Album Review: Lone Wolf – Together Alone

From the outset I think it’s important not to be put off by the band name, to me Lone Wolf is the kind of moniker that conjures up the worst excesses and clichès of heavy metal, and this is definitely not the case with this Dutch foursome’s sophomore release “Together Alone” that is out now via Stardumb Records with a co-release in Japan via Waterslide Records to follow. It’s been something of whirlwind twelve months since Lone Wolf dropped their self titled debut, they’ve toured relentlessly and hit underground festivals across mainland Europe and the US, stopping only to return to the studio to record “Together Alone” before emerging once more ready to hit the road.

The opening track “Can’t Stop You Anyway” confirms that Lone Wolf have continued down the same path from the debut album, the harsher aside of indie is blended with the more experimental side of punk, but that’s not to say that this is history repeating itself, even though it’s only been 12 months since their debut album their sound has been refined and sounds somehow grander and more focused. Tracks such as “Something To Destroy” and the album’s title track take an original approach to punk attitude, whereas the likes of “Heartbeat” and “Waiting For The Heart” flip things over and bring a more driven approach to the indie sound and “Don’t Know How” and “Without You” skewer the modern garage punk sound perfectly, although it must be said that such is the seamless blend of styles and influences you could interchange any of those song titles depending on your mood and record collection.

The Rotterdam based outfit consists of former members of Accelerators, The Apers, The Windowsill and The Bat Bites as well as a part time Masked Intruder, if you take those bands and add elements from The Marked Men, Mind Spiders, Pixies, Rocket From The Crypt, The Thermals and the Ramones you’ll have the foundation of Lone Wolf‘s sound. Lone Wolf have clearly skipped whatever issues exist with the traditionally difficult second album, with “Together Alone” they have surpassed their impressive debut full length with a sophomore release that manages to be instantly familiar and original simultaneously.