2025 kicks off on a high note for 80’s hard rock fans as Wildness return with their fourth album. Their collaboration with Frontiers seems to have given them a fresh boost, as the band has been in a more intense songwriting mode in recent years.
Having listened to their previous work multiple times—and having included their last two albums in my favorite lists of 2020 and 2021, respectively—I was eagerly anticipating this new release.
I can confidently say that Avenger not only does not disappoint, but it showcases a band with a more mature and distinct sound. This translates into a smoother sonic experience compared to their previous album. Listening to “Avenger”, it felt like a more natural continuation of “Ultimate Demise” than the equally excellent “Resurrection”. Maybe they took a step back, but that doesn’t bother me at all.
While this album may not feature a track like “Lonely Gir”l or the borderline heavy “Eternity Will Never Fall”, it delivers rock anthems such as the title track, the powerful opener “Wings of Fire”, and “Walk Through the Fire”, which closes the album with a bang!
Avenger doesn’t rely on musical acrobatics. Instead, it comes across as a more vibrant and cohesive album, with its warm production playing a key role. Adding to the mix, Erik Forsberg’s distinct and expressive vocals elevate the overall result to something truly powerful.
At the end of the day, this is an album that seems to have all the right ingredients to stand the test of time.
