One of the best releases of the year on the gentle side. Swedish Wolverine play that high quality progressive metal that luckily is gaining prominence in the scene. Still is a perfect album to appeal to fans of different styles, whether they are diehard progressive fans or, like me, more of a casual listener of the genre. What I really appreciate about bands like Wolverine (and dislike about other more well known progressive outfits) is that they don’t get lost in their own ‘progressiveness’, no excessive frills, no over the top vocals, no endless keyboards that go absolutely nowhere and no pomposity.

This album is above all a group of beautiful melodies so well composed and performed that come into your head, stir all kinds of emotions and leave you wanting more. One of the essential elements is of course singer Stefan Zell’s beautiful and suggestive vocals, incredibly exposed and amazingly flawless on the almost a capella sung Nothing More for example. At times very similar to Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate on his lower pitch (which I prefer I must admit) but above all emotive and distinctive.

If you´re a fan of Opeth’s Damnation album, older Anathema o the band Dark Suns, add Still to your collection you won’t regret it.