Calgary extreme metal legion WAKE have unleashed ‘Devouring Ruin’ – the band’s most captivating and ruthless full length to date, today, ahead of it’s March 27th worldwide release via Translation Loss Records. ‘Devouring Ruin’ is streaming in full NOW at Metal Injection alongside an in-depth interview, featuring all members of the band, where they deep dive into the making of the bands most thoughtful, dynamic, and provocative material thus far.
“We wrote this album in the most creatively inspired and cohesive headspace we’ve been in as a band”, says drummer, Josh Bueckert. “I think it’s an example of what we are all trying to progress towards musically-making something fresh and unique.”
‘Devouring Ruin’ has already received outstanding acclaim from Decibel Magazine, Metalsucks, Metal Injection, BangerTV, Kerrang!, Brooklyn Vegan, Invisible Oranges, and many more. ‘Devouring Ruin’ is available for pre-order now via Translation Loss Records and is available on LP (two vinyl variants – one is already sold out), compact disc, and digital. Order links can be found below.
Canadian metal act WAKE have never stood still musically. Whether with blindingly fast tempos, lacerative metallic riffs or achingly ominous, thunderous doom, the band has never feared bending any musical theme to its will. One constant theme has always held every song together, throughout the band’s decade-long history: pure, depressive void. WAKE push to redefine how expansive and dynamic grindcore and extreme metal can be.
Devouring Ruin, WAKE’s fourth album and second for Translation Loss Records, sees the band explore the juxtaposition of extreme tempo change, sudden shifts, and collapsing rhythmic and psychological states to challenge genres and standards. Ten songs blend furious blasting chaos with suffocating strained ambience and depressive melodic guitar lines, amidst vocalist Kyle Ball’s dystopic liturgies.
Devouring Ruin is an open window for listeners to hear the internal ruin that lives within the band.
Their personal wounds and self defeat are on clear display; the roaring emotional path that lives within them is heard through fast tempos, melodic bursts, water-falling leads and black metal riffs – taking you full circle to embrace chaos. The album reflects the band’s personal defeats, and their acceptance to live with the emotional aftermath of their previous albums themes.
“Lyrically, Misery Rites was about my self destructive patterns – this is about the ghost of all that I left behind and the wake of self defeat”, comments vocalist Kyle Ball.
WAKE’s albums have always proudly displayed diversity across the many facets of metal, and Devouring Ruin is the bands most diverse effort yet. From the diffusive, arpeggiated melodies of “Kana Tevora” to the slow, pounding churn of “Torchbearer” to the wretched, horrified sadness that rings out “The Procession”, the band aims at bringing their live ferocity, honed over tens of thousands of miles on the road across North America and Europe, to its finest and most intimidating point on Devouring Ruin.
After releasing their last LP Misery Rites to critical acclaim, and various festival appearances, including the Decibel Metal and Beer Festival, Maryland Deathfest, Southwest Terror Fest, and many more, WAKE carry on in 2020 and beyond – scorning the weak, ignoring the trends, and digging heels into the road.
Devouring Ruin will be released on March 27, 2019 via Translation Loss Records on LP (two variants), compact disc, and on all digital platforms.
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio in Denver, CO September/October 2019. Guest solo on Mouth of Abolition by Ben Hutcherson (Khemmis, Glacial Tomb). Art and layout by Alexandre Goulet.
