EP Review: ALPHA

A new chapter in the hefty tomes of Tāmaki Makaurau hard rock and alternative metal has been penned.

Born from members of Coridian, Fire at Will, Swerve City, & the Sun Gods, CRY WOLF have for well over a year now, moved crowds and made heads bang with their unique style of rock. Made up of Kevin Ashby on guitar and mic, Josh Dillner as lead guitarist and backing vocals, Nick Raven on bass, and James Porteous behind the drum set, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing this local supergroup on several occasions, and can vouch for their tremendous sound and performances.

Following a string of hard-hitting singles, the quartet has at last collated and released their very first recording for the universe to admire. 

With all cylinders firing, ALPHA‘s opening track Rainfall blasts through walls and ceilings with a punchy and powerful barrage of drums, boosted basslines and loud guitars. An energising blend of Kevin and Josh’s vocals adds emotive power as they declare:

“There’s beauty in the rainfall

Now I know I’ve found where I belong.”

With the single Burn, there are truckloads of groove in the searing guitar riffs and clever drum patterns, all unquestionable trademarks of a good alt-metal song. As if signaling for battle, Kevin boldly calls:

“Follow me into the sun

Will we fly or will we burn?

Burn this city down, burn it to the ground.”

Delicate and heartfelt, Oceans is served as an emotive ballad centred around homesickness and the yearning to be reunited with loved ones. For this number, high-octane riffs are swapped out for light, echoing guitar notes and a strolling drum tempo.

Here, the lyrics are as straightforward as it gets:

“I’m coming back to you

And I’ll never let you go

‘Cause every sun that sets

Is one day closer to you.”

Carrying fantastic sonic similarities to the likes of the now-defunct Coridian, with its soaring and ambient soundscapes, Oceans is, without a doubt, the most personal and lyrically touching piece on this EP.

In contrast to the ballad prior, Player One showcases some sharp, angsty scream vocals, as well as the return of CRY WOLF’s now-familiar aural barrage of drums and guitars. On this track, the lyrics are more metaphorical and ever so slightly punk-rock, highlighting one’s urge to fight the establishment.

“Are we to entertain

The architect of fate

Just puppets in his show

As above so below

They write the lines for us to activate

Spawned into a world we can’t escape.“

The composition showcases a great balance of melodic singing and scream vocals, helping to effortlessly carry the track’s energy from beginning to finish, all dished up with healthy dashes of non-conformist attitudes.

Leaning back into more sonically expansive atmospheres, the rhythms of Waves seem to ebb and flow naturally, not unlike the lapping waters of a deep lake. The lyrics are once again very personal and introspective, likening life’s struggles to the undertow of a tide, attempting to drag one down. There is a great sense of empowerment, as Kevin declares:

“Stare down the void, until null and devoid

You will not have me, you’ll never have me.”

The pinnacle of this particular song comes during the final chorus, as the drums launch into double-time, and the layered vocals project a powerful elating feeling, while the guitars and roaring basslines sweep over the listener.

Capping off the CRY WOLF listening experience is Shadows, which showcases the band’s chunkiest and most muscly riffs out of all six recordings. Beset with scream vocals and stunning falsetto choruses, just when you think there would be some let-up, a swirling, fist-pumping, mosh-worthy breakdown takes over. Taken for a final spin, one is left dazed, headbanging, and wanting another round of the EP’s frenzy and power.

Fans of Linkin Park, Three Days Grace, or local Aotearoa legends Black River Drive and Written by Wolves ought to give this EP a whirl and a half. There is a refreshing energy to their writing, rounded out with arena-filling vocals and vast expanses of guitar sound.

Judging by the fine quality of this debut release, there is no doubt the four-piece will blow listeners away, impress audiences with live shows as well as future releases.

Follow CRY WOLF on all social media and stay up to date with their upcoming shows, and listen to the ALPHA EP here.