Wage War

Last updated
Wage War
Wage War Worcester (cropped).jpg
Wage War performing in 2022
Background information
Also known as
  • Empires
  • War Within
Origin Ocala, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Discography Wage War discography
Years active2010–present
Labels Fearless
Members
  • Briton Bond
  • Seth Blake
  • Cody Quistad
  • Chris Gaylord
  • Stephen Kluesener
Past members
  • Jordan Pierce
  • David Rau
Website wagewarband.com

Wage War is an American metalcore band formed in Ocala, Florida in 2010 under the name Empires. The band consists of lead vocalist Briton Bond, lead guitarist Seth Blake, rhythm guitarist and clean vocalist Cody Quistad, bassist Chris Gaylord, and drummer Stephen Kluesener.

Contents

The band has released four studio albums and one EP. The band self-released one EP, The Fall of Kings in 2011. In 2015, the band signed to Fearless Records. The band released their first studio album, Blueprints , on November 27, 2015. Their second studio album Deadweight was released on August 4, 2017. Their third studio album, Pressure , was released on August 30, 2019. Their fourth studio album, Manic , was released on October 1, 2021.

History

Formation, line-up change and Blueprints (2010–2016)

Wage War performing at Rock im Park in 2016 2016 RiP Wage War - by 2eight - DSC8978.jpg
Wage War performing at Rock im Park in 2016

Wage War started in 2010 under the name "Empires" in Ocala, Florida. [1] The band originally consisted of Briton Bond (unclean vocals), Cody Quistad (rhythm guitar/clean vocals), Seth Blake (lead guitar), Jordan Pierce (bass) and David Rau (drums). Rau quit the band to focus on teaching and is now residing as a teacher at West Port High School in the band's hometown. The band changed their name to Wage War and hired on Chris Gaylord to replace Pierce and Stephen J. Kluesener to replace Rau. As of October 2019, Rau occasionally fills in for Kluesener. In 2015, the band signed to Fearless Records, with a single produced by Jeremy McKinnon and Andrew Wade. [2] [3] [4] [5] After being signed to Fearless, the band released their debut album, Blueprints . [6]

Deadweight (2017–2018)

Their second album Deadweight was released with Fearless Records on August 4, 2017. [7] Wage War has done a number of tours, including playing on the entirety of the Vans Warped Tour in 2016, [8] and A Day to Remember's Self Help Festival in 2017. [9] The band has also opened for artists such as August Burns Red, Chelsea Grin, I Prevail, The Amity Affliction, Northlane, Every Time I Die, For Today, Of Mice & Men and Disturbed. The band played with Parkway Drive on their mini-June 2017 tour. [10] The band embarked on their first national headliner in the July 2017, in support of their new album Deadweight. Gideon and Varials joined up as support. [11] The second leg of the tour featured Gideon and Varials once again. Oceans Ate Alaska and Loathe joined up as support. [12] Wage War played on the final touring portion of the 2018 Vans Warped Tour. [13]

Pressure (2019–2020)

On January 9, 2019, the band released a single titled "Low" through their label Fearless Records. [14] Six months later, on July 9, they released a second single, "Who I Am". [15] Then later that month, on July 30, the band released two singles, "Prison" and "Me Against Myself". [16] Upon doing this, the band unveiled their plans for a third studio album, revealing the album's title, tracklist, and release date. Pressure , their third album, was released on August 30, 2019. [17]

On March 18, Wage War lost all of their Myspace content from 2016 and earlier in "a server migration gone wrong" from the Empires era (with the exception of The Fall of Kings EP). It was widely reported that over 50 million songs and 12 years worth of content was permanently lost, and there was no backup. [18] Wage War played on the 25th Anniversary Vans Warped Tour in Atlantic City, New Jersey and in Mountain View, California. The band went on tour throughout the Fall of 2019, in support of their latest album, Pressure. Like Moths to Flames, Polaris and Dayseeker joined up as support for the tour. [19] On November 13, 2020, the band dropped a new song called "Surrounded", a previously unreleased track from Blueprints, which harks back to their heavier beginnings. [20]

