Review | Two Wolf – Two Wolf

Cleopatra Records

The southern rock movement is still alive in the USA, yet the old generation is carrying the torch. I am talking about Lynyrd Skynyrd, Outlaws, Molly Hatchet etcetera. There are a few names coming through (The Georgia Thunderbolts for instance) and one of them is Two Wolf. The line-up of this 4-piece outfit brings us some familiar names such as co-founder of Blackfoot Greg T. Walker (bass) and vocalist/guitar slinger Lance Lopez. Completing the group are drummer Rusty Valentine and guitarist/singer Kris Bell. The group has been together for several years, had some changes in line-up during that time but seems to have settled for the current line-up.

OBVIOUS STYLE?

Has Two Wolf chosen for an obvious southern rock style on their first album that came out a few months ago? Not completely as Walker with his southern rock background combines that with the blues rock background of Lopez, so it is safe to conclude that Two Wolf moves in between these two styles with the emphasis on southern rock. And it surely has worked out. What strikes me is the ‘rough and ready’ straight-in-your-face approach of these boys. The sound is hard and direct. The guitar solos are flying around in good southern style with Bell and Lopez trading riffs, licks, and solo acrobatics. Not something you hear that often anymore!

PRODUCTION, SONGS AND VOCALS

With this rather aggressive approach the band has kept the production simple and to the point, emphasising on heavy songs and only once and a while taking the foot of the gas pedal, but never for long. ‘Two Wolf’ is a high energy record. We are dealing here with a mix of self-penned compositions and the re-recording of some good old Blackfoot-tracks. ,,Too Hard To Handle’’ and ,,Fox Chase’’ are really cool to hear again. Two Wolf also re-recorded one of the best Blackfoot songs ever ,,Diary Of A Working Man’’. And here is where the (small) problem lies. Lance Lopez matches the roughness of Blackfoot’s main man Rickey Medlocke but the fine tune is not fully there on ,,Diary Of A Working Man’’. He does a good job but does not get there completely. Also, Kris Bell has a rough voice. Both lads have a similar type of voice and that also might be one of the reasons this album has this hard and sometimes ruthless edge. Nothing wrong with that. You just have to stand open for that.

TWO WOLF – THE CONCLUSION

Like I stated, albums like these are rather scarce today. If you are a fan of southern rock combined with some tough blues ‘Two Wolf’ answers the call. With tracks such as ,,Keep On Movin’’, ,,Romeo’’, ,,The Wrong Road’’, ,,Great Spirit’’, ,,Will I Believe’’ and ,,Traveler’’ plus the Blackfoot-tracks there are plenty of good tunes available. The guitar acrobatics are quite impressive and as a unit this record packs a hard and heavy punch. Bonus point for the gritty album cover! Just what the doctor ordered!

Release date: 6 June 2025