Review HUNGER “Ruler of the Wolves” – EP

Several bands have the name Hunger, but only one released an EP called “Ruler of the Wolves.” The members of Hunger are Dizzy D., Jara Solís, Rudolf V., and Vick Rodríguez. For their EP, they also included Fabio Alessandrini on drums.

Inspired by the sound of the ’80s, Hunger fuses speed and power metal into a furious blend of haunting riffs and a pounding beat. To describe Hunger’s music, we can start at the end of the six-song tracklist. The band covered “Beware the Demons,” a Stormwitch song that was never officially released. The band only played it live, and it ended up as an extra on the 2004 version of “Stronger Than Heaven.” Covering such a song reveals Hunger’s musical influences. They recorded a pretty good version of the mid-80s metal tune, keeping the basic feel alive while adding some rough edges. making “Beware the Demons” a great finale with the typical “ohohoh” sing-along.

The EP kicks off with an intro called “Descent Into Abyss,” which is a powerful beginning. It’s more of an instrumental that leans towards ‘metal. “Hunger” is the first full-length track, a blistering fusion of speed and heaviness. The song invites fans to some headbanging, and the chorus is perfect for chants during live shows. While listening to this EP, I thought of bands like Stormwitch, but also Omen, Forte, and Running Wild.

The title track is the most versatile on the album, starting with a gloomy bassline. Guitars join in as “Ruler of the Wolves” gains full speed. This metal anthem has a bit of Chastain embedded in it. Last but not least is the furious “Sabotage.” “Sabotage” manifests the hunger for metal in a great way. With a fast-paced structure, the song embodies metal with each note and represents the underground spirit with all its passion and intensity.

“Ruler of the Wolves” is a remarkable release. Hunger is fully dedicated to their music, and what they bring to the table is a delight for anyone who likes raw heavy metal with edges. Yet, “Ruler of the Wolves” comes with a well-balanced sound, making listening to this release a pleasant experience.