The story of Modern Metal band Bad Wolves has been quite interesting. Initially come together in 2017, Guitarist John Boecklin (ex-DevilDriver) brought songs he had been working on to the new project where he teamed up with Vocalist Tommy Vext (ex-Divine Heresy, ex-Westfield Massacre), Lead Guitarist Doc Coyle (ex-God Forbid), Rhythm Guitarist Chris Cain (ex-Bury Your Dead), and Bassist Kyle Konkiel (ex-In This Moment).
A strong assembly of troops, adding to their powerhouse was management of Five Finger Death Punch’s Zoltan Bathory. Signed up to Eleven Seven (a company featuring big acts such as Papa Roach, plus others under Better Noise Music like Nothing More and Five Finger Death Punch), they plotted their attack with a few solid singles, but what would really earn a lot of attention with their cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie.” Released in late January of 2018, shortly after Dolores O’Riordan’s tragic passing, it was a massive hit for Bad Wolves, thus putting them on the map.
From here they continued along a positive trajectory, releasing their 2018 debut album Disobey to acclaim, followed by N.A.T.I.O.N. in 2019. Then, tensions between the band and Vext flared, resulting in a messy break-up in early 2021. A factor that had many fans polarized, by the spring of that year Bad Wolves had moved on, announcing Daniel “DL” Laskiewicz (former guitarist of The Acacia Strain) as their new lead singer, and put out Dear Monsters in late 2022 to mixed reviews. Not a bad record, perhaps it was a gestation period for some listeners who still were not sure what to think of Bad Wolves minus Vext. That said, the aftermath of their break-up with Vext has continued to cast a cloud over matters. Fortunately for Bad Wolves they are a resilient bunch who are pushing through it all, and now return in 2023 with Die About It via Better Noise Music.
Their second full-length album with Laskiewicz on vocals, it also marks their first without Chris Cain; who left the band in 2022. Rolling with the punches, the band has already released several very different singles; the early 2000’s Metal sounding “Bad Friend,” the ultra-modern sounding “Die About It,” and the most dynamic of the bunch, “Legends Never Die.” A sort of mixed bag, what remains for are nine more full-length songs plus an intro which throws you off a bit.
What you get is pretty standard fare Modern Metal for the majority of the playtime with some standout moments. The standouts would have included “Hungry For Life,” “Move On,” and “Turn It Down.” However, the boldest effort of this entire collection would have to be “NDA.” Different from everything else, the band dared to be different, showcasing plenty of texture and even some wonderful placed saxophone. In truth, “NDA” is perhaps a path the band might want to explore more… because it really separates them from the pack.
When it is all said and done Die About It is a solid album worth checking out. At times very standard Modern Metal, it is nice to see the band growing; again, in reference to tracks like “NDA.” A good step forward for a band who shows they are here to stay, Cryptic Rock gives Die About It 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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