Photo Credit: Clay Patrick McBride

Early Takes on Bad Wolves – Die About It (Deluxe Edition)

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Bad Wolves return September 19th with the deluxe edition of Die About It, featuring nine brand-new tracks and a handful of high-profile collaborations. Guests include Lauri Ylönen of Finnish rock icons The Rasmus, Killboy, Daughtry, and Stand Atlantic—a lineup that reflects the band’s desire to stretch their sound and open new doors while staying true to their heavy roots.

What immediately stands out about this record is its variety. Too often, deluxe albums feel like filler, but Die About It (Deluxe Edition) doesn’t suffer from repetition. Each track carries its own weight, with shifts in style and tone that keep the listener engaged from start to finish.

The album begins with a mellow, atmospheric guitar intro that sets a contemplative mood before plunging into the first full track, “Bad Friend.” Here, Bad Wolves deliver sharp hooks, clean vocals, catchy drum patterns, and harmonies that make the chorus soar. The arrangement moves from subtle instrumentation to explosive climaxes, echoing the lyrical theme of betrayal suggested by its title.

The title track, “Die About It,” takes a completely different direction, opening with a deep, attention-grabbing riff before diving into rap-infused verses. The experimentation pays off, adding diversity to the record’s flow. Lyrically, it continues the album’s exploration of fractured relationships, cutting ties, and resilience.

“Savior” proves to be one of the emotional highlights. The verses are carried by melodic, clean vocals, contrasted by a chorus that rises with intensity and power. The duality makes for a compelling listen and underscores the song’s message about being there for someone in their darkest moments.

“Hungry for Life” may be the most hopeful track on the record. Opening with subtle instrumentation that frames the vocals, the song gradually builds in both power and emotion. By the second verse, heavier layers join in, amplifying the sense of triumph. Lyrically, it’s a powerful anthem of survival, about pulling yourself out of despair and reclaiming purpose. It’s the kind of track that resonates long after it ends.

One of the more emotionally heavy tracks, “Legends Never Die” grapples with the loss of someone close, whether family, a friend, or another personal connection. The song explores the grief of those left behind while layering in catchy riffs, clean vocals, and subtle electronic textures. The bridge and shifting tempos add depth, making the track not only heartfelt but musically engaging.

“Nda” stands out as one of the most experimental tracks. Its verses lean toward a modern pop sound before the chorus bursts into rock-driven energy, giving it a pop-punk edge not often associated with Bad Wolves. Lyrically, the song tackles a fractured relationship, with one side hiding the truth while the other chooses silence. The surprise element comes in the outro, where horns are added, giving the track a bluesy, unexpected twist that elevates its uniqueness.

Opening with a bold guitar statement, “Move On” quickly shifts into harder-hitting vocals and instrumentation. Interestingly, the chorus provides a more restrained, melodic counterpoint to the aggressive verses. Thematically, the track touches on heartbreak and the process of letting go, pairing emotional vulnerability with sonic contrasts that keep the listener hooked.

“Masquerade” is a rhythm-driven track that relies heavily on shifting patterns and guitar layers to stay unpredictable. From start to finish, the instrumental shifts keep listeners on their toes, while the steady guitar foundation anchors the track. It’s a brilliantly crafted song that highlights the band’s ability to balance complexity with accessibility.

This updated version of “Say It Again” feels closer to Bad Wolves’ earlier style—dark, heavy, and emotionally charged. The lyrics speak to personal struggle, while the guest appearance from Lauri Ylönen of The Rasmus adds a chilling vocal counterpart that enhances the track’s haunting edge.

A slower, more emotive offering, “It’s You (2 Months)” features guest vocals from Killboy, who provides a striking contrast to the band’s frontman. The track builds from a subdued opening into a more intense chorus, where instrumentation and emotion peak. A standout guitar solo in the bridge gives the song an extra punch, while lyrically, it portrays a deep and consuming love.

“Turn It Down” begins softly, with a stripped-down introduction that quickly gives way to towering guitar riffs. The verses remain relatively calm, letting the melody shine, but the choruses explode with heaviness and grit. The back-and-forth dynamic between restrained and aggressive sections keeps the track flowing smoothly while underscoring its theme of feeling overwhelmed by life.

