EP review by Lucas Bell
The Brissy bad boys of nu-metalcore Headwreck are a band on the rise. Blending the aforementioned nu-metal and metalcore sounds together in a way I don’t think has been done before, the band has carved a crazy niche in the nostalgia of the 90s and 00s nu-metal sound, while keeping the production and sensibility of the 2010s metalcore scene alive and well. And with the release of the band’s latest EP, Attitude Adjustment, I had to give this one a spin.
The band has been on my radar since 2023 after they absolutely destroyed the opening slot for Story of the Year’s headline Knotfest show. And with support slots for bands like ERRA and Windwaker in the bag, and slots coming up with We Came As Romans, and Dayseeker, and a spot on the legendary Download Festival UK coming up, these boys are on the cusp of breaking through to that next level that I know they’re capable of.
Track Breakdowns
Filet-O-Fish – The EP opener, ‘Filet-O-Fish’, is a song that’s been floating around a hot minute. Much like a lot of the EP, it drips of 00s nu metal, and I can see why it was released as a single. The song brings a nostalgia for a sound the band grew up in, while giving it a metalcore twist. Hickman’s verse on verse two slams too. Hard shit.
LOW BLOW! – While Filet goes hard with the electronica, ‘LOW BLOW!’ definitely ramps the sound even more. The strongest part of the Headwreck sound though, is how infectious the lyrics on the verses feel. And the verses on ‘LOW BLOW!’ show just how fun this band is
Plan Z – Didn’t peg the song to start with a SpongeBob quote, but here we are. For those that may not have been super into the first two tracks, this will be the song that pulls people in. The cleans on the chorus soar, and something that I have already said, that cannot be said enough, is the verses on ‘Plan Z’ also slam. “No need to run, we’ll just drift away In ecstasy, it’ll be okay” feels fun to sing out loud, and the ADHD level change around the lyric “I know you say that I’m not your competition” scratches a good itch on my brain.
Buzzsaw – ‘Buzzsaw’ has been THE track for me for these lads. Typically a set closer, and for good reason, this track just crushes. The scratches at the start, the almost Architects vibe on the instrumental, and the cleans from Jamo Benadie on the first verse and chorus are legitimately perfect. If you’re looking for the “entry point” song, this could not be a better first song to check out.
BINGO! – Another solid tune, the wrestling references on the first verse make me so happy. Always happy to hear a Jeff Hardy name check. Funny to hear it against a Chillinit name check though. The triple threat of vocals that is Hickman, Benadie, and Paix is on full display on this tune. Probably my favorite from an instrumental perspective too.
Razor – The last of the tracks before the remixes, ‘Razor’ was probably the song that surprised me the most. I don’t know if this has been a song that’s been in the live set rotation, but it needs to be. I need the live version of the “Just give me one, one day to breathe” lyric pumped directly into my ears for the remainder of eternity, because when I hear it live, I will cry my eyes out. An absolute banger of a track to end the EP on.
Final Thoughts
Headwreck’s latest EP is a must listen. There is a sense of nostalgia I got listening to this, that immediately threw me back down a rabbit hole of music I haven’t touched in over 10 years. The triple threat of Hickman, Benadie, and Paix all on vocals is the band’s strongest asset, but that doesn’t discount the insane work also pulled by drummer Colby Horton, who puts out some chest thumping drum lines like on ‘LOW BLOW!’ and ‘Buzzsaw’, that at times make me think I’m about to feel my heart miss a beat. With these six songs locked for 2025, the future is so bright for these guys. And I can’t wait to see the ascent.
Score – 9.5/10
Standouts – Buzzsaw, Razor