Manic (2020–2023)

On April 8, 2020, during the period of self-isolation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Wage War announced on Twitter that they were working on new material for the upcoming record. Along with the announcement, the band also teased a new song and wrote: "Making the most of quarantine. #ww4" [21] [22]

On August 6, 2021, the band released a song called "High Horse". [23] On August 25, the band officially released the second single "Circle the Drain" from their fourth studio album, Manic , which was released on October 1, 2021. At the same time, the band revealed the album cover and the tracklist. [24] [25] To promote the album, the band also announced that they will support I Prevail's rescheduled European tour along with Dream State in March 2022. [26] [27] [28] On September 14, the band released the third single "Teeth". [29] [30] On November 18, 2022, the band announced an acoustic album called The Stripped Sessions, which was released on December 2, 2022. [31] [32]

Stigma (2024–present)

On March 21, 2024, Wage War unveiled the first single titled "Magnetic" and its corresponding music video. [33] On April 12, the band premiered the second single "Nail5" and an accompanying music video. At the same time, they announced that their upcoming fifth studio album, Stigma, is set for release on June 21, 2024, while also revealing the album cover and the track list. [34] [35]

Musical style

Wage War's musical style has been described as metalcore, [1] [36] [37] melodic metalcore, [1] [38] [39] hard rock, [40] [41] [42] post-hardcore, [43] [44] and melodic hardcore. [1] The band also utilizes elements of djent, [45] nu metal, [46] electronic, [37] pop, [46] and hip hop. [46]

Band members

Current

Former

Timeline

Wage War

Discography

Studio albums

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Amity Affliction</span> Australian post-hardcore band

The Amity Affliction is an Australian post-hardcore band from Gympie, Queensland, formed in 2003. The band's current line-up consists of Ahren Stringer, Joel Birch, Dan Brown (guitar) and Joe Longobardi (drums). The Amity Affliction has released eight studio albums including Severed Ties (2008), Youngbloods (2010), Chasing Ghosts (2012), Let the Ocean Take Me (2014), This Could Be Heartbreak (2016), Misery (2018) and Everyone Loves You... Once You Leave Them (2020). They are known for their highly personal songs, often dealing with depression, anxiety, death, substance abuse, and suicide, many lyrics stemming from vocalist Joel Birch's past struggles. The Amity Affliction released their latest album, Not Without My Ghosts, on 12 May 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis May Fire</span> American metalcore band

Memphis May Fire is an American metalcore band formed in Denton, Texas and currently signed to Rise Records. The band currently consists of lead guitarist Kellen McGregor, lead vocalist Matty Mullins, bassist Cory Elder, and drummer Jake Garland. Formed in 2006, they have released six studio albums and two EPs to date. Their fourth album, Unconditional, debuted at No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 and atop the Alternative Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asking Alexandria</span> English rock band

Asking Alexandria are an English rock band formed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and now based in York, North Yorkshire, consisting of guitarist Cameron Liddell, drummer James Cassells, vocalist Danny Worsnop, and bassist Sam Bettley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Word Alive</span> American metalcore band

The Word Alive is an American metalcore band formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2008. The band was signed to Fearless Records since their formation. In 2022, they changed their label and signed to Thriller Records. The band currently consists of vocalist Tyler Smith, guitarists Zack Hansen and Jose DelRio, and drummer Daniel Nelson. The group has had several line-up changes throughout their career, with Hansen as the only remaining founding member. Their second EP, Empire reached No. 15 on the Top Heatseekers, meeting a great amount of positive acclaim upon its release in 2009. The following year, the group recorded and released their debut studio album, Deceiver on August 31, 2010, which reached No. 97 on the Billboard 200 and 15 on Independent Albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motionless in White</span> American metalcore band

