Original line-up included:
- Michael Olivieri (vocals, guitar)
- Geoff Gayer (guitar)
- Carey Howe (guitar)
- Paul Carman (bass)
- Dean Roberts (drums).
The band released an eponymous 1984 five-song EP, produced by Randy Burns. Germany's Steamhammer/SPV label released the EP in 1984, upgraded to a full-fledged album, in 1985, titled "Leatherwolf", while Heavy Metal America, who had the rights for Great Britain, issued it as Endangered Species", so named after one of the songs on the album.
In 1986, Matt Hurich left to join Stryper and was replaced by Paul Carman, formerly of Black Sheep. The band signed a new major label record deal with Island Records, and released the confusingly titled, Kevin Beamish produced "Leatherwolf" in 1987. For 1989's "Street Ready" album, recorded in the Bahamas, the band kept on Beamish as producer, but asked the German expatriate Michael Wagener for the mix
Leatherwolf has gone through multiple vocalists over the past decade or more. Original vocalist Michael Olivieri quit the band after the release of the ""Wide Open" (1999) live album and was replaced by vocalist Chris Adams who in turn recorded a demo with the band in 2002. Adams was later let go when Mike Olivieri rejoined and he also recorded a demo with the band in 2003. Mike Olivieri quit once again and Racer X vocalist Jeff Martin was brought in to record yet another demo in 2004. These are known as "Demo 2002", "Demo 2003" and "Demo 2004".
Martin also left and was replaced by Wade Black of Seven Witches fame. Black eventually sang on the final product which materialized as the album ""World Asylum". Ironically Black also left the band after the album's release and a small tour. Mike Olivieri has returned to complete the original line-up and is re-recording the vocals for the "World Asylum" album.
Original members Carey Howe and Michael Olivieri returned in 2007 and Leatherwolf re-issued World Asylum with Olivieri's vocals in place of Wade Black as New World Asylum, again mixed by Hansen. In the fall of 2007, Leatherwolf embarked on a short European tour, highlighted by a headline appearance at the 9th edition of Germany's Keep It True festival. Guitarist Geoff Gayer was let go at the end of the trip[10] and replaced by Greg Erba with whom the band lensed a video clip for "Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)", with Karpis Maksudian at the helm once again. It would be included on the Monsters of Metal Vol. 6 video compilation by Nuclear Blast.
By mid-2009, Leatherwolf were said to be writing for a new studio album and shared a bill with Anthrax, Saxon, Overkill, Anvil, and Metal Church at the third annual Rocklahoma festival on July 9, 2009. Michael Olivieri's solo album, Goodbye Rain, was released in December 2009.
In early December 2013, the band announced the release of their ""Unchained Live" album, the first to feature the new guitar duo of Rob Math and Greg Erba. In late May 2015, former members Carey Howe, Geoff Gayer and Wade Black announced that they were working on a new Leatherwolf studio album for a late fall release. Drummer Dean Roberts and vocalist/guitarist Michael Olivieri, original members of the band's current line-up, countered by issuing a statement laying claim to sole legal ownership of the name Leatherwolf. Howe and Gayer eventually settled on the name Haunt of Jackals and released their debut album, "The Chosen", in January 2017 which also included Patrick Guyton handling the bass tracks.
In early January 2017, it was announced that guitarist Joey Tafolla had joined Leatherwolf in place of Greg Erba. The band parted ways with Tafolla six months later due to scheduling conflicts, with 21-year old Luke Man stepping in and taking part in the 2017 UK tour, Leatherwolf's first British live dates in some 28 years. The band would play their first Southern California show with Man now a full band member on November 18 at the Slidebar in Fullerton, CA sharing a bill with Odin.
On February 11, 2019, Leatherwolf announced that they had parted ways with lead vocalist and original member Michael Olivieri for reasons unknown. On August 1, 2019, the band officially introduced Keith Adamiak as their new lead vocalist, and announced the return of guitarist Geoff Gayer and bassist Paul Carman, in place of Luke Man and Patrick Guyton, respectively.
On May 8, 2022, a line-up comprising Keith Adamiak, Rob Math, Luke Man, Dean Roberts, former Michael Schenker Group guitarist/keyboardist Wayne Findlay, and fill-in bassist Brice Snyder, a one-time band mate of Man in Railgun, appeared at the M3 Festival in Columbia, MD, unveiling the band's latest incarnation.
On July 14, 2022, the group released a lyric video for a new song, "Hit the Dirt", and also announced that their new album, ""Kill the Hunted", would be released later in the year. A second lyric video for "The Henchman", with a lead guitar special guest appearance by Whitesnake's Joel Hoekstra, went online on September 13, 2022 and November album release dates were announced for North and South America, Europe, and Japan. The new album, recorded with the aid of session bassist, Barry Sparks, was supported with a promotional video for the title track, "Kill The Hunted".
