PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
So, the wait is over as Ward XVI don’t just release their new studio album Id3ntity, they unleash it on Friday, July 11th via Earache Records. These thirteen bakers dozen songs are not for the faint hearted but I can guarantee you will have a rewarding listen.
These songs will leave you emotionally and aurally shattered once they’ve finished with you and whatever music system it’s blasted through! The Preston, Lancashire based six piece band, pull out all the stops for their third studio album
The album opens with ‘Regeneration’ as the evil glee voice of lead singer ‘Psychoberrie’ is unnerving to say the least as ghoulish news reports gather momentum towards riffs that hack and slash with a full on guitar freak out.
‘Into The Wilderness’ is a slow but steady pounder to shake your foundations, as once again we’re treated to a barrage of metal that threatens to blow your speakers. Histrionic vocals are glass shattering, closing on wah wah guitar madness.
‘What’s In The Box’ brings their circus tinged collaboration for an upbeat jaunt with a brief rest from the ensuing melancholy, until a thrashtastic midsection rules supreme.
‘Macaberet’ is one of the most ballistic songs of theirs I’ve heard in their three album career so far, so fasten your seatbelts. It’s another dyed in the wool, hairy headbanger, especially when an outrageous guitar solo fires out some manic fretboard fury.
‘Interlude1’ is a less than a minute piece that will have you climbing the walls to break free from its fury.
‘Blood Is The New Black’, first single released from the album lives up to it’s title, opening up its veins to drench anyone or thing that stands in its way.
‘At The Window’, third single has lead vocals that are utterly demented that lurch along with an evil glee. An orchestral vibe are ear bashing earworms, backed by razor sharp riffs to fire up any pit they open up.
‘I Spit On Your Grave’ builds up momentum towards an unholy grind until it goes completely off the scale for a metal extravaganza of drum driven bombast!
‘Interlude2’ is a creepy, brief spoken word piece.
‘Darkest Desire’ has a hypnotically heavy intro that draws you in for another wrecking ball power foray of kick drum power, slamming guitar overload and mental outro.
‘Amoeba Of Madness’ has an almost angelic vocal that unfurls suffocating riffing with added touches of piano and an air guitar meltdown section midway.
‘Interlude3’ is the last but menacing short but sweet piece that rounds up all the horror it can hold, ending on miniscule minute gunshot.
This highly impressive album ends rather aptly with first single, ‘We Are Legion’. It’s a statement of intent, not just a song as they lock in tight for some major rager thrash. Haunting keyboards are prominent, all pinned down by harrowing vocals.
The resurgence of WARD XVI is undeniable as the band are set to release their breathtaking new album, Id3ntity, which is out on Friday 11th July, via Earache. The fascinating six piece have also dropped their stunning new single and video, We Are Legion – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWVFIHvLbQM . Listen to the band via – https://open.spotify.com/artist/1iB6Fms5mWFqlK0vJi07of , and for UK tour details, see – https://wardxvi.com/tour-dates/ .
WARD XVI band info :- http://linktr.ee/wardxvi
Flamboyant shock rockers, WARD XVI, are based in the North West of England, and have already amassed a substantial reputation for their enthralling performances that introduce spellbinding imagery with a haunting narrative. The grisly crew portray the tale of a female serial killer, Psychoberrie, and replay her story by using a distinctive blend of drama, music, and theatre.Continuing from the triumphs of their last album, Metamorphosis, which received extensive approval and secured many accolades, WARD XVI are now poised to release their much anticipated new album, Id3ntity, which is the last piece of a trilogy of releases.
Past single, Blood Is The New Black, was premiered by Kerrang! Radio, picked up a number one chart position at Primordial Radio, and has been widely praised by fans and media alike. Now loaded with a new single, We Are Legion, which has also just been premiered by Kerrang!, and with a glut of live shows and festival appearances on the way, WARD XVI’s calling is growing stronger and stronger by the day……
WARD XVI live this October: Saturday 18th – Hidden, Dundee; Sunday 19th – Ivory Blacks, Glasgow; Monday – 20th The Cluny, Newcastle; Tuesday 21st – Yardbird, Grimsby; Wednesday 22nd – Nighttrain, Bradford; Thursday 23rd – O’Rileys, Hull; Friday 24th – Firebug, Leicester; Saturday 25th – Brickmakers, Norwich; Sunday 26th – Cart & Horses, London; Monday 27th – Levels, Swindon; Tuesday 28th – The Cobblestones, Bridgwater; Wednesday 29th – The Bunkhouse, Swansea; Thursday 30th – The Station, Cannock; Friday 31st – Blitz, Preston.
| WARD XVI Album launch with Red Method at Manchester Academy 2 on Friday 25th July. For details and tickets, see: https://www.manchesteracademy.net/order/tickets/13376508/ward-xvi-id3ntity-manchester-academy-2-2025-07-25-19-30-00 |
Track listing: 1. Regeneration; 2. Into The Wilderness; 3. What’s In The Box?; 4. Macabaret; 5. Interlude; 6. Blood Is The New Black; 7. At The Window; . 8. I Spit On Your Grave; 9. Interlude 2; 10. Darkest Desire; 11. Amoeba Of Madness; 12. Interlude 3; 13. We Are Legion.
WARD XVI are: Psychoberrie- vocals, programming, keyboards/ synth; Doktor Von Stottenstein- guitars, vocals; Wolfy Huntsman- bass, vocals; Bam Bam Bedlam- drums; Rico Rameres- vocals / theatrics; Nurse Betty- theatrics.
