Alpha Wolf - A Quiet Place to Die (2020)
Melbourne metalcore outfit Alpha Wolf dropped their second LP today, their first with vocalist Lochie Keogh. A thorough evolution of their sound, A Quiet Place to Die picks up where their previous release, the EP Fault, left off and goes bigger, harder and more bone shattering. With this release, Alpha Wolf arguably moves to the forefront of the nu-metalcore movement, combining elements of hardcore with nu-metal. The result is very down-tuned guitars chugging like crazy that occasionally make way for crushing breakdowns and on the fly harmonics. Keogh's vocals are raw and unflinching, as he barks out some dark themes and has come great pit calls. While there is mostly just non-stop chunky riffs, the band shows they can write ballads, in their own way, with tracks Bleed 4 You and Don't Ask.
For fans of Architects, Fit For a King, Stray From the Path and anyone that thought even the heaviest nu-metal bands weren't heavy enough.
Damn, that track 'Adukdama' goes hard and has some original sound work, these guys are going to stay on my radar. That skrill effect is absolutely massive!
edit: 'Ultra-Violet Violence' is an extreme heavy hitter as well.
Akudama was the lead single and it was an excellent choice. My hype for this release was in overdrive after they dropped that. I already put three tracks from this one on my playlist (Akudama, Creep and Rot in Pieces). Really bummed they can't tour to support this in the states.