On July 18, 2023, the band announced an August 18 release date for the "Kill The Hunted" vinyl edition and premiered a performance video for the vinyl bonus track, "Thunder (MMXXII)", a remake of the 1989 Street Ready album cut, also made available as a digital single. The release was celebrated with an August 23 headline show at the Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood, CA.
The Calling
Leatherwolf Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And hope someday we can
Look through the eyes of those – of those who dared
I wish you were here
Hear me calling
Drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune
Shadows falling
Hear me calling out
Nowhere to run
In search of the fame for the fortune it hides
You cannot buy, you cry for the moon
You're never gonna live forever
It's do or die and I still need you
Hear me calling
Drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune
Shadows falling
Like the rain on the midnight sun
Hear me calling out
Nowhere to run
Do you hear the sound of a distant chant?
Do you hope that some day you can
Look through the eyes of those – of those who dared
I wish you were here
Hear me calling
Drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune
Shadows falling
Like the rain on the midnight sun
Hear me calling out
Nowhere to run
Hear me calling
Drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune
Shadows falling
Like the rain on the midnight sun
Hear me calling
I wish you were here
Shadows falling
Hear me calling
The lyrics to Leatherwolf's song "The Calling" can be interpreted in a few different ways, but the overall theme seems to be about the pursuit of fame and the toll it can take. The opening lines speak of a "distant chant" that represents the call of those who have dared to pursue their dreams, and the hope that one day we can see through their eyes. This can be interpreted as a nod to those who have come before and paved the way for others to follow, but also as a warning that the pursuit of fame and fortune can be elusive and even dangerous.
The chorus repeats the phrase "Hear me calling" over and over again, which can be interpreted as a cry for recognition or a plea for someone to understand the struggle of trying to make it in the music industry. The image of being "drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune" suggests being swept away by the allure of fame and unable to resist its pull. The shadows falling like rain on the midnight sun further emphasize the darkness that can come with the pursuit of fame.
The verse that follows speaks more directly to the theme of fame and fortune, with a warning that "you cannot buy" the kind of success that lasts. The line "You're never gonna live forever" is a reminder that even those who do achieve fame and fortune will eventually fade away. The closing repetition of the chorus, with the added line "I wish you were here," suggests a longing for connection and support in the midst of the struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
We hear the sound of a distant chant
We perceive a far-off chorus of voices.
And hope someday we can
And we long for the possibility of eventually understanding.
Look through the eyes of those - of those who dared
To see the world as the courageous few who came before us saw it.
I wish you were here
I yearn for your presence in this moment.
Hear me calling
Listen to my plea for help.
Drowned in the rhyme on the piper's tune
Overwhelmed by the melody of the musician's instrument.
Shadows falling
Darkness spreading around me.
Like the rain on the midnight sun
Similar to a storm upon the bright heat of day.
Hear me calling out
Hear me crying for assistance.
Nowhere to run
Nowhere to flee.
In search of the fame for the fortune it hides
Looking for renown to uncover the riches concealed within it.
You cannot buy, you cry for the moon
You cannot purchase what you desire, you yearn for the impossible.
You're never gonna live forever
You will not exist eternally.
It's do or die and I still need you
It is a matter of survival and I still require your aid.
Do you hear the sound of a distant chant?
Can you sense the far-away chorus of voices?
Do you hope that some day you can
Are you anticipating the possibility of understanding someday?
I wish you were here
I yearn for your presence in this moment.
Hear me calling
Listen to my plea for help.
I wish you were here
I yearn for your presence in this moment.
Shadows falling
Darkness spreading around me.
Hear me calling
Listen to my plea for help.
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@bonichols8511
One of the BEST UNDER rated heavy metal bands to ever come out of the 80's.......PERIOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@tonyrobertsguitar
Absolutely! This song is great and Street Ready is criminally unknown...
@uncleremus5046
The 3axe guitar attack! This band ripped!🤟
@sAdrenalinStyle
No arguments here brother 🍻
@RisvoldTheGreat
Lol is that why their playing for free at small clubs right
@dragonqueen6589
The progenitors of the triple axe attack. If you like Mike Olivieri’s voice you have to give the Soul sign album “Life in the dark’ a listen, cause he provides the vocals on that. Carey and him are still a helluva pair of axe-slayers.
@gkatsaros25
Dokken, Leatherwolf, Icon!!! <3
@Bobby-ff4hb
Holy crap dude awesome I love them all too
@sosneky
I remember helping make this video! Carey Lived next door, and Michael O around the corner. Being the "roadie" for the summer was one of the best times of my teenage life. Thanks LW for listing me right before "all our fans:" on the Thank Yous on the back of the album!
@christiancordaway2181
Hell yea! \m/