Review of Walls Within’s EP ‘WWI’

Formed in late 2010, Albuquerque’s Walls Within has been refining their distinct brand of progressive metal and hard rock. This work has paid off, demonstrated by the band’s new EP, titled WWI.

The opening song, “Faceless,” flawlessly melds the band’s progressive elements with softer facets of hard rock. Chad Carpenter’s vocals are a particular standout, as the instrumentation is designed to augment his performance. Particularly effective is the band’s accessibility despite some of the intricate instrumental passages. Not many bands can pull this off, instead sounding as if they are just noodling to impress. Not so with this track, which draws the listener in and simply refuses to let go.

“My Virtue” brings with it a harder vibe, with the rhythm section of bassist Chris Mattson and percussionist Lonnie McKnight setting down a driving and chugging structure while guitarist Nathan Joseph brings about some solid rhythms and straightforward solos. “Without” slows things way down at the beginning, once again focusing on Carpenter’s vocals, which are complemented by the background vocals of Mattson and Joseph. Just when you’re lulled into the performance, the band fires on all cylinders, setting down some nice pop-driven rhythms that are stopped to focus instead on some solid acoustic work complemented by effective percussion. The ending tears it up with some solid metal, with progressive flairs a given, of course.

Walls Within "Down and Broken"Walls Within "Down and Broken"

The EP’s closer, “Vows,” is a chugging juggernaut, tapping into the outer remnants of hardcore but refining and modifying them with the likes of grunge, hard rock, and progressive rock (and even a little Disturbed, too) to emerge with what is quickly becoming the signature sound of Walls Within.

Make no mistake, as a collective WWI definitely has its own distinct vibe, one that belongs to Walls Within. This is impressive, given that the band has been around less than three years. Fans of hard rock, progressive rock, progressive metal, and just good music should pick up WWI. You will not be disappointed.