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Manic (Wage War album)

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Manic
Studio album by
Wage War
ReleasedOctober 1, 2021 (2021-10-01)
RecordedApril 2020–July 2021
Genre
Length35:38
LabelFearless
Producer
Wage War chronology
Pressure
(2019) 		Manic
(2021) 		Stigma
(2024)
Singles from Manic
  1. "High Horse"
    Released: August 6, 2021
  2. "Circle the Drain"
    Released: August 25, 2021
  3. "Teeth"
    Released: September 14, 2021
  4. "Godspeed"
    Released: June 28, 2022

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.[3][4]

Background and promotion

[edit]

On April 8, 2020, while on their downtime during the period of self-isolation caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Wage War announced on Twitter that they were working on new material for their upcoming record. Along with the announcement, the band also teased a song and wrote: "Making the most of quarantine. #ww4"[5][6]

On August 6, the band officially released the single "High Horse" along with its music video.[7][8] On August 25, almost three weeks after the release of "High Horse", the band unveiled the second single "Circle the Drain". At the same time, the band revealed the album itself, the album cover, the track list, and release date.[9][10][11] 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.[12][13][14] On September 14, the band released the third single "Teeth".[15][16]

During an interview, Cody Quistad revealed that Manic features "songs for the new fans and also the old, but then there's some brand new stuff that I feel like I've never heard bands do before."[17]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Distorted Sound8/10[18]
Kerrang![1]
Rock 'N' Load9/10[19]
Wall of Sound7.5/10[20]

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Distorted Sound scored the album 8 out of 10 and said: "This release, Manic, is a roundup of what the band has felt for the past year and a half, saying that they effectively lost their jobs which obviously came with a lot of frustration. Pairing this with the desire to try out new things with their sound, the results are an album that's well worth your attention."[18] Kerrang! gave the album 4 out of 5 and stated: "It's not a perfect album, and it won't please every fan, but Manic represents a new step forward and when it hits home it absolutely slays. Get ready to Wage War once more."[1] Rock 'N' Load praised the album saying, "Overall, this album is solid, it showcases what Wage War are all about and the progression from their prior albums. Whilst there is nothing new and ground-breaking, it's an impressive showing from the Florida based Quintet and one I'll be listening to after finishing this review."[19] Adam Rice of Wall of Sound gave the album the score 7.5/10, writing: "In my opinion, this isn't Wage War's finest work. It definitely has its moments and had me on the edge of my seat in some songs but there are a few too many skip-worthy tracks that unfortunately dull the shine that Manic had the potential to offer. However, I do encourage everyone to give it a chance and to come up with their own conclusion."[20]

Track listing

[edit]

All lyrics are written by Wage War; all music is composed by Wage War

Manic track listing[21]
No.TitleLength
1."Relapse"2:59
2."Teeth"3:08
3."Manic"2:44
4."High Horse"2:48
5."Circle the Drain"3:35
6."Godspeed"3:06
7."Death Roll"3:01
8."Slow Burn"3:09
9."Never Said Goodbye"3:19
10."True Colors"3:09
11."If Tomorrow Never Comes"4:40
Total length:35:38

Notes

  • "Circle the Drain", "Slow Burn", "Never Said Goodbye", and "Godspeed" all were re-released as stripped versions for an album titled The Stripped Sessions. A cover of Folsom Prison Blues was also recorded during the Manic sessions and was also released on The Stripped Sessions. [22]

Personnel

[edit]

Wage War

  • Briton Bond – lead vocals, additional guitars
  • Seth Blake – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Cody Quistad – rhythm guitar, clean vocals, production, engineering
  • Chris Gaylord – bass, backing vocals
  • Stephen Kluesener – drums

Additional personnel

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for Manic
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[23] 76
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[24] 18
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[25] 16

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Travers, Paul (September 30, 2021). "Album review: Wage War – Manic". Kerrang!. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  2. ^ Peters, Kris (October 13, 2021). "Wage War Go Manic On New Album". Heavy Magazine. Retrieved December 13, 2021.
  3. ^ "Wage War announce fourth album Manic, drop new single Circle The Drain". Kerrang!. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "Wage War Release Eclectic Single 'Circle The Drain'". Wall of Sound. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "NEWS: Wage War begin work on fourth album; tease new song!". Dead Press!. April 10, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "Wage War Working On Fourth Album, Tease New Song". ThePRP. April 8, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  7. ^ "Wage War have unleashed a crushing new single, High Horse". Kerrang!. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Wage War Return With New Single 'High Horse'". Rock Sound. August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  9. ^ "Wage War To Release New Album "Manic" In October, Debut "Circle The Drain"". ThePRP. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  10. ^ "This Is Everything You Need To Know About Wage War's New Album 'Manic'". Rock Sound. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  11. ^ "Wage War announce new album 'Manic'". Distorted Sound. August 25, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "I Prevail Reschedule European/UK Tour To 2022, Wage War & Dream State To Open". ThePRP. May 7, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  13. ^ "I Prevail's Upcoming UK/EU Tour Has Been Rescheduled To 2022". Rock Sound. May 7, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  14. ^ "NEWS: I Prevail postpone UK tour to March 2022!". Dead Press!. May 8, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  15. ^ "LISTEN: Wage War's Stunningly Crushing New Track 'Teeth'". Rock Sound. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "Wage War Continue Momentum With Studio Version of 'Teeth'". Wall of Sound. September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Aarons, Ricky (September 28, 2021). "Cody Quistad – 'Wage War's Journey to Ultimate Metalcore Self-Actualisation With MANIC'". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  18. ^ a b Sheldon, Izzy (September 30, 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Manic – Wage War". Distorted Sound. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "Wage War // Manic // Album Review". Rock 'N' Load. October 5, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Rice, Adam (September 27, 2021). "Wage War – Manic (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved September 27, 2021.
  21. ^ "Manic by Wage War". Apple Music. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  22. ^ War, Wage. "The Stripped Sessions". spotify.com. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  23. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 11 October 2021". The ARIA Report. No. 1649. Australian Recording Industry Association. October 11, 2021. p. 6.
  24. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 9, 2021.
  25. ^ "Wage War Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 24, 2021.
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