Artist: LEATHERWOLF
Album: WORLD ASYLUM LTD. EDIT. (DIGI)

Year: 2006
Media type: CD

Long before British metal legends Iron Maiden picked up on the concept, a pack of hungry Huntington Beach, CA-based teenagers, collectively known as LEATHERWOLF, pioneered and perfected the heavy metal Triple Axe Attack - documented via a trifecta of critically acclaimed and much worshipped '80's scorchers. The eponymous debut EP, expanded to a full-length LP, entitled 'Endangered Species' for international release, and a pair of stunning albums for Island Records, 'Leatherwolf' and 'Street Ready' (yielding the MTV videos 'The Calling' and 'Hideaway', respectively), saw the band flying the flag of decidedly European-styled metal amidst a sea of formulaic, glammed out L.A. and OC contemporaries.

After a lengthy self-imposed break, the band's classic line-up resurfaced in 1999 with a storming live album, 'Wide Open', which went on to sell well over 10.000 copies without the support of a label or extensive touring, underscoring LEATHERWOLF's unbroken appeal among metal enthusiasts. The band also made a triumphant return to Europe by special invitation with a one-off gig at the prestigious Wacken Festival in Germany.

Fast forward to 2006 and a re-energized and re-vitalized LEATHERWOLF. Featuring new voice Wade Black (ex-Crimson Glory, Seven Witches), guitarist Eric Halpern (ex-Destiny's End, Helstar), and bassist extraordinaire Pete Perez (Riot, Spastic Ink) alongside original members, guitarist Geoff Gayer and drummer Dean Roberts, the band have assembled their most lethal line-up yet - and forged the tunes to once again turn the metal world on its ear with 'World Asylum.' "We've had a lot of obstacles to overcome to finally get to this point, including losing members along the way, but it was well worth the effort", reflects Roberts who also serves as producer and engineer on the new outing. "I can honestly say that this is our best record ever - it's heavy, it's progressive, and it’s metal through and through. This is the album we've always wanted to make but couldn't for various reasons, but we got it right this time around."

And upon getting a dose of future lupine classics such as 'I Am The Law', 'Dr.Wicked (Rx O.D.)', or 'Behind the Gun', which touch on such timely subjects as assisted suicide, domestic violence, and the criminal underbelly of the beast - who would want to argue with the drummer's bold statement. Fusing familiar LEATHERWOLF trademarks with a modern-day edge, commanding vocals, and ten-ton hammer sonics, courtesy of Danish studio whiz Jacob Hansen (Rob Rock, Communic, Raunchy) who was brought in for the mix, 'World Asylum' impacts with the force of a head-on crash and exhibit the group's superior knack for powerful, anthemic songwriting that's always separated these SoCal men from the boys.

TRACKLIST:

1. I Am The Law
2. King Of The Ward
3. Behind The Gun
4. Live Or Die
5. Disconnect
6. Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)
7. Institutions
8. Derailed
9. The Grail
10. Never Again

LINE-UP:

Wade Black - vocals
Geoff Gayer - guitars
Eric Halpern - guitars
Pete Perez - bass
Dean Roberts - drums