Project Description
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ALPHA WOLF
“A Quiet Place To Die”
(Album Review)
September 2020
Reviewer – Jacob Morris
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Aussie metalcore hard hitters, Alpha Wolf, return with their sophomore record “a quiet place to die,” though don’t let the title mislead. This record is a supernova, exploding with intense energy and sure to fulfill fans of the genre.
Alpha Wolf formed in 2013 and emerged in the metal scene with their deathcore EP “Origin.” Their debut album “Mono” found the band creatively combining the metalcore genre with elements of nu metal. Last year’s “Fault” EP proved that even after a few member changes, the band were hungrier than ever to leave an impact. In current challenging times with cancelled gigs and numerous album delays, Alpha Wolf devour these frustrations and show they are a force to be reckoned with.
The uncertainty of our current times has filled people with anger, worry and grief. Alpha Wolf provide a therapy session for their fans by creating their angriest, most raw sounding record yet. The band ditch some of the groovier nu metal influences of their debut to successfully capture the emotions of this year into sound. “a quiet place to die” is a hard hitting metalcore piece that grabs onto listeners immediately with the opening album title track. A slow and grim introduction serves as a warning of the carnage that is soon to inevitably take place, like an ocean that retracts its tide before the formation of a wave. Except this wave is a tsunami, swallowing the listener whole as the track swings into full motion with an explosive outburst. The composition of the track can be recognised as an extended breakdown with melodic riffs and it’s not hard to imagine the track becoming an effective show opener. The forbidding introduction would build anticipation as the audience eagerly await the band’s appearance on the stage.
“Creep” is a freight train, slamming the listener at full force without any warning. Fans will already be familiar with this track as it has been previously released as a single, though that won’t diminish the effectiveness of its immediate fast tempo. Piercing guitar riffs with thunderous drums create an alarming urgency as roaring vocals join the mix. The anger can be felt from the onset as frontman Lochie Keogh depicts a scene of betrayal, screaming “kicked in the teeth, dragged through the dirt. Thrown to the dogs while everyone watched.” It’s an intense affair that doesn’t back down during its entire duration, culminating with a crushing breakdown. “Golden Fate; Isolate,” proves that Alpha Wolf aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. The track is seemingly connected to “Golden Fate; Water Break,” one of the songs from their debut. Confronting lyrics continue with the consistent anger on full display, except this time the band successfully showcase a representation of anger mixed with confusion and grief. Listeners are punched hard in the stomach as Lochie screams, “I try to make sense of it. Put myself in your shoes. Forever chasing a different outcome.” The subject matter is challenging and highlights the extremely serious issue of mental health and suicidal thoughts.
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Lead single “Akudama” has successfully shown fans that Alpha Wolf weren’t kidding around when they claimed they were returning with a record completely raw and of the highest level of intensity. The track continues the record’s theme of expressing anger and the lyrical subject matter blends extremely well with the brutality and rawness of the sound. It creates an urgency that never dissipates. “Akudama” is a threatening dive into bottled up frustrations. The track is short and straight to the point and this immediate tension is what makes it so effective. The climactic breakdown demonstrates the band’s consistent aggression which will have fans dying for shows to return.
“Acid Romances” finds the band slowing the tempo down but not sacrificing heaviness to do so. Chugging guitar and pounding drums provide a high level of ferocity but the track fails to stand out as much as preceding ones. Near the end it falls into signature metalcore territory as a long slow breakdown occupies an extended amount of the track’s duration. However, fortunately some additional scratch effects give “Acid Romances” the unique element it needed. “Rot In Pieces” returns the fast tempo and in doing so the band confirm how vigorous and strong they sound when the adrenaline is pumping at lightspeed. The inclusion of lower growls compliments the track, giving it a further brutality.
“bleed 4 you” is another previously released single and stands as a triumph and highlight of the record. Its an emotionally driven song that finds a satisfying balance between raw intensity and melody. The Beautiful Monument’s Lizi Blanco is featured as guest vocalist and her voice alongside Lochie’s yells in the chorus make for a nice surprise that elevates the track as a compelling accomplishment. The melodic display of sheer emotion is reminiscent of Bring Me the Horizon’s “Don’t Go,” which combined frontman Oli’s yells with guest vocalist Lights’ singing in a similar fashion.
“Ultra-Violet Violence” and “The Mind Bends To A Will Of Its Own” resume the heaviness of the record’s overall sound, and they’re able to stand out more sufficiently because of the different style that “bleed 4 you” provided. “Ultra-Violet Violence” is a little slower in nature but its bouncy riff and bass lead into a slow breakdown that fans will be dying to mosh to once gigs return. The song takes the listener by surprise as it unexpectedly speeds up for its final moments. “The Mind Bends To A Will Of Its Own” is another exploration of mental health challenges and the lyrical subject matter meshes well with the high intensity as Lochie reaches for low growls and expresses, “all I want is an exit. All I am is a nervous wreck.”
Consistent crashing drums in “Restricted (R18+)” certifies its fierceness as a thunderous breakdown builds the momentum even further. The tempo begins to gradually slow and listeners will prepare themselves for another murderous breakdown, ending the track with immense brutality. Album closer “don’t ask…” is introduced as a slower, yet more melodic piece. Swerving listeners’ expectations, the track suddenly hits the accelerator in its verses and maintains passionate, melodic catchiness in its choruses. The lyrics are some of the deepest and most compelling to be found on “a quiet place to die.” Alpha Wolf put their all in this beautifully crafted album closer, as they blend raw tension with emotionally evocative melody. The final moments of the track will leave listeners in awe as the instruments wind down, only to return in a perfect combination of melodic passion and aggression as Lochie screams “one day I will be okay. And I’ll say it again.” With “don’t ask…” Alpha Wolf pour their heart and soul into an ultimate culmination, providing a remarkably mesmerising experience.
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Follow ALPHA WOLF
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
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ALPHA WOLF
tear down the walls
with heartfelt new single
‘bleed 4 you’
Sophomore album
‘a quiet place to die’
Out September 25th
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