rocks lively. Here, too, Andreas von Lipinski easily asserts himself against the hard riffing. The title track ‘The Final Battle’ is the obligatory power ballad. After an acoustic introduction, there is a powerful rhythm section to be heard. And what a fantastic guitar solo! The bouncer is aptly titled ‘The War Is Over’. The song starts with acoustic guitars. The vocals are also quiet at first. Later, powerful but melodic guitar melodies can be heard. A great idea to end a Metal album with two power ballads.

‘The Final Battle’ is probably one of the best Metal albums I’ve heard recently. The expressive voice of Andreas von Lipinski is very well staged by outstanding musicians. Hard riffs, powerful drums, huge guitar solos and a bass that provides sufficient depth. I can recommend this album to every metal fan!

WarWolf – Eye Of The Storm: https://youtu.be/GOC6T0-cvtQ?si=dWOmvdmQk_lPsW0b

Lineup:

Andreas von Lipinski – Vocals
Frank Noras – Guitar
Peter Müller – Guitar
Florian Abegg – Bass
Holger Bloempott – Drums

Track list:

• Eye of the Storm
• Burning Skies
• The Lycan Empire
• Fight the Invaders
• A New Hope
• Time Stands Still
• The Dark Emperor
• Blood & Ice
• The Final Battle
• The War Is Over