Wolves & Thieves play melodic rock n' roll-inspired hardcore seeping with East Bay flavor. In the same way The Suicide File and Hour of the Wolf play music definitively rooted in hardcore punk, albeit with a heavy rock n' roll influence, Wolves & Thieves unquestionably sound like a hardcore punk band. They simply refuse to be fettered with the frustrating prescripts of the genre. Instead, they forge forward with a sound inspired by diverse musical tastes that rejects hardcore convention. The result is a demo that has me anxiously awaiting more material.
It's not often I feel the urge to air guitar along with a hardcore record, but this album is rife with guitar leads and swift solos that shred. But don't fret; there is no guitar wankery afoot. All of the leads and solos punctuate the given song's vibe. The aptly titled opener "Howlin' For You" serves as a blistering intro that immediately sets the demo's tone with the words: "We are the restless youth, three chords and the truth." The four tracks that follow, although slower paced, are infused with the same urgency the intro signals.
The lyrics focus on issues that originate in adolescence, but linger into adulthood. Struggles surrounding identity, growing up, and the pressures and frustrations encountered along the way are all addressed, but in a manner that is neither preachy nor overly abstract. The lyrics have a straightforward quality to them, but are sufficiently introspective that they make an impact. Vocalist Jeremy Lux is clearly passionate about his subject matter and he's written in a way that provides ample room for powerful sing-alongs. I have a strong feeling this material is going to especially shine live.
