Werewolf "Dim Mak" Video Launch

We recently caught up with the dynamic duo behind the exciting new project, Werewolf. For those yet to be initiated, Werewolf is the brainchild of guitarist Neal, a familiar face on the Belfast and Dublin scene, joining forces with the unmistakable vocals of Carl KingWoe King. As Neal enthusiastically put it, "Yes, it's myself on guitar and Carl KingWoe King on vocals."

But Werewolf's sonic tapestry is richer than just two threads. For their recordings, they've enlisted the talents of some esteemed friends: Jay Bagnall (Paranoid Visions) on drums, Conor Walls (Turfboy), Chris Craig (Vendetta Love), and, in a heartwarming touch, Carl's daughter Kerry on bass for one track. And adding a searing touch to "Dim Mak" is a solo by the tremendous Ed Brophy from Two Tales of Woe. Carl chimed in, describing Werewolf as the "brainchild of a creative monster (Neal) who wanted to Unleash what he had on the world, with his new writing partner (Carl)." Their shared admiration for shock rock icon Alice Cooper even prompted them to collaborate on a cover of "Cold Ethyl" as a tantalizing preview.

So, how did this beast of a band come to life? Neal explained that after his previous band concluded, he needed an outlet for an album he'd penned during lockdown. "The easiest way was linking up with Carl. I've wanted to do something with him for a long time, he's a really great friend, and his professionalism is second to none. Plus he can sing like no one I've worked with before." Carl echoed this sentiment, recalling their previous collaboration on the Aiseiri (All Ireland Metal Project) during Covid. "We agreed to work together again down the road, so when this opportunity came around, I couldn't refuse."

When it comes to their sound, Neal prefers the broad term "alternative" noting the diverse influences at play. "I love 'the Damned' and 'the Cure', so there's elements of that peppered throughout." While Carl is known for his metal roots, he finds Werewolf offers "something different to sink my teeth into..."

The band's moniker itself is steeped in their shared love for the darker side. "I've always been fascinated by the genre," Neal admitted, "as soon as I mentioned it to Carl he was delighted, 'American Werewolf in London' is one of our favourite movies for sure." Carl enthusiastically added, "With two horror fiends like us, we really wanted to weave that into the fabric of our new band. Like Neal said, American Werewolf In London is one of my favourite movies of all time. Plus, people are so over vampires, it's time for the lycans to rise!"

Delving into their musical journeys, Neal shared his long history within the Belfast and Dublin scenes, citing the contrasting influences of "Cliff Burton and Joe Perry of all people. Early Aerosmith is the one band that I have always returned to over the years." For Carl, his legacy lies with Two Tales of Woe (TTOW), now in their 20th year. "Woe is my musical baby and always will be." Interestingly, Carl also lends his talents to the total opposite genre as a backing vocalist and percussionist in a French folk and country band, The Sacreblues Band. As a frontman and lyricist, his inspirations include the iconic Jim Morrison (The Doors) and the intense Henry Rollins.

The track accompanying their debut video is the self-penned "Dim Mak." Neal explained its significance: "'Dim mak' is the first self-penned track we have released (Alice Cooper's 'Cold Ethyl' was recorded for Halloween last year to get the lads all in the one room and get the ball rolling). It's a fun song, one that represents our heavier side..." The lyrical inspiration comes from the intriguing world of martial arts and comic book lore. As Neal elaborated, "Google 'Count Dante'... the guy was undoubtedly a great talent at martial arts in the 70's, but he sold the 'Death touch' course to kids in adverts beside Sea monkeys and BMX's in my old Marvel comics. Obviously, it was a scam. Or was it?..."

Neal offered insight into their creative process, emphasizing the riff as the starting point. "I find some really great stuff through different tuning, trying a different guitar on a part. I'm an avid collector of guitars, and they always have a song in them somewhere." He finds lyrical inspiration in the "moody atmosphere" of the forest near his home, while Carl's extensive knowledge of horror provides a constant stream of ideas.

Gearheads will be interested to know that "Dim Mak" features Neal's Gibson Les Paul for most rhythm tracks, while his SG special graced their "Cold Ethyl" cover. The basslines were laid down with an Aria Pro P bass and his trusty Boss overdrive. The searing slide parts were played on his beloved 70s Dan Armstrong plexi copy, equipped with an Ibanez super distortion pickup. A Tokai V and a few Strats also made their sonic contributions to their recordings.

Looking ahead, Werewolf has some thrilling plans on the horizon. While a full-band gigging schedule is in the works, with members balancing commitments to projects like Two Tales of Woe, Turfboy, Vendetta Love, and Kerry’s Slayer tribute band, Ghosts of War, their immediate focus is on releasing a series of singles, leading up to a potential vinyl release later this year. As Neal teased, "Yes indeed, there's a few surprises in store, and I think you're going to like what we have been cooking up in the studio." Carl was even more direct: "Release Dim Mak and then unleash the album on you all!"

Keep your eyes and ears peeled, Werewolf is a pack you’re going to want to run with! Follow them on their socials at: Facebook | Instagram | Spotify