Motionless in White is an American metalcore band from Scranton, Pennsylvania. Formed in 2004, the band consists of lead vocalist Chris "Motionless" Cerulli, guitarists Ryan Sitkowski and Ricky "Horror" Olson, drummer Vinny Mauro and bassist Justin Morrow. Cerulli is the only member of the original line-up that remains in the band. The group has stated that their band name derived from the Eighteen Visions song "Motionless and White".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ice Nine Kills</span> American metalcore band

Ice Nine Kills is an American heavy metal band from Boston, Massachusetts, who are signed to Fearless Records. Best known for its horror-inspired lyrics, Ice Nine Kills formed in its earliest incarnation in 2000 by high school friends Spencer Charnas and Jeremy Schwartz. Charnas is currently the only remaining founding member.

Like Moths to Flames is an American metalcore band from Columbus, Ohio, formed in 2010 by former members of various bands, including Emarosa, Agraceful, the Crimson Armada, TerraFirma, and My Ticket Home. The band has released four studio albums and three EPs through Rise Records. The band's current line-up consists of lead vocalist Chris Roetter, guitarists Zach Pishney and Cody Cavanaugh, and drummer Roman Garcia. Roetter is the only member of the original line-up that remains in the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">While She Sleeps</span> British metalcore band

While She Sleeps are a British metalcore band from Sheffield. Formed in 2006, the group consists of vocalist Lawrence Taylor, guitarists Sean Long and Mat Welsh, bassist Aaran McKenzie and drummer Adam Savage. They are currently signed to their own label Sleeps Brothers in the UK and in collaboration with Spinefarm Records in the US and UNFD in Australia. They have released three EPs, And This Is Just the Start, Split and The North Stands for Nothing, and six studio albums, This Is the Six, Brainwashed, You Are We, So What?, Sleeps Society and Self Hell. They received the Best British Newcomer award at the Kerrang! Awards 2012. The group has maintained the same line-up since its formation, with vocalist Taylor being the only bandmate who is not an original member. Despite this, he has still appeared on every release apart from the group's first two EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Plot in You</span> American rock band

The Plot in You is an American rock band formed in Hancock County, Ohio in 2010. Originally a side project of former Before Their Eyes member Landon Tewers, the group is composed of Tewers, guitarist Josh Childress, bassist Ethan Yoder and drummer Michael Cooper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown the Empire</span> American metalcore band

Crown the Empire is an American metalcore band from Dallas, Texas formed in 2010. The band comprises vocalist Andrew "Andy Leo" Rockhold, guitarist Brandon Hoover, bassist Hayden Tree, and drummer Jeeves Avalos. They are currently signed to Rise Records and have released five studio albums. Their most recent studio album, Dogma, was released on April 28, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erra (band)</span> American progressive metalcore band

Erra is an American progressive metalcore band from Birmingham, Alabama, formed in 2009. The band was named after the homonymous Akkadian god of war and plague. The band has released six studio albums and three EPs to date. Their latest album, titled Cure, was released on April 5, 2024. They have toured with bands such as As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, TesseracT, Born of Osiris, Ice Nine Kills, Glass Cloud, Within the Ruins, Bad Omens, I See Stars, and Texas in July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silent Planet</span> American metalcore band

Silent Planet is an American metalcore band formed in Azusa, California, in 2009. Their name is derived from C. S. Lewis' science fiction novel Out of the Silent Planet. The group consists of vocalist Garrett Russell, guitarist Mitchell Stark, drummer Alex Camarena and bassist Nick Pocock. They are currently signed to Solid State Records and have released five studio albums. Their latest studio album, Superbloom, was released on November 3, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oceans Ate Alaska</span> British metalcore band

Oceans Ate Alaska are a British metalcore band hailing from Birmingham formed in 2010. The band was signed to Fearless Records and are known for "uniting boundaries between multiple genres in modern metal" and for "fusing unpredictable polyrhythms and sporadic partnering of melodic and dissonant passages". Original vocalist, James Harrison came up with the band name; naming it after the 1958 Lituya Bay earthquake and megatsunami that swallowed one of Alaska’s gulfs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doll Skin</span> American rock band

Doll Skin was an American rock band from Phoenix, Arizona, United States. The original band members met at School of Rock Scottsdale. Their sound blended a blend of punk, metal, alternative, and pop. Doll Skin has been compared to bands ranging from The Donnas to The Go-Go's to The Runaways. They have received press coverage in Alternative Press, Phoenix New TimesBillboard, Rock Sound, Kerrang and Bravewords.

