Wulfram

While heavy rock has shown a recent resurgence in America, it never really went away across the pond. Fellwoods are a relatively new band, but they’ve quickly made an impression in Europe while still remaining relatively unknown in their home base of Portland, Ore. After getting some digital ink from a few European metal blogs, Scottish label At War With False Noise rightfully scooped up the four-piece and released their debut LP, Wulfram (the vinyl version will come out this month on Swedish imprint Bear Trail Records). Taking their cue from bands with records that typically lurk deep within musty bins, Fellwoods connect the psychedelic wizardry of Sir Lord Baltimore with the Camaro-tested proto-metal of Rocka Rolla-era Judas Priest. Fellwoods guitarist-vocalist Adam Burke lets loose his banshee wail over wiry blues riffs that he describes as so dumb a 3-year-old could write them. While it’s clear the members are able musicians, there is still a loose, punk-rock energy in songs like “Widow Trakk” and “Crown.” And despite the fact that these might be the most genteel individuals to don head-to-toe denim, Fellwoods will still kick yer arse.