COMMUNICATION LOST

3.5 stars. Man this was a disappointment the first time I heard it. I was actually shocked at how lyric heavy it was. Mind you once I read the words I have to hand it to them for writing such excellent lyrics. Still i'm a little put off with the direction they took here. For me it's always about the music first then the words, which is why I have such a hard time with most concept albums. Funny thing is the last really atmospheric album that WOLVERINE made was called "Cold Light Of Monday" and it was a concept album but I much prefer it to this one.Their debut is great because it is their heaviest, while "Still" combined that melodic style of ANATHEMA and KATATONIA to great effect. I've been a long time fan of these guys even going back to when the Zell brothers worked with the band BOOK OF HOURS which was more in the ANEKDOTEN style. So yes there is still lots to like here and if I could take off about 17 minutes (3 songs) it would easily be a four star record.This clocks in at about 70 minutes for the record.

"Downfall" and the next track "Into The Great Nothing" starts things off on a very high note.Two of my top three tracks right there.The first is dark and atmospheric as spoken words come in. Cello before 2 minutes when the words stop. It blends into the next one as the drums kick in right away and it sounds great. Riffs then vocals follow. It kicks in heavier after 2 1/2 minutes. It settles after 5 1/2 minutes then the vocals return. It kicks back in one more time.

"Poison Ivy" is okay but it's laid back with picked guitar, reserved vocals and cello. It does get fuller at times but..anyway it blends into "Your Favourite War" where it kicks in heavily right away. It settles back with vocals a beat and piano before a minute. I like the guitar after 3 minutes. Powerful stuff.

"Embrace" is too much like a ballad although I like the tribal-like drumming. "Pulse" is my other top three. It starts off in a reserved manner but it's catchy and dark.The tempo does pick up and guitar leads 4 minutes in.

"What Remains" is my least favourite. Piano, strings and reserved vocals go on for way too long. "In Memoery Of Me" is much better. Nice and heavy. It does settle back with vocals as the tempo continues to shift.

"In The Quiet" features vocals and a beat early on. A calm with vocals after 2 minutes then it turns heavier. "Communication Lost" kicks in before a minute.Vocals after 2 minutes and some relaxed guitar after 4 1/2 minutes. "A Beginning" has these spoken words like the opening track then the atmosphere rolls in after they stop.

Before I did this review tonight I took the time to listen to their three previous albums just to see how this stands up and I still feel that the others are better.That's just my taste in music of course as it seems many herald this as their best.