Haunting vocals open “Set You On Fire,” setting an eerie mood that carries into the lyrics, which seem to reclaim power from someone toxic. The verses remain measured and subdued, while the chorus surges with intensity. It’s a song of defiance, carried by the band’s signature balance of melody and muscle.

“Hungry for Life,” is perhaps the most hopeful moment on the record. Opening with soft, low drums and understated guitar, the song gradually expands into a powerful anthem of resilience. Daughtry’s unmistakable voice adds both warmth and gravitas, perfectly complementing the theme of pulling oneself out of a dark place to find light again. It’s an uplifting closer that leaves the listener with a sense of renewal.

“Hanging on to Thunder” leans into a smoother side of Bad Wolves. The track layers clean, emotive vocals over a flowing guitar melody, with a chorus that swells just enough to add weight without overwhelming the mood. Guitar solos weave through the song tastefully, avoiding chaos and instead complementing the lyrical themes of emotional hardship, inner conflict, and resilience.

If “Hanging on to Thunder” is reflective, “Made for Misery” slams in with full intensity. Hard-hitting instrumentals and aggressive vocals underline lyrics about being trapped in a cycle of pain, brokenness, and suffering. The song doesn’t shy away from anger or anguish, making it one of the rawer, heavier moments on the record.

“Home” opens with delicate guitar plucking and soft, almost vulnerable vocals, before transitioning into bursts of chaotic heaviness. The contrast between the calm verses and explosive peaks makes for a dynamic listening experience. Lyrically, it continues the record’s exploration of inner turmoil and the search for belonging, striking a balance between fragility and force.

“Because Of You” returns to the band’s classic heavy formula: thick riffs, commanding vocals, and driving rhythms. The lyrics suggest heartbreak and emotional struggle, but also the desire for reconciliation and amends. It’s quintessential Bad Wolves — raw, heavy, and unapologetically direct.

“All I Need Is Hope” is energetic and layered, almost chaotic at times. The track begins with vocalizations that slide into a rap-like cadence before erupting into a powerful chorus. Instrumentation and vocals collide in a wall of sound that mirrors the message of clinging to hope through overwhelming circumstances. Even with its dense mix, the song lands as a powerful reminder of perseverance. A standout detail comes in the final stretch, where the drum sequencing builds with intensity, giving the track a climactic push that leaves the album on a high, defiant note.

The deluxe edition rounds out with a handful of alternate takes and live recordings that feel like a thoughtful gift to fans. “Say It Again” returns, this time with The Rasmus, whose presence gives the track an added atmospheric edge. “Legends Never Die” appears again in a striking orchestral version, where strings elevate the emotional weight of the song. Two live cuts—”Bad Friend” and “Legends Never Die”—showcase the band’s raw power in a concert setting, reminding listeners that Bad Wolves’ material resonates just as strongly off the stage as it does in the studio.

What makes Die About It (Deluxe Edition) compelling is its sheer variety. Across these new additions, listeners get a wide spectrum: crushing heaviness, melodic vulnerability, cross-genre experimentation, high-profile guest features, and even orchestral and live reimaginings. It’s an album that refuses to sit still, pulling fans through different sounds, moods, and forms without ever becoming repetitive.

The deluxe edition doesn’t just tack on bonus material—it enriches the original release and reaffirms Bad Wolves’ reputation for balancing aggression with accessibility. With bold collaborations, refreshed versions, and tracks that span from defiance to hope, this expanded album proves that Bad Wolves are a band still evolving, still taking risks, and still capable of surprising their audience.

Jennifer is a Pennsylvania-based concert photographer whose lens finds the emotion, grit, and energy at the heart of every live performance. From packed festivals to intimate venues, she’s passionate about freezing the moments that make music unforgettable—whether it’s a guitarist mid-leap, a crowd lost in a chorus, or the quiet intensity between songs. With a sharp eye for detail and a deep love for the alternative, emo, punk, and metal scenes, Jennifer’s work blends raw emotion with vivid storytelling. Her journey into photography is as personal as it is artistic—she found healing and purpose through the music and the community that surrounds it. For Jennifer, every photo is a chance to connect, to tell a story, and to remind people that music saves—and so do the memories we make through it.

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