Bad Wolves sensational ear porn alert!
Bad Wolves release their eagerly awaited powerhouse album, N.A.T.I.O.N. on 25th October 2019 and what an album it is.
Insanely powerful vocals, heavy, dark bass, mighty riffs all over the place and a whole lot of double kick drumming – this has resulted in sensational ear porn on an otherwise boring Tuesday night and I’m on my second listen already. In case you haven’t guessed, I am totally in love with this album because in addition to all of the above, it exudes skill in every single note and the power explodes in every damn track, and there are 12 of them for your pleasure.
There is a great combination of melody and heavy power metal throughout the album and lyrics to make you think. I’m an absolute sucker for heavy bass and Kyle doesn’t disappoint.
Bad Wolves consists of vocalist Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy), drummer John Boecklin (ex-Devil Driver), guitarist Doc Coyle (Vagus Nerve, ex-God Forbid), guitarist Chris Cain (Bury Your Dead), and bassist Kyle Konkiel (ex-In This Moment). In case you don’t know, Bad Wolves powered into our ears in 2018 with their cover of The Cranberries, ‘Zombie’ a bittersweet hit for them as Ireland’s lovely Dolores O’Riordán died the day she was due to record her vocals for the song.
If you want more proof of how cool these guys are, they donated quarter million dollars from the proceeds to Dolores’ family.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XaS93WMRQQ&w=560&h=315]Back to the album. The theme throughout is inspirational and the message in each song is to support people through sharing personal experiences, so you really should listen to the words. Four tracks have been released so far – I’ll Be There; Sober; Killing me Slowly and the Crying Game (released 11th October).
I’ll Be There: This is powerful and the heavy, thumping bass lends itself perfectly to Vext telling you not to be scared and not to give up and in case you didn’t get the message, he sings it and he screams it. Then we get into No Messiah with a funky intro then Vext shows off his vocal range here as this one has it all – melody, scringing and pure passion, with an unexpected tempo change mid-way through.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ678cSUd_w&w=560&h=315]Learn to Walk Again and Killing me Slowly are quite melodic and the lyrics will reach into your soul, with heavy riffs to tell you about loves lost and survival. Better off This Way, is almost a ballad but not quite. This slow tempo song is evidence of why writing about what you know is how to achieve success in the music industry. The riffs are sublime and I just sat back with my eyes closed listening to it.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oGqxXsItN8&w=560&h=315]The blood curdling screaming introduction to Foe or Friend is a not so subtle hint of what’s in store for you on this song. It’s dark, it’s angry and completely different to the previous tracks, with insane drumming for good measure.
Sober, released last September has a beautiful introduction with a warm vocal and acoustic guitar. It’s very personal for singer Tommy Vext and his message will resonate with many. Give this track the attention it rightfully deserves.
Back in the Days: there is a cool funky guitar intro here but I can’t help but wonder what’s coming next. I loved the hard hitting drums throughout and I really want to hear this one live.
The Consumerist: this is full on angry, lead by some hard, heavy bass, double kick drums, a cool breakdown and chorus. Consumerists watch out…Bad Wolves are coming for you.
Heaven So Heartless: Change tempo again and in total contrast to The Consumerist, every song giving insight and understanding on what motivates these guys.
Crying Game, released today, hits you in the chest with the powerful drums, giving the power to this almost reflective track. Again, very personal for Vext as it’s about the impact of addictions on relationships and LA Song – what a way to end an album. The drums are pounding, the bass is thumping, the guitars are down and dirty and Vext is making sure you know he will be in your head for a very long time.
If you want to find out why I love this album, you will just have to listen to it and you will appreciate my intelligence. I mean, how could I be wrong?
N.A.T.I.O.N. TRACKLIST:
1. I’ll Be There
2. No Messiah
3. Learn To Walk Again
4. Killing Me Slowly
5. Better Off This Way
6. Foe Or Friend
7. Sober
8. Back In The Days
9. The Consumerist
10. Heaven So Heartless
11. Crying Game
12. LA Song
BAD WOLVES 2020 TOUR DATES:
with Five Finger Death PunchandMegadeth
Full routing available on the websiteHERE.
For more information visit:
BAD WOLVES | Website| Facebook| Instagram| Twitter| YouTube
Bad Wolves are currently on tour with Five Finger Death Punch in the US and then to Europe, along with Megadeath.
Review by Fiona D for metalplanetmusic
