Wraith's Lacerating Thrash Approaches, "Cloaked in Black" (Early Track Stream)
In the tradition of blackened speed metal bands everywhere, it’s hard to stop Indiana’s Wraith. When I first started writing for Invisible Oranges, I noted (back in the early, optimistic days of 2020) that they were a band worth trying to see live, but of course that’s been difficult ever since I wrote that article. As shows make a halting return to the Midwest, Wraith is poised to blaze back as well with a third full-length album that sets them up for a fiery reclamation of the stage. Rather than depart from their specialized dual focus in blackened thrash and raucous speed metal, their new album Undo the Chains takes the sound from their 2019 full-length Absolute Power one step further into the dark. We’re premiering the first single “Cloaked in Black” here, which highlights the sinister intensity of Undo the Chains:
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Revelling in both catchy, punky riffs and tight chugs, Wraith’s fast-paced assault is coated with a menacing layer of grime, more life-choking than ever despite the roomier mix. This kind of music can often start to blur together, especially on discography runs, but speedy song times and sing/yell-along choruses help here to mentally separate the reckless d-beat riffs. The album also takes occasional stylistic diversions into heavier thrash metal and stronger melodic segments, providing exciting shifts that never pull too far away from the central goals of speed and evil. Undo the Chains is a dose of uncompromising viciousness that feels like it must kick ass live, but it’s also a high-caliber offering on tape.
From the band:
“Cloaked in Black” has all the classic Wraith elements wrapped up into one song. It’s fast, it’s heavy, and it’s apparent that this is one of our most sophisticated works to date. The ripping solos and lyric content/structure also add a great deal of personality to the first single off of Undo the Chains. All of these characteristics can be found spread throughout the new record, and we feel that has given us a very unique spot within the blackened thrash scene that separates us from the rest of the pack.
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Undo the Chains releases September 24th, 2021 via Redefining Darkness Records.
