WOLFSBANE — All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place! (review)

WOLFSBANE — All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place! album cover EP · 1990 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Vim Fuego
Wolfsbane will forever suffer the same fate as Flotsam and Jetsam, Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies and Samson. Yes, the former member who goes on to bigger and better things syndrome. Flotsam And Jetsam, Exodus and Suicidal Tendencies all provided Metallica with new members, while Samson and Wolfsbane both gave Iron Maiden a voice.

No one makes music like this any more. Wolfsbane were one of the supposed new saviours of the British rock scene in the early 1990s. Taking cues from the NWOBHM, their sound borrowed heavily from the likes of Iron Maiden and Saxon, via Motley Crüe. This six song release showcased the full range of Wolfsbane's abilities in one easily digested package.

And what brilliant fun it all is! Galloping tracks like "Steel" and "Loco", an LA cock rock sound-alike in "Paint The Town Red", the schoolboy sleaze of "Totally Nude", the compulsory power ballad in "Hey Babe", and the b-movie sci-fi tribute of "Kathy Wilson".

Of course, we all know Blaze went on to sing for Iron Maiden, but his work in Wolfsbane was under appreciated. While Bruce Dickinson is the obvious comparison, Blaze's voice also contains elements of David Lee Roth, Saxon's Biff Byford, and the odd touch of Peter Frampton. That said, his voice really is unique, which was perhaps his undoing in Maiden.

But Wolfsbane was hardly "Blaze Bayley and supporting musicians". This lot were a band in the truest sense. And what a band. On this and other releases, Wolfsbane created energetic, fun metal/rock. "Loco" gives guitar ace Jase Edwards the chance to show off a little. When this was released in 1990, guitar slingers like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai were very popular. While not quite up to their self-indulgent histrionics, the guy can play, and unlike Vai (playing in Whitesnake at the time), his virtuosity suits the band's style very nicely.

This forgotten gem would be excellent for listening to while at a party at a mate's house. It's easy to listen to, even for non-metal fans, you can jump about to it, and it's a lot of fun. It is also of curiosity value to see what Blaze was doing pre-Maiden.
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