Bad Wolves

After decades on the US underground rock scene, drummer John Boecklin brought together a gang of seasoned heavy metal warriors to work on his new material in 2017. By the following year Bad Wolves were enjoying a worldwide hit with a full-throated cover of The Cranberries' “Zombie”. First to join was front man Tommy Vext who had grown up in the New York hardcore scene in the 1990s fronting a variety of bands including Snot, Divine Heresy, and Westfield Massacre. He'd made it out to Los Angeles as a motivational speaker and 12-step program mentor and was re-invigorated when he heard Boecklin's new songs. Alongside guitarists Doc Coyle (formerly of God Forbid), Chris Cain (Bury Your Dead) and bassist Kyle Konkiel (In This Moment), they set about turning metal thunder and punk chaos into an epic soul-bearing, sonic-shifting new sound inspired by Faith No More. Early singles “Learn to Live” and “Toast to the Ghost” won over metal and hard rock loyalists and landed them a deal with the Eleven Seven label. After hearing the original version of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” whilst hanging out in Venice Beach coffee shops, Vext suggested the band cover the 1990s classic. They were set to record a version of the song with its writer Dolores O'Riordan on backing vocals but, on the day they were due in the studio, The Cranberries singer passed away. The 2018 track quickly became the most downloaded song in 40 countries, notching up over 55 million social media views in two months. Their debut album Disobey followed and, amid songs about America's political divisions, police brutality, and social injustice, they concocted a sound full of speaker-blowing ferocity and earnest intensity that drew comparisons with Rage Against the Machine, Pantera and Meshuggah. They released their sophomore album, N.A.T.I.O.N., in 2019. However, in the midst of recording their third album, vocalist Tommy Vext left the band and was replaced by Daniel ‘DL’ Laskiewicz (The Acacia Strain). The new line-up of Bad Wolves released their next album, Dear Monsters, in 2021. Founding member Chris Cain left the band in 2022 and Max Karon became their rhythm guitarist before leaving the following year and allowing vocalist Laskiewicz to play guitar again. Bad Wolves returned in 2023 with their fourth album, Die About It, which featured the singles “Legends Never Die,” “Bad Friend,” “Savior,” and “Die About It.”

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