Philip Sayce: The Wolves Are Coming Review

Prominent blues rock guitarist Philip Sayce’s latest album, The Wolves Are Coming, emerges as a thunderous and fitting follow-up to his acclaimed effort Spirit Rising, released in 2021.  

The Welsh-born and Canadian-raised Philip Sayce is a respected name in the world of blues rock, having established himself as a prominent figure in the industry through his unique brand of fiery heavy blues. From playing with icons such as Jeff Healey and Melissa Etheridge to embarking on a successful solo career, Sayce has been a prolific and creative performer, consistently summoning mountains of forceful, energizing blues rock. On The Wolves Are Coming, he cranks it up a notch, adding even more grit and energy to the proceedings.  

Recorded at Station House Studios in Los Angeles under the guidance of Grammy-winning engineer Mark Rains, the album, released through Atomic Gemini, Sayce’s label, features drummers Michael Leasure, Aaron Sterling and Fritz Lewak, pianist Fred Mandel, and vocalist Bernie Barlow as additional performers.   

The record is on the offensive from the very start with “Oh! That Bitches Brew”, a bludgeoning rocker with loads of fiery guitar work and high-powered vocals. It’s a very strong opener that sets the tone for what comes next. 

The funky, lighthearted “Lady Love Divine” softens Sayce’s attack, but not for long, since the mid-paced, wah-wah-laced beast “Your Love” quickly brings back the roaring thunder.  

Then, another haven from the storm emerges with “It’s Over Now”, a bluesy ballad with a poignant lead break just before Sayce plunges right back into his heavy rock antics with “Black Moon”. 

Another rocker, “The Moon Is Full” is also a highlight, anchoring itself in meaty riffs and fierce, abrasive soloing, while the instrumental number “Intuition” and the front-porch blues “This Is Hip” highlight once again Sayce’s softer, melody-focused side.   

The monstrous “Backstabber” emerges on the back end of the album. A furious mid-paced rocker with feral lead work and a seismic main riff, “Backstabber” also manages to be incredibly catchy and is certainly among Sayce’s strongest numbers.  

Regarding the album’s production and mixing, it becomes evident that they play a crucial role in shaping the album’s overall atmosphere. While the record’s production is far from lo-fi, there’s a seemingly deliberate retention of grit and dirtiness that adds to the album’s raw, primal appeal. This intentional roughness around the edge heightens the visceral embrace of the music at play here.

Another strength of the album lies in its ability to blend aggression with moments of introspection and vulnerability, which adds a welcome touch of variety and highlights Sayce’s versatility as a songwriter. However, one might just feel that it’s the more aggressive numbers that truly propel the record forward. Unleashing a tidal wave of pent-up frustration, the fierce numbers crackle with an exhilarating and cathartic intensity. There’s an anger present in these songs, but it’s a righteous anger that serves as a release valve for the tumultuous emotions that, according to Sayce himself, were present during the album’s writing and recording process.

To put it short, The Wolves Are Coming is simply a great record that rivals the best in Sayce’s discography. Highly recommended.  

The Review: 9/10

Can’t Miss Tracks

– Oh! That Bitches Brew
– Your Love
– It’s Over Now
– The Moon Is Full
– Intuition
– Backstabber

The Big Hit

– Backstabber

Buy the album: Amazon