Austin, Texas punk outfit Starving Wolves has seemingly created their best record yet in The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang. This album has enthralling instrumentals and vivid lyricism, the band has pulled out all the stops.
“Nothing More” the album’s lead track and first single starts majestically. The guitars softly strum an almost medieval melody, and a striking trumpet enters with a regaling tune. With the drums alongside this, the track is elevated even more. As if the beauty weren’t enough, the guitar rattles its way in with a typical punk edge, and a Spanish guitar weaves in, providing another soft touch. The track battles between traditional punk throwdown and poetic trumpets until the end. It almost feels completely out of left field for a punk band. In a way, it is.
Most of the album transitions from an almost stadium rock feel into a more typical punk sound, but little hints remain. On “Alec’s Song,” the first minute is dominated by an almost Norse-like chorus with chants and grunts paired with guitar and drums. It sounds like a group of warriors rowing a battleship across fierce waters. Soon, it devolves into a thrashing sound with tons of cymbals and speedy drums, but hints remain in the backing vocals and the track’s lyrics. They easily paint a picture of a crew that would never give up, that battles every second by each other’s side and understands the consequences that come with it.
“Autumn’s wind will pass us by / Together forward into nowhere / Together, together we fall behind.”
Speaking of the album’s lyrics, they aren’t just one-dimensional; they have a lot of weight thrown behind them and their placement is perfect. On “Mixed Blood” half of the song’s lyrics are in Spanish, allowing the song’s title to be reflected easily.
Other songs have a more foreboding lyrical sense, like “Love Is Fleeting.” This track details the struggle between everyday life and the sometimes overpowering emotions of love. The choir-tinged vocals in the chorus are a great touch that keeps the track interesting.
The best track, however, is saved for last, both review-wise and on the album itself. “Wildfire” is an emotional song tinged with soft guitar that perfectly matches its powerful rhythm, deep bass and incredible vocals. The orchestration separates it from all the other songs and it has a great groove for a vulnerable track.
“Your brown eyes burn inside me like a wild fire in a sea of gasoline / I’m ripping myself into pieces / Nothing there left for me.”
Starving Wolves has created an incredible album where words barely do the art justice. When listening to the album, its nature will be easily apparent; just let the music burn inside and see that wildfire burn.
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