With a sound that merges post-hardcore aggression and lyrics that overflow with raw emotion, Wolves At The Gate have been creating a name for themselves in the heavy music scene since 2008. They are most known for being a band that has never been afraid to showcase their unfiltered passion and heart through each song. The Ohio-based band returns with their sixth full-length album, "Wasteland," filled with thirteen truly one-of-a-kind artistic and adrenaline-fueled songs, inviting listeners into an immersive experience in its entirety.
The band features the talents of Steve Cobucci (clean vocals, guitar), Ben Summers (bass), Nick Detty (lead vocals, keys), Abishai Collingsworth (drums), and Joey Alarcon (lead guitar). Each song uniquely resembles a theme that takes listeners on an unpredictable journey that only gets better and more real until you reach the end of the album.
"I'm constantly in my head," Steve reflects on himself. "Over the years, I've realized we each have a world in our minds that we don't necessarily share with everybody else. I thought, 'How could I make a story about these worlds in our heads?' I captured a lot of it from myself, put everything into the music, and started to connect the pieces. I'm definitely taking these internal dialogues and placing them in the songs." Their new album may also just become your new soundtrack for finding inner peace within yourself.
Starting off strong, the album begins with an "INT[r]O" track that sets the tone for what you can expect with each track. The instrumentation starts off mellow, then slowly increases to an upbeat rhythm that drives straight into the next song, "[The Wasteland] Pain". Immediately, we get that intense, powerful sound that feeds off emotion, just like the core message of the song. With it also being the title track, the lyrics emphasized living in a "frame of mind that I don't want to live in, but a world I feel myself drawn back into over and over again," as Steve explains the meaning behind the name.
Next, the song "Parasite" kicks into gear, which was also the first single off the album. A song that not only carries an impactful vocal performance but also grabs you in with ground-shaking instrumentals right from the beginning. With intense growls that feed into the raw message in the lyrics, this track explores the surge of frustration and vicious cycles when it comes to conquering an internal battle within yourself.
The fourth track, "Synthetic Sun," breaks through with edgy guitar riffs from the start and lyrics that create a catchy but real story throughout. Lyrics like, "Cuz we are the children born in the dead of night. Living in the dark we all just kill the light." The overall production of the song really crafted such an original piece that leaves us with a lasting impact on the music and stirring lyrics. The song also finished off strong with epic growls and screams, which then leads us into "wandering," another quick instrumental track that gives you a mini break before heading into tracks "Law Of The [Waste]Land" and "SMOKE [False Devils]." Both tracks continue giving us an edgy fire of endless gripping screams and tense riffs throughout.
The entire album is not only a place filled with multiple head-banging tunes for our ears, but also a home for meaningful messages of real-life emotions, struggles, and hardships. "These songs give a voice to those internal thoughts and struggles. Maybe the album shakes listeners into thought about deeper truths, belief, and ultimately, finding hope." A statement from the heart of what inspired "Wasteland" and how the guys hope these songs can inspire listeners after hearing each track. The last tracks, "DEATH CLOCK," "MEMENTO MORI," and "UNREST," unravel a strong finish to the band's fierce song list, which will leave a notable lasting impression on the band's creative work for their hard work on this project.
Wolves At The Gate consistently demonstrate how heavy music can carry both an emotional, thunderous sound and spiritual meanings all in one. Their latest release isn't just another showcase of the band's artistic evolution but also a bold expression of identity that dives deep into a compelling, crushing sound and heartfelt lyricism. An album that's worth every listen from start to finish.
