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Wolf Attack

    
       
       
       
     
             
Existance are a heavy metal band from France formed in 2008 by vocalist/guitarist Julian Izard. The band released their self titled E.P. in 2012, with their debut album 'Steel Alive' emerging in 2014. In 2016, the bands sophomore album 'Breaking The Rock' was released - the band making an appearance at the Hills Of Rock Festival in Bulgaria. In 2018, the band embarked on the Apocalypse Over Europe tour with Primal Fear and Riot V. And in 2021 'Wolf Attack', the bands third album, was released.    
             
The sound of the eighties NWOBHM evolution still lives - in France! The four piece heavy metal band Existance, are proof that the forty year old legacy set by bands such as Angel Witch, Iron Maiden, Raven, and Samson will live on for another forty years. Existance are young and hungry, and it shows on the bands third outing - all eleven songs and fifty four minutes of it! Album opener 'Highgate Vampire' sidles into sight with an anticipation filled first sixty seconds - exploding into a hurricane fuelled romp. The sound of traditional heavy metal that fills the air is "foot on the monitor", infectious, and head bang-able to the max. And after a five year recording break, Existance are back! And hitting harder than ever.    
             
With a heavier attitude, 'Deathbringer' moves the metal up a notch, portraying a glorious NWOBHM flavour - especially the guitar sound. Saviour is a very strong word...but maybe, just maybe, Existance are gonna be one of the saviours of traditional heavy metal. They're a young band with a long future in front of them, of that I am sure. With no break in the albums breathless intensity, the band move swiftly on with 'Power Of The Gods'. Much more melodic than the opening double salvo, the chorus is highly infectious and rabble rousing - a guaranteed certainty for a crowd sing a long. And the melodious streak remains unbroken as 'Rock 'N Roll' bridges the gap between heavy metal and hard rock. The up tempo and energetic nature of 'Rock 'N Roll' is ever so addictive, bringing smiles a mile wide to the faces of fans the world over. It really sounds like Existance are having fun - fun that is projected onto the listener.    
             
And the fun continues, the metal continues, and the fucking feel good tunes continue - 'Jenny's Dreams' the albums latest head banger, foot tapper, and sing a long-er... I defy anyone to not be thoroughly enjoying the latest offering from the French four piece...I know I am! And for the first time since the album began, the band reduce the pace, imposing a mid tempo heavy foot stomp for the anthemic-esque 'Sniper Alley'. Imagine a cross between British stalwarts Judas Priest and American metallers Manowar - and you have the sound of 'Sniper Alley'. And what a sound! And what an incredible turn of speed mid song...the fastest and most furious moment the album has shown so far. And the turn of speed is doubled for the blistering 'Preacher Of Insanity'. Galloping forth with all the purpose and poise of a thoroughbred racehorse, Existance bare their teeth with a ferocious thunderbolt - the fast paced and head bang-able 'Preacher Of Insanity'. For damn sure one of the best songs on the album.    
             
And if us rockers need any excuse or sentiment, Existance give it with the anthemic rabble rouser 'You Gotta Rock It' - a metallized version of the classic AC/DC boogie. Come on everyone, all together now, "you gotta rock it, you gotta rock it now, you gotta rock it, you gotta rock it loud". Hell yeah! The title song 'Wolf Attack' is another fast paced scorcher, the classic sound of traditional heavy metal filling the air. And the melodious side of 'Wolf Attack' (the song) is straight off the top shelf. The bands combination of traditional metal and the glorious sound of the NWOBHM is fucking fantastic - this album a must have addition to your metal collection. Now regular readers will know my stance on ballads appearing on metal albums...they shouldn't. But just like 'Maiden's 'Wasting Love' proving there's always exceptions to any rule or belief, Existance include 'Tears Of Fire' to a rapturous acknowledgment from me. 'Tears Of Fire' is a top notch power ballad. The emotion, the passion, the hairs on my forearms standing to attention - all signs that Existance have got it spot on - 'Tears Of Fire' is fucking awesome. The album is brought to a close with a cover of 'Gwendoline' - a song by French metallers H-Bomb, off their 1984 album 'Attaque'. Existance keep to the pace of the original, also singing in French just like H-Bomb did. A very good cover version to end a great album.    
             
Overall, a barn storming fifty four minutes of infectious and catchy traditional heavy metal.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Breaking The Rock      
           
"heavily influenced by the eighties NWOBHM evolution, 'Breaking The Rock' is a full on heavy metal assault of head banging and foot stomping heavy rock anthems" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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