Lycanthro – Mark Of The Wolf (2021)

Record debut shows that Canadian wolves are thirsty for blood

By Luiz Athayde

Metal and heavy metal is the watchword of the newest pack from Ontario, Canada to take the riff-dominated sonic sphere by storm: Lycanthro.

Lycanthro (Photo: Disclosure)

Although its history originated in 2014 when it was still called Death Wish, the band led by charismatic young vocalist and guitarist James Delbridge only released the first demo under the new name in 2017.

Formations followed in those few years and, after an EP and the first appetizer “Crucible”, the debut album, Mark of the Wolf arrives in 2021 via the Burning Sun Records stamp, including with all the pomp of a veteran band.

And this is easily explained: the compositions bring the melodic apparatus of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal mixed with the weight of the nineties brigades, especially influenced by the maximum god of metal, Rob Halford, in his solo flights and, of course, with Judas Priest; besides trash and even Death, properly “spread” as nuances in the disc’s course.

The aforementioned single showed the cards of what was to follow, but it is impossible not to mention the instigating title track or even “In Metal We Trust”, which more than a necessary cliché, is a testament to honesty.

Another one that stands out is “Into Oblivion”, for its dark and thrash metal approach. No honorable mention (because it’s another great track) for the almost hard rock ballad “Evangelion,” where Delbridge reveals his vocal skills, without the exaggerations of some typical vocalists of the style.

To leave the mark of the wolf, James counted on a brand new kitchen, composed of Forest Dussalt (guitar), Stew Everitt (bass), and Panos Andrikopoulos (drums). But more than that, Mark of the Wolf shows a guys thirsty for blood and eager to raise the flag of true metal to those who insist on saying it is dead. Now, press play.