Now 20 years into their musical career, Swedish act Wolverine find themselves on Sensory Records for their sixth release Machina Viva. The bands somber yet melodic approach to progressive metal is fully on display throughout this new album, an 8 track affair that should instantly appeal to fans of Katatonia, Anathema, and Circus Maximus with its mix of brooding riffs, soaring vocals, catchy hooks, and dreamy keyboard soundscapes.
The band kicks off Machina Viva with the epic 14-minute "The Bedlam Overture", with lovely synth melodies and alluring rhythms drifting along, the occasional heavy riff, guitar & bass solo punctuating what is otherwise a dreamy yet dramatic track highlighted by Stefan Zell's incredible vocals. "Machina" follows, a lush slice of melodic prog with layers of vocals and keyboard orchestrations, while "Pile of Ash" takes on more of a pop ballad route, another great vehicle for Zell's commanding vocal talents. Plenty of catchy hooks and symphonic arrangements to be found on "Our Last Goodbye" (think of some of the more recent, hook laden material of Anathema), and it's not until "Pledge" that the band dives back into more metallic realms, this one a dark, moody rocker filled with crunchy riffs, grandiose keys, and once again Zell's soaring vocals. "Nemesis" also hits hard & heavy in spots, a dense prog rocker with some fantastic lead guitar, bass, and synth solos to go along with vibrant arrangements that are quite symphonic in nature. "Sheds" closes out the album on a tranquil, emotional note, with Zell's heartfelt vocal supported by sumptuous organ & synths, allowing the listener to drift off into the heavens pondering this highly textured, layered, and colorful album.
That actually really sums up Machina Viva quite perfectly; this is an album of many layers, many tones, many colors, and many textures, generally moody, but bright in spots, and always dripping with emotion. Wolverine definitely offer a different take on progressive metal, but as always it's a refreshing one and Machina Viva is another winner from them.
As a bonus, there's a 'naked' version of "Pile of Ash" with Zell supported by cello...remarkable and gorgeous to say the least.
Track Listing
1) The Bedlam Overture
2) Machina
3) Pile of Ash
4) Our Last Goodbye
5) Pledge
6) When The Night Comes
7) Nemesis
8) Sheds
9) Pile of Ash (Bonus)
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