Real metal for true bastards” is a slogan that should be emblazoned in fiery neon on billboards, scrawled triumphantly across book covers, and sewn proudly into back patches. It has a rebel edge to it. A double middle finger salute to those not part of the real metal club. Well, folks, this is Wolf’s motto. And since 1995, they’ve lived and died by it. “When we grew up in the ‘80s, we discovered classic bands like Saxon, Accept, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate,” says vocalist/guitarist Niklas ‘Viper’ Stalvind. “That’s heavy metal to me, We just want to play heavy metal and call it heavy metal. Meat and potatoes.”

Now, hold on there, Stlvind. “Meat and potatoes”? If only. Formed in the quaint town of rebro out of the sinew and bone of defunct death, black, and power metal bands, Wolf’s music is hardly an average dinner. Debut album, Wolf, crashed a crowded scene in 1999. When most bands were putting on a flower show, Stlvind and his band of rough riders were breaking bottles, getting hammered, and making genuine hard-hitting, ball-busting heavy metal, the likes of which have been merely feigned by their peers. Fast forward five more full-lengths—the last of which was 2011’s celebrated Legions of Bastards—and by no means are the Swedes slowing down, getting wimpy, or forsaking the true metal DNA of their forefathers.