Debut EP from Wax Heart Sodality

Sonic purveyors of gothic garage rock, the band Wax Heart Sodality rises from the north east of England. This exciting quartet unites under the banner of their music to transcend adversity, embracing anonymity through their masks to allow their art to present their creative vision. Musically, Wax Heart Sodality crafts an expansive sound that marries piercing post punk guitar work, reverb-drenched vocals and powerful drums.

Their lineage draws from the likes of Bauhaus, Danzig and Depeche Mode, with kindred spirits found in contemporaries such as Walt Disco and Urban Heat. Their lyrical narratives dive into the undercurrents of everyday existence, exploring the masks we don to navigate life, maintain the status quo and shield our true selves. In the live arena, the band’s theatrics and electrifying presence command visual attention, while their music captivates the ears with dark, impassioned tones that enthral audiences.

Their debut eponymous EP Wax Heart Sodality, recorded and produced by Steven Bardgett at The Green Dragon Studios in Stockton, delivers a four-track opus, with previously released singles as its heralds. “Funny Games,” the opening track, kicks off with a commanding drumbeat, quickly joined by screeching guitar tones. This sets the stage for an energising indie rock excursion, driven by the commanding vocal leads that hover above the rhythmic pulse. As the guitars return, a wall of sound engulfs the listener in an intense sonic landscape. The lyrics here serve as a poignant reflection on the disparities of modern society, questioning the divide between the haves and have-nots.

“Live, Laugh, Love” introduces itself with softly shimmering guitar chords that gracefully lead into a laid-back drumbeat. Vocals enter the scene, spinning delicate melodic threads, gradually building to an anthemic chorus that buzzes with vocal intensity and charging guitar tones. The track reveals the band’s ability to switch up between various moods and energies while pondering the meaning of life via their profound lyricism.

“Lick Skin / Taste Win” captures a bouncy rhythm, with smooth vocal leads interspersed with intricate guitar plucks. The band’s full sonic force emerges, crafting a relentlessly propulsive sound. Lyrically, the song takes aim at the privileges bestowed upon the fortunate, viewed from the outside looking in, while pondering what it would be like to enjoy the comforts and opportunities of others.

Closing the EP is “Shine,” a chugging desert rock-inspired composition that channels the moody rock aesthetics of the 90s. It offers the swagger and attitude of vocalists like Scott Weiland, delivering lyrics that revolve around the regrets that can surface from following the more conventional paths in life. The song is enveloped in a hazy, grunge-infused rock vibe, complete with piquant guitar leads and unexpected rhythmic shifts.

Wax Heart Sodality’s debut EP is a compelling journey through the enigmatic world of gothic garage rock, a shining example of their knack for crafting dark and mesmerising songs that explore the complexities of life. With this release, Wax Heart Sodality establishes themselves as a band to watch in the constantly evolving alternative rock scene of the UK and beyond.

Listen to Wax Heart Sodality below