Here’s a comeback I didn’t expect to see in 2026. Ten years have passed since the Swedes last released an album, the excellent “Machina Viva.” Yes, they released the “A Darkened Sun” EP in 2021, but there was a palpable silence in their camp.
“Anomalies” finds the band roughly where we left them with “Machina.” Their beloved death/prog days of the distant past may be a memory now, but that doesn’t mean their current sound is any less interesting.
Their progressive sound is intensely atmospheric and melodic. It brings to mind bands such as Green Carnation, Anathema, and many others. A distinctive feature is Stefan Zell’s fragile and emotional voice, which takes you on a journey. As in their previous works, they do not hesitate to experiment with more ambient sounds.
For me, Wolverine is one of those bands in the progressive scene that never got the publicity they deserve. With such a personal sound, it’s surprising that they never made it big, which is a shame.
If you’re not familiar with them, it’s worth starting your journey into their music with their first work, the 1999 EP “Fervent Dream,” to see how much they have evolved over the years.
Michael Ntalakos
