Wolfspring is the new project by JP Louveton, vocalist, guitarist and frontman for French prog-metal masters Nemo. And the self titled debut is just out, released by American based ProgRock Records.

With Wolfspring, Louveton is able to explore some new paths while keeping some of the characteristics from his main project intact and often even improved. The sound borders the pure contemporary progressive rock and has the power and heaviness of a metallic artrock ensemble. Combined, they are the architectural forces behind a great delivery that this Wolfspring is!

Maybe the fact that, in this particular project, the lyrics are sung in English will finally caught the attention of a wider audience that the underrated Nemo has been deserving for too long. But be warned that Wolfspring is not a mere English sung version of the other Jean-Pierre Louveton band. It is quite different even if having some common particularities.

Wofspring perfectly combines the dynamics and emotional strength of contemporary symphonic prog bands while leaning on the teachings of the legendary 70’s bands of this genre, such as the inescapable Genesis or even Pink Floyd, but then it adds it with the powerful and heavy attitude of progressive metal, in a way that many times resembles the approach of Pain Of Salvation or, obviously, Nemo and Saens. The great achievement is the equilibrium that is attained in this album while mixing the very apart approaches. The result is something I would gladly call Artrock-Metal. It is not metal in its purest sense as the scope here is much more focused on the crafted progressive compositions, but the edgy guitar riffing provides it with the power that the metal aesthetics normally present.

Instrumentally this is a very competent and complete package, as the band explores the acoustic atmospheres with subtle orchestrations with the same ease that they construct their heavier passages. The sonic experience goes from pastoral to aggressive without forced movements. All sounds in its right place and it flows naturally even when fully crossing the whole spectra of approaches. Just like Riverside, Enneade or even Porcupine Tree, the band captures all possible moods with focus and a rare competence and sense of purpose. And the listener tends to appreciate this album more and more each time it is played. From an initial smooth impact to the discovery of the details and the real soundscape that the music frames, the listener is invited to travel through an adventurous path and the music simply delivers it.

Contrary to many heavy prog albums out there, this is one of those releases that, despite its heavier moments, can (and will!!!) satisfy the purist proghead, the symphonic prog lover and the prog-metaller with the same ease. It is an album of sorts and completeness. An album to grow on the listener at each listen, and a true winner. I am simply loving it!