Wage War - 'IT CALLS ME BY NAME' - Review

BAND. Time really does fly by and just like that it has been more than ten years since the release of Blueprints (2015l, that kickass debut by that one promising future juggernaut Wage War. Well, the future is now, and those metalcore hopefuls are established arena heavyhitters, desperately trying to find the sweet golden spot of fame and integrity, that perfect balance between remaining uncompromising heroes to the fanbase whilst evolving as global media sweethearts. Next stop in that turbulent never-ending journey is IT CALLS ME BY NAME EP, a sweaty, right-in-your-face proof that Wage War have nothing to prove.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EjR1ovTpBc

REVIEW. IT CALLS ME BY NAME sees Wage War occupy mainstreme scenes once again, only this time without invitation and with noticeable and on-brand annoyance. Fittingly centered around humid marshland aesthetic and prevalent alligator symbolism, the EP reveals its hand from the very first single as a primal, no-bs modern metalcore tirade in all its 15 minutes of high testosterone glory. The gator brings it home to Wage War's native Florida, and back to their early roots, with an aggresively predatory behaviour dominating the majority of the EP.

SONGS. Wage War have been juggling with primal core fury, metal festival anthems and accessible radio earworms since day one, and this EP has it all. The opener 'SONG OF THE SWAMP' sets the tone, raises the heat and remains a focal point throughout. The rest of the tracks are a healthy mix of past and present, '4x4' and 'PURIFY' ressurecting their raw youthful energy, whilst 'KARMA' links the EP with the post-pandemic bouncy grooves of Manic (2021) and STIGMA (2024), only for 'BLINDFOLD' to flirt with modern media and offer a new gem for repeated airplays across international radiowaves.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-F8TrTtYs0

OVERALL. The generation of post-2010 scene bands keeps going as strong as ever, and you have to be thrilled to see Wage War still at the forefront. Finally building the confidence to act as a current trendsetter rather than blind follower, the Florida gents deserve praise for sticking to what they do best - high octane modern metalcore. I cannot see IT CALLS ME BY NAME attracting many new fans, but it should more than please the existing crowd, and better act as a definitive statement of future intent.

Wage War - 'IT CALLS ME BY NAME EP'

Country: United States

Release: 17 April

Label: Fearless Records