Wolves At The Gate – Wasteland
Solid State Records
10,0/10,0
Brief:
It’s easy to get stuck in your head. Your thoughts become all-consuming, and you easily retreat into your own world. It happens to everyone, yet this internal place often never sees the light of day. However, Wolves At The Gate explore these spaces on their sixth full-length album, Wasteland [Solid State]. The quintet—Steve Cobucci [clean vocals, guitar], Ben Summers [bass], Nick Detty [lead vocals, keys], Abishai Collingsworth [drums], and Joey Alarcon [lead guitar]—pierce the surface and fearlessly plunge into the psyche. They soundtrack this journey with an unpredictable and undeniable hybrid of technically proficient metal, gut-punching hardcore, and arresting alternative melodies accented by entrancing electronic transmissions.
Wolves At The Gate have quietly and naturally evolved since their emergence out of the Midwest in 2008. Their vision unfolded across albums such as Captors [2012], VxV [2014], Types & Shadows [2016], Eclipse [2019], and Eulogies [2022]. Along the way, the group tallied tens of millions of streams fueled by the likes of “Counterfeit,” “Deadman,” “Lowborn,” “Peace That Starts The War,” and more. Not to mention, they’ve performed alongside everyone from The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and Red to Fit For A King, August Burns Red, and Born Of Osiris. In 2024, a core idea screamed out to Steve, shaping the creative direction of the band’s next evolution. It slowly, but surely seeped into the DNA of the music and his words…
The musicians carefully pieced together what would become Wasteland. Steve co-produced the 13-track body of work with Josh Gilbert of Spiritbox, while the guys recorded in New Jersey, San Diego, and Los Angeles. This time around, they added multiple dimensions to their signature sound, layering intriguing interludes and electronic overtures into the framework.
The first single “Parasite” harnesses this renewed energy. Synths squeal through a barrage of pummeling drums, chugging guitars, and pit-splitting breakdowns. The vocals echo this feeling of uncontainable turbulence, alternating between guttural growls and hypnotic hooks. The central chorus practically draws blood, “Listen to the devil speak, filling my veins with what I seek. And the venom tastes of your deceit, listen to the doublespeak.”
Through it all, Wolves At The Gate peel back the layers and explore the often-volatile internal interplay of thoughts and emotions. Ultimately, all of this inner work leads to a clearer sense of external understanding.
“I hope the songs inspire you to think about what goes on in your mind,” he leaves off. “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.”
[Edited Press Release]
Tracklist:
1 – INT[r]O
2 – [The Wasteland] PAIN
3 – PARASITE
4 – SYNTHETIC SUN
5 – LAW OF THE [Waste]LAND
6 – SMOKE [False Devils]
7 – withering
8 – DEATH CLOCK
9 – wasting
10 – MEMENTO MORI
11 – wanting
12 – UNREST
Main Focus Tracks:
3 – PARASITE
4 – SYNTHETIC SUN
5 – LAW OF THE [Waste]LAND
8 – DEATH CLOCK
Other Recommended Tracks:
2 – [The Wasteland] PAIN
6 – SMOKE [False Devils]
10 – MEMENTO MORI
12 – UNREST
Line-Up:
Steve Cobucci – rhythm guitar, clean vocals, lead guitar
Ben Summers – bass, backing vocals
Nick Detty – lead vocals, keyboards
Abishai Collingsworth – drums
Joey Alarcon – lead guitar
Comments:
Wolves at the Gate delivers a highly varied album with Wasteland, alternating between power and melody with impressive skill, which should appeal to a broad audience. Wasteland is the band’s most mature release to date!
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Selected Discography:
Captors (2012)
VxV (2014)
Types & Shadows (2016)
Eclipse (2019)
Eulogies (2022)
Lost In Translation (2023)
Wasteland (2025)
Photo Credit: band