It is perhaps unsurprising that a band called Wolverine from Sweden would have started out as a Death Metal outfit. Maybe just as unsurprising is the band’s transition toward Progressive Metal, as this is a path taken by many of their peers. Formed in 1995 by Stefan Zell and Marcus Losbjer, I will admit that Wolverine were not on my radar before their new album Anomalies arrived.
Wolverine – Anomalies
Release Date: 6 February 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
That might not be too surprising, given the ten-year gap since the previous album, Machina Viva, was released, although an EP in 2021, A Darkened Sun, did slip out. The lineup today retains Zell and Losbjer with the musicians who participated on Machina Viva – Jonas Jonsson (guitar), Thomas Jansson (bass) and Per Henriksson (keyboards) on board for this latest release.
The first single was A Perfect Alignment, which Stefan explains is the first in a trilogy of songs on the album. “The second part being Circuits and the third being the album’s opening track, A Sudden Demise,” Marcus explains. “The initial seed to this song originates maybe about 20 years back, written for a planned concept album that never saw the light of day. It contains several parts based around 5/4, which align together in the end.”
Concept albums, trilogies, 5/4 timing? Yes, it sounds very much like a Progressive album and indeed, the rich harmonies, lush melodies and precise musicianship all tick further Prog boxes.
The production is crisp, as one would expect. But the songs are not overly long, albeit four clock in at over six minutes in length. What this does is provide plenty of space and air for Wolverine to expand and develop their sound. There is not a three-minute hit single here.
Running through the album are themes of getting older and the clarification of direction. Stefan adds his comment. “I didn’t know where I was going. What should I do that will bear meaning in the future? Feeling lost. That is a theme in a way that runs through several songs. I’m happy to say that I’m in a better place today, eight years later.
“It’s repeating the pattern but also getting older, going past questions that you might not ask when you’re young. It’s the feeling of not reaching your potential, I think, that describes that situation as well.”
Whilst this may not be the most uplifting theme, the songs here are in many ways more enlightening. Stefan’s clean vocals shimmer and soar, the solidity of the other members providing a platform for him to really shine, which he does.
On Nightfall, for example, you can pin any number of contemporaries from across the globe, with comparisons to Steven Wilson, The Pineapple Thief, Marillion and even Vola coming to mind. And underneath it all, the melancholic lilt that has often been delivered by countrymen Katatonia is also evident.
As hinted, it is a dark-themed song despite the bubbling melody. “That one is, lyrically, from my really darkest period, where I had death anxiety every night when I went to bed,” Stefan admits. “It felt like someone stomping on my chest. Just wanting the night to be over. I was not in a good place in life. But I found the contrast between the music and the lyrics quite tempting in a way. You can almost dance to it once it gets going.”
It is the middle of an album that often defines it. Lose the listener’s interest here, and they give up. But This World And All Its Dazzling Lights is a genuine emotional burner that grabs the attention with its subtle and compelling composition.
Passionate and engrossing, the wall of sound is intense, yet at no stage overwhelming. It grabs the attention and declines to let go. Automaton follows, with Stefan’s duet with Per’s piano sending a chill down the spine. Hauntingly beautiful, it is the simplicity of this song that grabs your attention and leaves you trembling.
Anomalies is not an album you can file under easy listening. Evolution charted in their music, the melancholic Progressive Metal that they deliver deserves time. After several plays, I am still unpacking and processing much of what I have heard.
Full respect to the Swedes, for they have returned with an album that surely cements their position amongst the finest of this genre.
Wolverine release Anomalies on 6 February 2026 via Music Theories Recordings. Pre-orders are available via lnk.to/Wolverineband.
