Wolf (song)
Encyclopedia
"Wolf" is a song by the American heavy metal
band Iced Earth
off their 2001 album Horror Show
.
The song may be the heaviest song of the album, and also one of the most technical. It starts out in what can be described as almost like a jam session
, with the minor key guitars setting the tone for virtually the rest of the album. At 00:45 the song changes direction, kicked off by a powerful F#5 delivered by vocalist Matt Barlow
, which he harmonizes with a Bb5, his highest note ever recorded, then morphs the notes into wolfen howls and holds out until 1:00, when the first verse begins. At which time, the band comes together to create a gallop, backing the theatrical, now tenor
stylings of Barlow.
During the chorus, the music becomes even more grueling than before, guitarist Jon Schaffer
delivering a seemingly hyper-speed background rhythm, while other guitarist Larry Tarnowski returns to the minor-keyed parts from the beginning. This all is backed by drummer Richard Christy
's equally fast double bass beat which closely matches Schaffer, and also sets the tone from for what he (Christy) will do for the rest of the album.
The lyrics deal with lycanthropy
, the transformation of a man into a wolf. The song seems to refer to the Wolf Man horror movies and the chorus is taken from a poem repeatedly heard in the films (although slightly changed). As with most songs on the album, the lyrics seem intended to draw pity rather than disgust from the monster, using lines such as "Innocence tainted by pure lunacy", "Cursed by the moonlight/a doomed changling", and the final verse line "It's maddening/an innocent victim finds his peace."
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Iced Earth
Iced Earth
Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
off their 2001 album Horror Show
Horror Show (album)
Horror Show is the debut EP by Springfield, IL rock band The Graduate. The album was self-produced and released independently in May 2006. After the CD's release, The Graduate were signed to Icon MES Records.- Track listing :# "Sit & Sink" - 3:34...
.
The song may be the heaviest song of the album, and also one of the most technical. It starts out in what can be described as almost like a jam session
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
, with the minor key guitars setting the tone for virtually the rest of the album. At 00:45 the song changes direction, kicked off by a powerful F#5 delivered by vocalist Matt Barlow
Matt Barlow
Matthew Barlow is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He is the former lead singer for Iced Earth. He is Jon Schaffer's brother-in-law.-History:...
, which he harmonizes with a Bb5, his highest note ever recorded, then morphs the notes into wolfen howls and holds out until 1:00, when the first verse begins. At which time, the band comes together to create a gallop, backing the theatrical, now tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
stylings of Barlow.
During the chorus, the music becomes even more grueling than before, guitarist Jon Schaffer
Jon Schaffer
Jon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
delivering a seemingly hyper-speed background rhythm, while other guitarist Larry Tarnowski returns to the minor-keyed parts from the beginning. This all is backed by drummer Richard Christy
Richard Christy
Thomas Richard Christy is an American musician and radio personality who currently works on The Howard Stern Show. Christy began to work on the show after winning the "Get John's Job" contest on July 1, 2004. He is known for his prank calls, song parodies, personality, and stunts performed on the...
's equally fast double bass beat which closely matches Schaffer, and also sets the tone from for what he (Christy) will do for the rest of the album.
The lyrics deal with lycanthropy
Lycanthropy
Lycanthropy is the professed ability or power of a human being to undergo transformation into a werewolf, or to gain wolf-like characteristics. The term comes from Greek Lykànthropos : λύκος, lykos + άνθρωπος, ànthrōpos...
, the transformation of a man into a wolf. The song seems to refer to the Wolf Man horror movies and the chorus is taken from a poem repeatedly heard in the films (although slightly changed). As with most songs on the album, the lyrics seem intended to draw pity rather than disgust from the monster, using lines such as "Innocence tainted by pure lunacy", "Cursed by the moonlight/a doomed changling", and the final verse line "It's maddening/an innocent victim finds his peace."
Personnel
- Matt BarlowMatt BarlowMatthew Barlow is an American heavy metal singer and police officer. He is the former lead singer for Iced Earth. He is Jon Schaffer's brother-in-law.-History:...
- lead vocals - Larry Tarnowski - lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
- Jon SchafferJon SchafferJon Ryan Schaffer is a heavy metal guitarist and songwriter. He is the founder of the heavy metal band Iced Earth. He was nominated for the title "Riff Lord" at the 2008 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.-Biography:...
- rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, backing vocals - Steve DiGiorgioSteve DiGiorgioSteve DiGiorgio is an American bassist and musician.DiGiorgio has played bass guitar in heavy metal bands such as Death, Autopsy, Control Denied, Testament, Vintersorg, Iced Earth, Sebastian Bach, Charred Walls of the Damned, Obituary, and is a founding member of Sadus. He is widely renowned for...
- bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Richard ChristyRichard ChristyThomas Richard Christy is an American musician and radio personality who currently works on The Howard Stern Show. Christy began to work on the show after winning the "Get John's Job" contest on July 1, 2004. He is known for his prank calls, song parodies, personality, and stunts performed on the...
- drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....