fri 11/10/2024

CD: Wolfmother – Victorious | reviews, news & interviews

CD: Wolfmother – Victorious

CD: Wolfmother – Victorious

The song remains pretty much the same for the Aussie hard rockers

Victorious: Driving grooves and riffing guitars

 

Wolfmother have made something of a name for themselves over the last decade or so by grafting classic 1970s hard rock moves onto stoner grooves and letting their freak flag fly. Anyone who is keen for more from the same template is going to be more than happy with Victorious, the band’s fourth long-player and first since 2014’s New Crown. Wolfmother’s line-up may have been somewhat fluid over the years, but the song more or less remains the same. Not that it’s a bad thing, as there’s always a place for lively, in-your-face heavy rock music.

Nevertheless, new textures and flavours do make an appearance on Wolfmother’s latest outing – even if they are somewhat subtle in the main. In and among the driving grooves and riffing guitars, “Baroness” and “City Lights” also add a splash of anthemic and melodic 1980s spandex metal, but they don’t break from tradition too much. However, while Wolfmother may be no strangers to showing off their sensitive side, “Pretty Peggy” does come as a bit of a shock. Marrying Vance Joy-like folkie pop to Coldplay-esque “Oh-oh-oh”-fuelled choruses, it does stick out here like a sore thumb.

Still, there is also plenty of rawktastic powered riffing with more than a hint of the Ozzy Osbourne-flavoured vocals that long-time listeners have come to expect. “The Love That You Give” and “Victorious” provide a formidable double-barrelled opener, and “Simple Life” and “Gypsy Caravan” lay down some serious head-banging stoner stuff. It is, however, “Best Of A Bad Situation” that provides the album’s highlight. Sunny West Coast vibes wind themselves around a hefty groove for a tune that could become something of a highlight come festival time – and I suspect that's the arena where Wolfmother might truly shine.

Anyone who is keen for more from the same template is going to be more than happy with Victorious

rating

Editor Rating: 
3
Average: 3 (1 vote)

Explore topics

Share this article

Add comment

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

newsletter

Get a weekly digest of our critical highlights in your inbox each Thursday!

Simply enter your email address in the box below

View previous newsletters