Stream It From The Mountain: Wolves At The Gate – “VxV”

The Dayton-based Christian metal band Wolves At The Gate released their stunning sophomore album, VxV (five by five) last week via Solid State Records.  Armed with this new release and their two EPs and promising debut, the band has quickly solidified their spot at the top of the Christian metal scene’s food chain.              

With well-regarded pastor John Piper piping in on the introductory title track, “VxV”, Wolves At The Gate set the tone right from the start.  Frontman Steve Cobucci pulls no punches leading the band as they preach the Gospel.  They are not merely focused on creating the most brutal breakdown for the mosh-pit; their metal is laced with more melody and lyrical substance than their peers and standout track “Wake Up” is as anthemic as its title suggests with a call and response refrain and an impassioned plea that speaks to believers that are just going through the motions - “actors without action”.  Following that is “Dust To Dust” with its unrelenting rhythm and swirling vocal melodies that reach for the rafters.  Later, “Relief” marries propulsive heaviness with emotional heaviness as ringing guitars and emotionally-charged vocals set the scene for the uplifting, depression-themed lyrics to take effect for another standout moment.  Next, “The Bird And The Bee” weaves a dark yet truthful tale with vivid Biblical-based imagery that sounds like a newly discovered Aesop’s Fable.  The twelve-track album closes out with the hopeful message of “The Father’s Bargain” which was inspired by a short story of the same name by a 1600’s Puritan writer, John Flavel and is accompanied by the most dynamic and ambitious arrangement on the album.                              

Stream VxV here:

For more info: http://www.wolvesatthegate.com/ and http://www.solidstaterecords.com/