Review: Bad Wolves- Disobey
June 13, 2018
If you heard Bad Wolves’ cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” and thought their debut record- Disobey would follow suit, be prepared to grab the earplugs and have your ass blows away- this record is so much more than that.
They start off with “Officer Down,” which is a shot to the head right out of the gate and is much, much heavier than you’re ready for but it’s a beautifully-crafted piece of metal, setting the stage for an album that takes you on a heavy metal journey.
With members of numerous prolific metal bands, “Learn to Live” keeps the assault going and, while the instrumentals are bludgeoning and Tommy Vext shows he can belt out the screams with the best of them, this song follows in the tracks of the lead-off track with a clean vocal chorus that makes the song appeal to both crowds.
“No Masters” is the first song we get that would fit on active rock radio while the previous two would have been a good fit on Liquid Metal, leading into “Zombie,” which is one of the most-downloaded tracks of the year and hit No. 1 worldwide and put the band on the map.
“Run For Your Life” has one of the most kickass opening riff courtesy of Doc Coyle, which is followed up by a blistering Vext scream before a completely addicting song hits us with some absolutely tornadic John Boecklin double drum-attack.
“Remember When” is a retrospective track that brings you in and shows a lyrical side of the band that will make you fall in love with them yet again while “Better the Devil” and “Jesus Slaves” have some of Coyle’s strongest guitar work yet.
“Hear Me Now” slows things down and, just like “Zombie” is one of the most hauntingly beautiful tracks of the year and gives Vext a chance to really shine, vocally. Let’s be honest here, the band’s ballads are some of their strongest work are where the band really comes to live.
“Truth or Dare,” “The Conversation,” “Shape Shifter” and “Toast to the Ghost” round the album out in just as powerful fashion as it opened with and solidify the band as one of the top rising bands in all of metal.
Not only can they hit you with some absolutely gorgeous music in their ballads but they can rip you to shreds with their heavy material. If you weren’t familiar with the band members before, you might be surprised. However, if you know anything about where Tommy Vext (ex-Snot, filled in for Five Finger Death Punch last year when Ivan Moody was in rehab), Doc Coyle (ex-God Forbid), Chris Cain (ex-Bury Your Dead), Kyle Konkiel (ex-In This Moment) and John Boecklin (ex-DevilDriver), you knew exactly what was coming and were more than ready for it.
Regardless, though, this album kicks complete ass and shows Bad Wolves are here to stay and are ready to take their spot among the metal elite.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards