Bad Wolves

A Los Angeles-based heavy metal outfit with an impressive hard rock pedigree, Bad Wolves employ a lethal blend of melody and might that evokes names like Meshuggah, Mudvayne, and Sevendust. They gained mainstream attention in 2018 with their hit cover of the Cranberries’ “Zombie,” and then landed a string of singles atop the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart. Lead vocalist Tommy Vext left the group after the release of 2019′s N.A.T.I.O.N. He was replaced by Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz, who appeared on the hard-hitting subsequent efforts Dear Monsters (2021) and Die About It (2023).
Formed in 2014 by ex-DevilDriver co-founder John Boecklin (drums, guitars), the quintet also featured the talents of Doc Coyle (guitar), Chris Cain (guitar), Kyle Konkiel (bass), and vocalist Tommy Vext (Snot, Westfield Massacre). In 2016, the band decamped to Audio Hammer Studios with Mark Lewis (Trivium, All That Remains) to craft what would become their debut album. Issued by Eleven Seven in 2018, Disobey entered the Billboard 200 at number 23, peaking on the rock chart at number three. To promote the effort, Bad Wolves joined Five Finger Death Punch, Shinedown, and Breaking Benjamin on tour. In October 2019, the group released their sophomore full-length effort, N.A.T.I.O.N., which featured the mainstream rock hits “Killing Me Slowly” and “Sober.”
In early 2021, Bad Wolves announced that Vext had parted ways with the band. They conscripted the Acacia Strain’s Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz as his replacement, who made his studio debut on 2021′s Dear Monsters. It would be the last Bad Wolves release to feature guitarist Chris Cain, who left the fold the following year. Max Karon signed on as the new rhythm guitarist ahead of the release of 2022′s Sacred Kiss EP. The band’s fourth full-length outing, Die About It, appeared in 2023. The 13-song set paired bulldozing riffs with earworm melodies, especially on the lead singles “Bad Friend” and “Legends Never Die.” ~ James Christopher Monger