Wage War “Manic”

Manic, the forth album by Floridian rockers Wage War, is exactly that. Encompassing the up and downs of their last 18 months this album is an exciting burst of energy fuel that swings from epic melody’s to guttural vocals. The breakdowns over electronic dance and industrial beats leaving you pumped for more. Each song on the album is literally manic.

The title track itself, starts with a groovy dance beat, smoky vocals then an intense pounding guitar break before slipping back into that dance groove. The screams of Manic perfectly illustrated by the bands schizophrenic musical rhythms throughout. It’s all extremely clever.

The hammer hit industrial drum grooves flow throughout the album on tracks such as High Horse and Godspeed which get you reaching to increase the volume dial to 11.

Breakdowns are littered throughout the album in equal measure with the contrasting vocals from Briton Bond and Cody Quistad standing side by side. The ability to shift between styles a credit to drummer Stephen Kluesener, bassist Chris Gaylord and shredding guitarist Seth Blake.

The ‘lighter’ side is discovered on Slo Burn and Never Said Goodbye which displays the softer side of the band with the latter an emotional tribute to a loved one passed. The euphoric ending to the final track If Tomorrow Never Comes touches the soul and the repeat button.

The meat and bones of the album though is in the intensity of tracks such as Teeth and Death Roll, music that throws all the previous elements into the melting pot and creates a potent tasting drug to get addicted to.

Wage War has spent the last turbulent 18 months creating this masterpiece and it works brilliantly. It’s caged and oppressed style bursting to escape it’s confines. Manic is the strongest contender yet for album of the year. It’s the soundtrack to the impending implosion of the world and it’s glorious. You could even say it’s manic.

Album Review By Iain McCallum