Old Wolf

Old Wolf is a new heavy metal band from Somerset, Kentucky, after a self titled demo tape from 2015, they are back with their first album "Faustian Mass", we had a chat with lead singer Rick Langford.

Q. – Hello Rick, when did Old Wolf start? Tell us a bit about the beginning of the band.

Rick - I managed a restaurant and the other main songwriter and guitarist Jake was an employee of mine. I had "retired" from playing music as I had entered my 30's. Jake was on a mission to get me to admit that Iron Maiden was the greatest band that had ever been. So after many drunken nights of jamming the back catalog I asked him to alter some of his original works into a traditional heavy metal style. The result was the track that would become Trail of Tears. From there "Your Keeper" was written specifically with that approach in mind. And so on...

Q. - Who are your main influences?

Rick - From a band viewpoint definitely Iron Maiden, Sabbath, Dio, Priest, King Diamond etc.

Personally my biggest influences as a child were Freddie Mercury, Axl Rose and Elvis Presley.

Q. - How did the name "Old Wolf" came up?

Rick - After a million other names were rejected, someone mentioned "Alter Wolf" as german for Old Wolf. We decided "why not just use Old Wolf?"

Q. - Did you sing in other metal bands before Old Wolf?

Rick - No, this is my first go at Metal. I was Hard Rock beforehand.

Q. - "Faustian Mass" it's out now, but it's been 3 years since the edition of the demo tape "Old Wolf", why did you take so long to record the album? Did you have problems finding a label?

Rick - Not really problems finding distribution, we just kept having lineup changes.

Q. - What expectations do you have for the album? Will it have distribution in Europe?

Rick - We have no expectations at all. We just hope it gets heard. As far as European distribution, if someone wants to put it out, contact us through Facebook.

Q. - What about shows? Are there any plans of touring supporting the album?

Rick - We play small runs of about 3 shows at a time but just keep having lineup changes that make touring impossible for now.

Q. - Do you feel there is a heavy metal revival in Kentucky or in the US in general?

Rick - Not really. Unfortunately over here people like their music pretty and polished. Talent hasn't mattered in ages.

Q. - Do you try to keep the eighties metal spirit alive?

Rick - Along with all the other Old Wolves out there, we sure try. There will always be an underground that loves it, but that spirit needs an audience that can support acts and inspire them to keep chasing the dream. The real issue is a lack of venues. In our hometown, for instance, there are no real music venues. We have to travel hours at a time to play and that makes touring without financial support very difficult.

Q. - In your opinion, were the 90's hard times for heavy metal bands?

Rick - Of course, grunge made being able to play really uncool and when Bruce and Rob left to do solo projects the scene had no choice but to fade a little. Of course, Ozzy and Pantera among others kept it alive but bands got trendy and metal is about the true love of music. You can't worry about commercial success and put out your best work.  Metal will never die because the devotion of the true fans, but it won't ever see the day when it breaks into the mainstream again while maintaining it's integrity. That was a snapshot in time in the early 80's. Any successful "metal" album now just doesn't have that old school feel.

Q. - Do you have already any plans for a second album, or is just too soon?

Rick - We will definitely be making new music.

Q. - Hard n’ Heavy music does not pay bills to many people, is it difficult to make this kind of music nowadays?

Rick - See earlier answers haha. I will say that the one thing about metal is that if you can get a fan, they are a fan for life as long as you remain true to the music. If you make a name for yourself you can always play somewhere.

Q. - Do you sing in any other bands besides Old Wolf?

Rick - Yes, but none with any official recordings. Everything from Southern Alt-country to Hard blues rock and singer-songwriter stuff.

Q. - How do you want to end up this interview? Anything more you want to say?

Rick - I want to say to everyone who has ever pumped a fist at our show, bought a cd, liked a social media page or shared our music with a friend, thank you. I've played for much larger crowds with other genres but I'd take 20 metalheads over 200 people at a "normal" show. You guys give so much energy to a show and I feed off of it personally. I was retired until I felt that jolt that comes from a real Metal audience. True passion that demands integrity. That's what Old Wolf is all about. We claim to be Crusaders for the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. We understand that responsibility and take it very seriously, as the fans expect.

To all of you...

Stay true, Old Wolves.

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!