It’s been 3 years since Wage War’s last album ‘Manic’, and they’re finally back with new LP ‘STIGMA’, released on the 21st of June. A 10-track album toying with the constraints of metalcore, bringing in industrial metal moments, as well as surprising dance beats.
From the off, this album captures Wage War in a well-established and confident light. Although ‘Stigma’ is still massively experimental in its nature, there is an immediate sense of security and assurance in the way this album has been produced. Following the release of their well-received previous album ‘Manic’, and as their fifth studio album release, from my perspective, there were intensely high expectations resting on ‘STIGMA’. To this end, in my books, Wage War have more than adequately filled these expectations, whilst bringing in rousing new elements and leaning into new genres.
Opening up the album with ‘THE SHOW’S ABOUT TO START’, Wage War tease us with pounding bass and riving riffs. Immediately in this track we hear the inclusion of invigorating industrial synths: this, teamed with hardcore riffs, and new and improved vocal growls makes for an exciting introduction to the album.
Third track on the album ‘MAGNETIC’ positions Wage War in a metalcore mold, hitting a nerve and reminding me closely of I Prevail’s 2022 album ‘True Power’. Although on a personal level I find myself enjoying this track, I do feel as though it’s an outlier in ‘STIGMA’, and slightly strays from the sound that Wage War is seemingly desiring to achieve in this album.
Following ‘MAGNETIC’, though, is my favourite track from the album: ‘NAIL5’. Drawing us into the track with an interesting trap-metal style introduction, and CORPSE- esque distorted deep vocals, ‘NAIL5’ is an exciting, genre transgressing addition to this album. In choruses throughout the song, Wage War returns to these deep distorted vocals, giving this track a horror-type feel. This, I feel, effectively contrasts with the clean, melodic vocal work in the song’s verses. Wage War takes advantage of the intense nature of ‘NAIL5’, immaculately slotting in a major breakdown with strangled vocal call outs at the end of the track.
Another favourite from this album must be ‘TOMBSTONE’. Breaking through with deathcore styled screams at the start of this song, and then bouldering through with a tireless thumping beat begging to be headbanged to, this track brings innate power and authority. ‘TOMBSTONE’ arguably acts as the heaviest track on ‘STIGMA’, toying with hardcore instrumentals and deathcore vocals, furthermore, splitting up the track with a monumental breakdown- happening to be, my favourite breakdown of this release.
Ultimately, ‘STIGMA’ puts Wage War in excellent standing as they toy and prod at new genres. The variety, and slight inconsistency between songs in this album, makes for something experimental and largely exciting.
You can now listen to ‘STIGMA’ on all streaming platforms.
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