Kill the Hunted is the first new studio album from California heavy metal band Leatherwolf in over 15 years, and looks to juggle memories of their past glories, specifically their late '80s album Street Ready. The line-up here for Kill the Hunted is:
Keith Adamiak- vocals
Rob Math -lead & rhythm guitars
Luke Man- lead guitars
Dean Roberts- drums
Barry Sparks- bass
Wayne Findlay- keyboards on 'Kill the Hunted' and 'The Henchman'
Those familiar with Leatherwolf will note that only drummer Roberts remains from the original line-up, but alongside Math, who has now been with the band for many years, they are joined by powerhouse new vocalist Adamiak, guitarist Man, and two veterans from Michael Schenker Group, Sparks & Findlay. Whitesnake lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra also contributes a solo on one track.
In trademark Leatherwolf form, expect loads of riff-o-rama and blazing lead guitars, with Adamiak's venomous, slightly sleazy vocals stabbing through the six-string mix. Some of the highlights here include the '80s inspired mashers "Nobody", "Hit the Dirt", "Only the Wicked", and the headbanging attack of "Madhouse". Honestly, if you want pedal-to-the-metal guitar mayhem, look no further than "Medusa" and the blistering "Road Rage", where both guitar players unleash a wild torrent of nasty riffs over jackhammer drumming, all the while Adamiak's aggressive vocals slay everyone in his path.
While some may say that Kill the Hunted is Leatherwolf in name only, this is nevertheless a kick ass album of testosterone fueled heavy metal that surprised the hell out of me, and is easily recommended.
Track Listing
- "Hit The Dirt"
- "Nobody"
- "Kill The Hunted"
- "Only The Wicked"
- "Madhouse"
- "Medusa"
- "The Henchman"
- "(Evil) Empires Fall"
- "Road Rage"
- "Lights Out Again"
- "Enslaved"