The Florida based band are continuing to step out of their comfort zone from a basic metalcore sound, which I normally approve of. Stigma ventures forward with shades of industrial, nu metal, and bottomless low-tuning. As is a common problem with an album attempting so many directions, the pacing and flow can be chaotic. Bond’s growl works in moments but some of the industrial elements and song writing do not mesh well. This causes a standard metalcore ballad like “Magnetic” to stand out abruptly, especially when followed by something like “Nail5” that goes for a modern drop beat sound. It defies explanation. There are tracks that become refreshing in sound like “Blur”, but lyrically there is little to connect with. You can hear the effort and understand the attempts, but it’s hard to shake off the feeling of being directionless. 5/10
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“Wage War, the Florida-based metalcore titans, are set to release their highly anticipated fifth studio album, STIGMA, on June 21, 2024. The album promises to showcase the band’s evolution, blending their signature crushing heaviness with more experimental elements. STIGMA features ten tracks, including the lead singles “MAGNETIC” and “NAIL5,” which offer a taste of the band’s diverse sound. Vocalist Briton Bond and guitarist Cody Quistad continue to push the envelope, delivering powerful performances that range from thunderous growls to melodic clean vocals. Fans can expect a mix of mosh-worthy anthems and radio-friendly tracks, as Wage War continues to solidify their position as one of metalcore’s most exciting acts. With STIGMA, Wage War aims to build on the success of their previous albums and further expand their growing fanbase in the metal and rock scenes.” (Perplexity)
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Wage War Stigma Album Review
