I was introduced to Wolverine by hearing their amazing first full-length release The Window Purpose. I can't fathom how many times I might have played that disc because it's so incredibly well-crafted. In the last three years I've been looking for Fervent Dream every where with no success. It seems like this disc has gone out of print long ago. Luckily, I managed to pick it up when it was re-released with two bonus tracks. It's certainly a great feeling being able to listen to something you've been curious of for so long, but unfortunately it does come across a bit disappointing to find out that Wolverine still had a lot of room to grow and mature musically when they put out this release.
The Fervent Dream EP is certainly a step back from The Window Purpose. But then as I picked up their new one The Cold Light of Monday last year and was slightly let down too, maybe I was wrong to expect something as perfect as The Window Purpose. With that said, Fervent Dream, unlike TCLOM, is much more in the vein of TWP and that's definitely a good thing. Unfortunately the songwriting is less focused and level of musicality falls a bit short. It is clear by listening to this EP that each member of the band had a lot to learn and improve themselves since it's evident that they covered a long way in the two years in between.
The EP clocks in at over 32 minutes and as the last trick is an acoustic instrumental running less than 2 minutes, every other song is longer than the 7-minute mark except "More than Grief" which runs 6:32 minutes. "Whispers on the Wind" and "Echoes" are reminiscent of the songs on The Window Purpose but Stefan Zell's vocal melodies aren't quite as effective and there are more death vocals present on this disc. Actually drummer Marcus Losbjer uses his death grunts in all the songs, unlike The Window Purpose. The songs are all a good indication that this band can pen solid prog metal tunes but the coherence is a lot more subtle on their subsequent releases. Listening to this EP, I felt they released this to send out to record labels to get a deal, which they succeeded.
The bonus tracks also sound like TWP outtakes. One of them is a heavy, rocking tune while the other one is a short instrumental with some atmospheric noises. This is an extremely difficult release to find so be sure to pick it up if you're a Wolverine fan. I however can't recommend their second release The Window Purpose enough, because it's just one of the best dark prog metal releases from Sweden. Lots of Fates Warning influences are mixed with touches of Pain of Salvation and Trivial Act on it.
Track Listing
- Whispers on the Wind
- Echoes
- More Than Grief
- Again?
- Last Words
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