*This is part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state. This month’s state is South Dakota.*
This is why I absolutely adore writing SOTA articles for Metal Nexus. You look into what rock and metal is being produced by bands from different states and find artists who are phenomenal that you never knew existed. And then you share them with loads of music fans the world over! Work of Wolves are a band out of Sioux Falls, but that is pretty much all the bio I have on them, except who is in the group. Tyler Jung is on bass/vocals, Alex Foster plays drums/vocals, Paul Pinos is on guitar/vocals and Andrew Rogers handles keys/vocals.
The band are a brilliant blend of metalcore-like riffing and some growling vocals, but they also channel emo and even power metal genres. Their songs are melodic, memorable and very definitely metal! I have had their songs on re-play for most of the last few weeks. Their catalog covers one demo, two EPs and one album. The latest is the amazing ‘Purpose’ record.
‘Purpose’ was released this month and is seven tracks of heavenly metal. It has big time energy, verve and a restless sound that thrashes around your head. The vocals are superb, with understated harmonies and the musicianship hits highs that make you wonder why Work of Wolves aren’t huge. I have to say, this album will definitely make its way into any top ten records of 2020 for me, it is THAT good.
The songs on the latest E.P. have a groove that is infectious and an introspective attitude that is intelligent and moody. I love the vocal melody of “Pull Us Under” and its minor scale riffage. The song has some power.
Standout tracks are the hooky title track, with the bounce and evocative keys and the uptempo “Convictions”. Listening through the collection, I am also struck by the Nu-Metal influences and it does have that certain swirl of disconnected disillusionment that resonates today.
Check these guys out and discover South Dakota’s best kept musical secret.
