This is the third album released by these California melodic metallers, in 1989, and would be the last until they reunited in 2006. They would be lucky enough to have a major label supporting them until the original split. The label sure believed in them, as this was probably their final shot, and they pulled out all the stops bringing in mega rock producer Kevin Beamish to produce and Michael Wagener to mix. It sounds awesome, as it should, but there was a lot of competition around at the time.
Opening track Wicked Ways is a solid opening track with riffs aplenty. Street Ready follows, and is a sure fire winner. Killer riff and guitar sound, and the hands in the air hook and chorus make this a monster of a tune. Hideaway is half ballad and half rocker, a sort of by the numbers track of the time to change the pace of the record with the three axe attack having a chance to show off. Take A Chance is a standard uptempo groover with a four to the floor beat. Side 1 closes out with Black Knight, an instrumental speed/thrash metal blast with plenty of groove changes and lots of guitar, it is my favourite track on the album.
Thunder opens up Side 2 and it has a slight feel of Iron Maiden about it with an added hands in the air hook and chorus. Great tune! The Way I Feel is a bit of a let down after the onslaught of Thunder and this where this album fades. I mean the solo is killer but, will the real Leatherwolf please stand up? Too Much on the other hand is supercharged in comparison. A fast metal romp with a killer riff and double kicks giving it plenty. Then we go from that to a big production keyboard intro for Lonely Road, which is hair band love song-o-rama. Spirits In The Wind closes out the album and it’s back to the Maiden comparisons with the main riff and groove. I love the middle section, it’s a great song to go out on. Overall, it’s a good solid album but I can see why they were dropped.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
