Step into the world of Wolver, where modern rock meets the mystique of a dark traveling show. Hailing from Karlstad, Sweden, the trio blend hard rock with grand harmonies and immersive storytelling, drawing sonic inspiration from the likes of Muse and Queen. Beyond the music lies a deeper concept: a fictional universe that unfolds with each release.
Their most recent release, the Act II: Scene I, Birth Of An Empire EP, sees them exploring a more relatable and accessible direction while still keeping that cinematic feel from our previous record, yet with a more personal turn.
Marcus, aka The Protagonist, from the band joins us to talk about the influence and inspiration that is Muse.
RESHAPING THINKING
There are bands that you listen to, and then there are bands that completely reshape the way you think about music. For me, Muse is firmly in that second category. Matt Bellamy’s ability to play guitar, piano, sing, and write complex yet relatable songs is totally unmatched. Their tracks have a timeless quality; no matter how many years go by, each listen still hits hard.
I first really started paying attention to Muse around 2009, when The Resistance came out. But the moment it truly clicked was when I discovered their album Origin of Symmetry. I must have had that album on repeat for six months straight. Even today, it still blows my mind every time I turn it on. That album wasn’t just music – it was a revelation.
Muse’s influence on me as a singer and musician has been profound. Listening to Matt Bellamy’s clear head-voice made me realize that my own vocal style could really work in rock. Hearing his combination of precision and passion gave me the confidence to experiment with my own singing in ways I hadn’t imagined before.
LEFT AWESTRUCK
There are so many tracks and moments that left me awestruck, but New Born stands out. From the cocky synth intro to the explosive guitar riff – arguably only rivaled by the intro of Plug In Baby from the same album – it’s pure brilliance. The whole Origin of Symmetry album feels raw yet refined, and the lyrics, even when hard to fully decipher, convey emotions in a way that feels entirely unique.
I could talk for hours about why I love this band, but I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who’s been completely swept up by their music.
Muse’s live performances have also been a huge inspiration. Their early shows, where they almost smashed all their gear and just raged on stage, were electrifying. I know it isn’t what people nowadays consider “cool,” but back then, it completely captivated me. Those performances taught me something crucial: when you’re playing music and get an instinct to move or do something on stage (nothing obscene or harmful, of course), it’s probably the right thing to do. It’s about trusting your instinct and giving everything to the moment, something we carry with us in every Wolver show.
I’ll never forget their 2012 Olympics performance. I wasn’t particularly invested in the event itself, but when my mom yelled, “Now Muse is getting on stage!” I got so excited that I smashed my acoustic guitar into its stand in my hurry to get to the TV. When I came back, my guitar had a huge hole in the bottom. Pure chaos, pure passion – classic Muse.
Muse has taught me that rock can be ambitious, cinematic, and unafraid of pushing boundaries. Their music has been a benchmark, an inspiration, and a source of unending excitement. And for all that, I can’t help but love them.
Thanks to Marcus for the insight into the trio who have developed into a stadium filling band.
Here’s Wolver’s Vegas Hustler. Great video!
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