Košice thrash/hardcore/groove four-piece Wastage have released their second EP, Dreamwalkers.
The band has gone through several line-up changes since the 1980s, and its modern chapter began in 2013. Wastage also have two albums to their name: Slave To The System and Show Me Your Mask.
Dreamwalking
Wastage pick up where they left off on their previous release. They’ve eased off the tempo, and once again their heaviness caught me pleasantly off guard. A brief, dark stretch of picked guitar opens the EP, and then all hell breaks loose.
The title track, „Dreamwalkers“, brings Swedish madmen Meshuggah to mind with its sound, riffs, songwriting and atmosphere. Rhythmically, though, it’s much easier to follow, and that’s a big plus. The production is huge and dark.
„Klameš“ („You’re Lying“) is only the second song in Wastage’s catalogue with Slovak lyrics. Its riffs and electronic noises, which could easily have been pushed further, summon the ghost of Slipknot. „If you don’t think and you feel fine, you’ve got your truth – just not in my name…“ I’d say their mother tongue suits this pack well.
The pace picks up on the closing track, „Kingdom“. This is superb thrashcore groove metal from seasoned musicians. Probably the best known of them is vocalist Bohuš, who honed his style in fondly remembered outfits Stone Cold Bitch, Eternity and Slave 4 You. Then there’s drummer Miro Szeman, who has played in the renowned bands The Weed and Xibalba.
Once again, these guys have confidently taken another step toward the point where their style will defy any easy label. And that’s exactly the point: standing out.
Final Words
Wastage refuse to stand still. They keep experimenting, and that’s why they rightly rank among the best the Slovak scene has to offer.
Lineup:
- Bohuš Michalko – vocals
- Roman Madej – guitar
- Miro Labaj – bass
- Miroslav Szeman – drums
Tracklist:
- Dreamwalkers
- Klameš
- Kingdom
Release year: 2026
Label: Self-released
Hear it!
Links:
https://linktr.ee/wastageband
Rating: 5/6
