Man, this new album Slaves of the Wolf from Bear Mace is a banger and a half! A throwback death metal band from the fertile breeding ground that is Chicago, Illinois, the quintet have been parading their wares since the early 2010’s. Immediately noticeable are the impressive vocals from Chris Scearce – as he has a great growl to him. Sounds like he’s just chewing glass and letting the blood coat his throat to sing! Now, on the guitar front you’ve got Mark Sugar and Tommy Bellino whose riffs sound like something Wyatt and Doc (IYKYK) would feed unsuspecting law breakers again and again. The opening title track is proof positive there, Jackson.
Up next you’ve got “Worthless Lives” sounding like Garry Naples (drums) and John Porada (bass) will gut you like a fish, then fry you up with butter and paprika! Now “The Iceman Cometh” was easily my favorite song, the band going for it like their lives depend on it. Next up is “Captured And Consumed”, a tune that comes for you like the machines in Maximum Overdrive. “Heretics Burn” will definitely rile your inner pyromaniac up, while “Prophecy” will leave you with some head trauma for sure.
Closer “Cancerous Winds” was another favorite from jump, and if this isn’t in all future live sets then I don’t know my business. All told, with album number three Bear Mace has given us a wager with Slaves of the Wolf that pays off with compound interest. You’ll be glad you have been a part of this experience.
Standout Tracks: “Cancerous Winds”, “The Iceman Cometh”, “Slaves of the Wolf”, “Captured And Consumed”.