<i>Deadweight</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Wage War

Deadweight is the second studio album by American metalcore band Wage War. It was released on August 4, 2017, through Fearless Records. It is also the first album to have lead vocalist Briton Bond do clean vocals alongside Cody Quistad on the songs "Never Enough" and "Gravity".

Varials is an American metalcore band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in October 2013. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Mitchell Rogers, guitarist James Hohenwarter, bassist Mike Foley and drummer Sean Rauchut.

<i>Pressure</i> (Wage War album) 2019 studio album by Wage War

Pressure is the third studio album by American metalcore band Wage War. It was released on August 30, 2019, through Fearless Records. The album was produced by Drew Fulk, Andrew Wade and Jeremy McKinnon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wage War discography</span> Wage War discography

American metalcore band Wage War has released four studio albums, one EP, twenty singles, and eighteen music videos. The band self-released one EP, The Fall of Kings (2011). In 2015, the band signed to Fearless Records. The band released their first studio album, Blueprints, later in 2015 via Fearless. Their second studio album Deadweight was released under the same label in 2017. Their third studio album, Pressure, was released in 2019. Their fourth studio album, Manic, was released in 2021.

<i>Manic</i> (Wage War album) 2021 studio album by Wage War

Manic is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Wage War. The album was released on October 1, 2021, through Fearless Records. It was produced by Drew Fulk, Andrew Wade, Jeremy McKinnon and Cody Quistad.

