Wanderer's 2021 full-length Liberation From A Brutalist Existence beat me over the head with a tire iron until I submitted and slotted it into my AOTY list, grateful to be alive. I don't know what's in the water up in Minneapolis, but it seems like every new band I fall in love with is from the midwest stopover (Silurian, Tulip, BEJALVIN, etc.), with Wanderer leading the pack with their infectious false-grinding metallic hardcore.
On forthcoming EP Indulgence of the Unreal, Wanderer have leveled up their sound in some pretty unique ways. "Pure Human Despair" sees the band employ a bassoon breakdown, noisy synths, and the help of human buzzsaw Jamie Eubanks of Knoll on guest vocals. The result is a topsy-turvy mid-tempo assbeater that borders on full-on death metal and satisfies in the weird, wonderful way only Wanderer can.
Check out the premiere of "Pure Human Despair" right here and pre-order Indulgence of the Unreal, out February 24th.
