Review by Drew on June 18, 2008.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, Leatherwolf is a band that has been around for quite a while, since the mid-1980’s in fact, so it’s no surprise that they know what they are doing and what they want to accomplish when one listens to their latest album, New World Asylum. Mike Olivieri returns as lead vocalist to complete the original line-up for this latest installment along with existing members Geoff Gayer and Carey Howe on guitars, Paul Carmen on bass, and Dean Roberts on drums.

When first listening to New World Asylum I get a since of familiarity, like I’ve heard something like this before, then it dawns on me. It seems so familiar because Olivieri’s vocals sound somewhat a little like Dave Mustaine’s of Megadeth, especially in the song, “Behind the Gun”, but with a cleaner, more controlled sound. With that being said, I don’t see how anyone could get tired of hearing Olivieri deliver the lyrics on this release. It’s very rare to find a singer now days that actually has talent, but Olivieri definitely showcases his talent on New World Asylum.

“Kind of the Ward” is probably the most solid song on New World Asylum. With lyrics like, “No soul, don’t try to save me, I’m way beyond repair”, you get the feeling as if you are sitting there, in a ward haunted by what Olivieri is trying to tell you. This song also showcases a perfect example of flawless guitars almost like that of Iron Maiden. Dare I say Leatherwolf is just as good, if not better than Iron Maiden? Yes, I do believe this after hearing New World Asylum in its entirety. Some other notable tracks are “I Am the Law”, “Behind the Gun”, “Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)”, and “Derailed”. One downfall this album has is not being long enough. After each song I was hoping for and needing more.

Bottom Line: New World Asylum is almost an instant classic with a hint of 80’s metal sound.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by Drew on June 18, 2008.

Hailing from Huntington Beach, California, Leatherwolf is a band that has been around for quite a while, since the mid-1980’s in fact, so it’s no surprise that they know what they are doing and what they want to accomplish when one listens to their latest album, New World Asylum. Mike Olivieri returns as lead vocalist to complete the original line-up for this latest installment along with existing members Geoff Gayer and Carey Howe on guitars, Paul Carmen on bass, and Dean Roberts on drums.

When first listening to New World Asylum I get a since of familiarity, like I’ve heard something like this before, then it dawns on me. It seems so familiar because Olivieri’s vocals sound somewhat a little like Dave Mustaine’s of Megadeth, especially in the song, “Behind the Gun”, but with a cleaner, more controlled sound. With that being said, I don’t see how anyone could get tired of hearing Olivieri deliver the lyrics on this release. It’s very rare to find a singer now days that actually has talent, but Olivieri definitely showcases his talent on New World Asylum.

“Kind of the Ward” is probably the most solid song on New World Asylum. With lyrics like, “No soul, don’t try to save me, I’m way beyond repair”, you get the feeling as if you are sitting there, in a ward haunted by what Olivieri is trying to tell you. This song also showcases a perfect example of flawless guitars almost like that of Iron Maiden. Dare I say Leatherwolf is just as good, if not better than Iron Maiden? Yes, I do believe this after hearing New World Asylum in its entirety. Some other notable tracks are “I Am the Law”, “Behind the Gun”, “Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)”, and “Derailed”. One downfall this album has is not being long enough. After each song I was hoping for and needing more.

Bottom Line: New World Asylum is almost an instant classic with a hint of 80’s metal sound.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 10
Originality: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 1, 2019.

Newcomers Xantam arrive with a few tricks up their sleeves, taking the black/death metal sub-genre and combining it with a flurry of rhythmic/melodic overtones (among other things) helping to create a unique sound and experience. The solo project debut, Altered States, is a short and memorable effort that is equipped with lifting melodic patterns that are almost epic at times such as on 'Pseudogods' and the self-titled 'Altered States'. Merely 2 tracks of metal with the addition of an intro being 'Starlit Oblivion' and an outro, 'Devolution', both marinating the effect of the keyboard synth landscapes that add a sense of majesty and enchantment working together. Altered States is roughly black/death metal that has sort of an ongoing affair with Scandinavian black metal, dungeon synth and lightweight melodic death metal. I say light weight because it often cracks the seal of galloping drums, persistent growling and tremolo picking to show its colors but barely sticks around long enough to take a few breaths before being buried by the more dominant elements.

The songs in between play like expansions to the synth that once heard, continue to buzz-around your ears, yet amidst the magical, and soothing presence of those keys lies a warlike attitude thanks to those loud death metal growls, fast tempos and battle-mech type drumming that is fast and tight plus has a similar double bass tone and technique to that heard on Immortal's "Battles in the North". I don't know if they were programmed but if they were not hats off to Xantam the Beholder. This individual can play, and I hope the next record to materialize from the solo project continues along this path. Usually with an EP a band is most likely searching for their sound or beginning to build their foundation, but here on Altered States, Xantam seems to have it figured out, that's impressive particularly given the fact so many diverse sounds contributed to its crafting. Altered States exhibits a profound type of musicianship that echoes a friendship between chaos, melody and stability. Nothing needs to be changed, its present state need not be altered, if he can pull out 38 minutes of this for a debut full-length I would be more than satisfied.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Alex on December 1, 2019.

Newcomers Xantam arrive with a few tricks up their sleeves, taking the black/death metal sub-genre and combining it with a flurry of rhythmic/melodic overtones (among other things) helping to create a unique sound and experience. The solo project debut, Altered States, is a short and memorable effort that is equipped with lifting melodic patterns that are almost epic at times such as on 'Pseudogods' and the self-titled 'Altered States'. Merely 2 tracks of metal with the addition of an intro being 'Starlit Oblivion' and an outro, 'Devolution', both marinating the effect of the keyboard synth landscapes that add a sense of majesty and enchantment working together. Altered States is roughly black/death metal that has sort of an ongoing affair with Scandinavian black metal, dungeon synth and lightweight melodic death metal. I say light weight because it often cracks the seal of galloping drums, persistent growling and tremolo picking to show its colors but barely sticks around long enough to take a few breaths before being buried by the more dominant elements.

The songs in between play like expansions to the synth that once heard, continue to buzz-around your ears, yet amidst the magical, and soothing presence of those keys lies a warlike attitude thanks to those loud death metal growls, fast tempos and battle-mech type drumming that is fast and tight plus has a similar double bass tone and technique to that heard on Immortal's "Battles in the North". I don't know if they were programmed but if they were not hats off to Xantam the Beholder. This individual can play, and I hope the next record to materialize from the solo project continues along this path. Usually with an EP a band is most likely searching for their sound or beginning to build their foundation, but here on Altered States, Xantam seems to have it figured out, that's impressive particularly given the fact so many diverse sounds contributed to its crafting. Altered States exhibits a profound type of musicianship that echoes a friendship between chaos, melody and stability. Nothing needs to be changed, its present state need not be altered, if he can pull out 38 minutes of this for a debut full-length I would be more than satisfied.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10