<i>In Darkness</i> (Varials album) 2019 studio album by Varials

In Darkness is the second studio album by Varials. It was released on October 11, 2019, through Fearless Records. It is their last release to feature Travis Tabron as vocalist, since he announced his departure from the band later in 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Yeung, Neil Z. "Biography : Wage War". AllMusic . Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  2. ↑ Chatterjee, Kika (June 15, 2015). "Wage War announce Fearless Records signing with Jeremy McKinnon-produced single". Alternative Press . Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Wage War Signs to Fearless Records". New Noise Magazine . June 15, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  4. ↑ Admin (October 23, 2015). "Wage War Shared Intriguing New Single "Youngblood" From Debut Album". Highlight Magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  5. ↑ Shultz, Thom (June 16, 2015). "Wage War Signs to Fearless Records". Mind Equals Blown. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  6. ↑ Bomber (February 22, 2016). "Wage War premiere 'Youngblood' video clip". Bombshell Zine. Retrieved May 2, 2017.
  7. ↑ Redrup, Zach (August 4, 2017). "Album: Wage War – Deadweight". Dead Press!. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Full Vans Warped Tour 2016 Line-Up Revealed". Kerrang! . March 23, 2016. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  9. ↑ DiVita, Joe (July 22, 2017). "A Day to Remember's Three 2017 Self Help Festivals Announce Initial Lineups". Loudwire . Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  10. ↑ Ralph, Caitlyn (April 12, 2017). "Parkway Drive announce tour with the Word Alive and Wage War". Alternative Press . Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Wage War Announce U.S. Headlining Tour — The Prelude Press". Thepreludepress.com. May 30, 2017. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Wage War Announce Deadweight Tour Part Two With Oceans Ate Alaska, Gideon, Varials And More". Bring the Noise. September 14, 2017. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Watch a little kid get his Mosh on during Wage War's set at Vans Warped Tour". The New Fury. July 18, 2018. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Hear Wage War Channel Meshuggah on Crushing, Melodic New Song "Low"". Revolver Magazine. January 9, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Wage War drop new single/video "Who I Am" & announce new album". The Rock Pit. July 10, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Wage War have released two brand new singles, check out 'Prison' and 'Me Against Myself'". Upset Magazine. August 1, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Wage War Announce New Album, Premiere Punishing Lead Single "Who I Am," Share Fall Headlining Tour Dates". BringTheNoise. February 27, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  18. ↑ Brodkin, Jon (March 18, 2019). "Myspace apparently lost 12 years' worth of music, and almost no one noticed". Ars Technica. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Wage War Announce 'Pressure' Album, New Song + Headlining Tour". Loudwire.com. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  20. ↑ citylightstam (November 13, 2020). "Wage War Unleash Surprisingly Hard New Single 'Surrounded'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  21. ↑ Redrup, Zach (April 10, 2021). "News: Wage War begin work on fourth album; tease new song!". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on August 26, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  22. ↑ "Wage War Working On Fourth Album, Tease New Song". The PRP. April 8, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  23. ↑ Aarons, Ricky (August 5, 2021). "Surprise! Wage War Return With Heavy & Groovy Tune 'High Horse'". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Wage War To Release New Album "Manic" In October, Debut "Circle The Drain"". The PRP. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  25. ↑ Carter, Emily (August 25, 2021). "Wage War announce fourth album Manic, drop new single Circle The Drain". Kerrang! . Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  26. ↑ "I Prevail Reschedule European/UK Tour To 2022, Wage War & Dream State To Open". The PRP. May 7, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  27. ↑ Rogers, Jack (May 7, 2021). "I Prevail's Upcoming UK/EU Tour Has Been Rescheduled To 2022". Rock Sound . Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  28. ↑ Redrup, Zach (May 8, 2021). "News: I Prevail postpone UK tour to March 2022!". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  29. ↑ Rogers, Jack (September 14, 2021). "Listen: Wage War's Stunningly Crushing New Track 'Teeth'". Rock Sound . Archived from the original on December 2, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  30. ↑ Aarons, Ricky (September 14, 2021). "Wage War Continue Momentum With Studio Version of 'Teeth'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  31. ↑ Rogers, Jack (November 18, 2022). "Wage War Announce Special Album 'The Stripped Sessions'". Rock Sound . Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Wage War have announced a new stripped-back album". Upset Magazine. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  33. ↑ "Wage War Premiere "Magnetic" Video". ThePRP. March 21, 2024. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Hear Wage War's Heavy, Industrialized New Song "Nail5"". Revolver . April 12, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  35. ↑ "Wage War Debut New Track "Nail5", Reveal New Album "Stigma"". The PRP. April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  36. ↑ Travers, Paul (January 9, 2019). "Wage War don't hold back on crushing new song "Low"". Alternative Press . Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  37. 1 2 Travers, Paul (September 30, 2021). "Album review: Wage War – Manic". Kerrang! . Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Wage War's Acoustic Album "The Stripped Sessions" Due In December, Music Video Launched For New Version Of "Never Said Goodbye"". The PRP. November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  39. ↑ Oakeshott, Will (February 21, 2020). "Review: Polaris, Wage War (USA), Crystal Lake (Japan) and Alpha Wolf, The Gov, Adelaide, 21 February 2020". Heavymag. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  40. ↑ Peters, Kris (October 13, 2021). "Wage War Go Manic On New Album". Heavymag. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  41. ↑ "Wage War: "We know we're a heavy band, and we really embraced that"". Upset Magazine. September 30, 2021. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  42. ↑ Glover, Nao (October 14, 2022). "Wage War shares stripped down video for 'Godspeed'". HM . Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  43. ↑ Rose, Anna (August 28, 2019). "Wage War // Changing Of The Tides". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  44. ↑ Rose, Anna (August 23, 2019). "Wage War Pressure". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  45. ↑ Vapour, Dj (July 24, 2020). "Playthrough: "Who I Am" from Wage War!". Metal Noise. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  46. 1 2 3 Rolls, Alex (September 30, 2021). "Album Review: Wage War - Manic". The Alt Club. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.