The Band
Alpha Wolf is an Australian metalcore band formed in 2013. The name came from the movie The Grey.
Their style of music can be categorized as “nu metalcore” (a mix between nu metal and metalcore), which shows a lot of influence of bands like Korn, especially in the guitar tone and some rap sounds.
Band members:
- Lochie Keogh – lead vocals
- Sabian Lynch – rhythm guitar
- John Arnold – bass, backing vocals
- Scottie Simpson – lead guitar
- Mitch Fogarty – drums
The Album
They released their third studio album, Half Living Things, on April 5th, 2024.
The Songs
1. Bring Back The Noise. It’s a party song to kick off the album and wake you up. Heavy, in-your-face song. It has DJ scratches, a perfect song for moshing. It reminds me of Anthrax & Public Enemy – Bring the Noise. This is one of the singles.
2. Double-Edge Demise. At the song’s start, the cymbals sound amazing and super clear. Then, the madness begins. I imagine this song will unleash a crazy mosh pit when they play it live. I love the guitar riff.
3. Haunter. Heavier, sludgy. Lochie shows his death growls on this.
4. Sucks 2 Suck (feat. Ice-T). Another single. This song features the super famous American rapper Ice-T, who also has a band of rap metal, Body Count. He gives a little hyped speech. Cool collaboration.
The whole song has a rap vibe mixed with metalcore. Lochie sings in a rap style, but without losing his aggressive style.
5. Whenever You’re Ready. Another single. Metalcore ballad. Nice, catchy chorus, chilled moment. John, the bassist, does the clean vocals, the same as in the next song.
6. Pretty Boy. Starts heavy. Death, and metalcore vocals, alternating. Melodic chorus. Hate towards a toxic love.
7. Mangekyō. Heavy, good guitar riff and breakdown.
8. A Terrible Day For Rain. Heavy, with a kind of Korn vibe.
9. Feign. Revenge and hatred. Excellent guitar riff.
10. Garden Of Eyes. Sludgy vibe. Fantastic breakdown. Heavy, good tone.
11. Half Living Things. The title track. Begins with a crazy melody.
12. Ambivalence. This last song of the album has a different vibe. It initiates soft and mellow. Builds up and Lochie comes with his screams. But there’s another voice, John, again, doing the clean vocals, layered. Both voices create a nice contrast. This metalcore ballad ends the album in a chilled and beautiful way. Although I like the whole album, a lot, this is my favorite track.
Final Thoughts
Metalcore screaming vocals with Lochie.
Two axes with Scottie and Sabian, that play low tuning djent guitar, catchy riffs, and choruses.
Hardcore elements, some DJ scratching, moshing music.
John, the bassist, also sings the clean vocals with a sweet beautiful voice in many songs of this album.
Mitch, besides being a talented drummer, is responsible for writing many guitar riffs of this album.
The songs are super fast-paced, and the album lasts only 39 minutes, but it leaves you ultra-hyped.
Most of the lyrics are on the revenge side.
Good album and I’m guessing they must put on a great, super energetic show live.
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Tracklist
- Bring Back The Noise
- Double-Edge Demise
- Haunter
- Sucks 2 Suck (feat. Ice-T)
- Whenever You’re Ready
- Pretty Boy
- Mangekyō
- A Terrible Day For Rain
- Feign
- Garden Of Eyes
- Half Living Things
- Ambivalence