Werewolves - Die For Us
Die For Us opens with a caution, an ominous and threatening message from actor Tom Hardy. The quote appears in episode 7 of the television show, Taboo. Tom Hardy's character, James Keziah Delaney, warns George Chichester to leave very quickly, or stay for the violence that is coming his way. I chose to ignore Tom Hardy's warning, and I listened to Die For Us, and all fans of extreme music should do the same. Sonically, there are heavier Death Metal albums that have been released in 2024, however none that are as blatantly sadistic, obnoxious and fierce. The hate is strong in these Australians.
Across their 5 year career, Werewolves has released 5 albums and an EP, and if all goes to plan then they will release another 5 before the end of the decade. Normally, a prolific 2-year release cycle would pose concerns about the quality of the output, however, Werewolves has been remarkably consistent in quality, and Die For Us is their strongest album so far. Each member of the band has at least 25 years experience behind them. They know how to write a metal song, and what works in the scheme and flow of an album. It is an art form to write a 36 minute long album that is as engaging and energetic in the first second as it is the last, and Werewolves do that with Die For Us.
Die For Us is the longest Werewolves album, coming in at 36 minutes, which is a whole minute longer than From The Cave to The Grave and What a Time to Be Alive. The band use this 60 seconds to great effect, including a sample from the movie Step Brothers before the song “My Hate is Strong.” Elsewhere, the samples used on Die For Us are well timed, seemingly tongue-in-cheek, yet spiteful enough to question whether Werewolves actually hates the metal community and society in general. Rok from Australian legends, Sadistik Exekution has a violent guest spot on “My Hate is Strong,” unleashing a thunderous 'FUCK YOU." While stylistically different, the spirit of Australian bands, Sadistik Exekution and Bestial Warlust lives on through Werewolves and on Die For Us.
The band make subtle changes from album to album. After comparing The Dead and Screaming (2020) to Die For Us, the most notable difference is that they have written better choruses here. They are not quite sing along choruses, but they are catchy choruses, and phrases that will have the mosh pit in raptures, fists pumping, and spittle flying. The album is stacked with a barrage of riffs, full throttle drumming and a dynamic vocal performance by Sam Bean. His voice is used as a weapon, rather than a brushstroke. Death Metal vocalists around the world should take notice of this performance, and how to sound simultaneously brutal and catchy. The fantastically titled “Under a Urinal Moon” has an extra flare of evil, it drops back in pace from what has come before it, but it certainly does not drop in the level of menace. I can hear a touch of Nailbomb in “Spittle-Flecked Rant,” which is another example of the subtle variations that Werewolves uses.
Death Metal, virtually by its definition alone, is an absurd genre. More often than not, Death Metal bands lack authenticity because they take themselves so seriously. Werewolves has found a sweet spot here, and a balance that is unique. It is clear that they are poking fun at their fans at times, especially on the antagonistic title track:
"This crowd is weak."
"Your town is shit."
Only an Australian Death Metal band could get away with those lyrics, Americans would take it all far too seriously and burn them upon the cross. You can not label Werewolves a joke band though; they put too much care into the quality of their music; and while they spit it out quickly, I am sure that there are riffs and lyrics that they leave on the cutting room floor. Each member of Werewolves has too much respect for themselves, and each other to dial this in half arsed, and if they found that their passion for doing this was beginning to waiver, then they would much rather step away, than release mediocrity for the sake of adhering to the decade of albums telos.
The balance between humour, sarcasm and taking the art form seriously will be interesting to monitor over the next 5 years, and 10 albums in 10 years will test the theory that music has become disposable. Will Werewolves fans care about last year’s album? Or is that the whole point of Werewolves anyway? What seems like an attack on their fan base at face value could also be interpreted much broader, socially or even politically, and I think that can get lost here. But Werewolves really do not care, and it is that attitude that makes Werewolves so entertaining.
Proof that the band take their art form seriously is there for all to see on each album cover. The artwork, by Mitchell Nolte, is a detailed buffet of hell, with dishes of violence, mobs of bodies, fire and sex. You can get lost in Mitchell's artwork for a long time, and apparently there is a connected theme running through each album. The meat grinder on the cover of Die For Us is a perfect sign of the times.
Die For Us is another killer album with no filler, bring on 2025 lads.