Wargasm
WARGASM performing in London, 2022
Background information
OriginLondon, UK
Genres
Years active2018–present
Labels
Members
  • Milkie Way
  • Sam Matlock
Websitewww.wargasm.online

Wargasm (stylised as π–π€π‘π†π€π’πŒ) are a British electronic rock duo from London. Formed in 2018 by musician Sam Matlock and model Milkie Way, they have released 11 solo singles including "Spit." which has gained 5 million streams on Spotify, and over 400 thousand views on YouTube. Alternative Press listed them as a defining part of the 2020s wave of nu metal,[1] and NME listed them as one of 2021's essential emerging artists.[2] The pair also took home "Best UK Breakthrough" at The Heavy Music Awards in 2021[3] and have received widespread acclaim from Kerrang![4] and Revolver.[5] Their debut EP, Explicit: The Mixxxtape, was released on 9 September 2022.

History

Sam Matlock and Milkie Way first met when Way was working as a concert photographer, and photographed Matlock's previous band Dead!. After the 2018 disbandment of Dead!, Matlock approached Way, who was working as a model in Tokyo at the time, to begin a new project. This led to the formation of Wargasm, taking their name from the L7 song of the same name. At first the pair began writing pop punk songs, however by the time their debut single "Post Modern Rhapsody" was released on 22 August 2019, they had departed from this sound.[6] They played their first live performance the following week.[7] On 6 November, they released the single "God Of War".[8]

On 20 February 2020, they released the single "Gold Gold Gold".[9] The following day, they released a cover of "Lapdance" by N.E.R.D.[10] On 5 June they released the single "Spit".[11] On 3 September it was announced that their song "God of War" would be used as the theme for NXT UK.[12] On 26 September, they released the single "Backyard Bastards",[13] a music video was then released for the song on 5 October.[14] On 14 November, they released the single "Rage All Over".[15] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Way took charge as fellow musician Yungblud's guitarist, filling in for Adam Warrington.[16]

On 23 April 2021, they released the single "Your Patron Saints".[17] On 14 June, they released the single "Pyro Pyro".[18] On 19 June, they performed at the 2021 Download Festival Pilot.[19] On 20 August, they released the single "Salma Hayek".[20] On the same day, Kerrang! released a video of them performing for their K! Pit live series.[21] On 27 August, they performed at the 2021 Reading and Leeds Festivals on Friday and Saturday respectively.[22] On 30 August, they performed at ALT+LDN festival.[23] They were featured on Death Blooms' single "Shut Up", which was released on 31 August 2021.[24] Their debut UK headline tour will take place between 17 and 24 November 2021.[25] Following the band's performance at Scala on 5 November 2021, band member Sam Matlock was allegedly assaulted by security staff. A complaint was filed with Security Industry Authority. The band has indicated they no longer consider the club a safe venue, especially for women.[26]

On 7 January 2022, Wargasm announced they will be supporting fellow UK band Neck Deep’s 2022 UK tour. On 16 March 2022, Wargasm announced they will be supporting Limp Bizkit on their North American "Still Sucks" tour.[27] On 6 May 2022, Matlock and Way announced that Wargasm had signed to slowplay and Republic Records, and would be releasing their debut full-length release - Explicit: The Mixxxtape - that coming summer. The lead single, "D.R.I.L.D.O.", was initially announced for Friday, 13 May, but was pushed back a week for unknown reasons.[28] This full-length release then enabled them to go on tour across the United Kingdom and Ireland playing shows in cities such as London, Belfast and Dublin, most notably their show at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, which is their biggest headline show to date.[29] These shows then contributed to the music video for their song "Super Fiend" released on 12 December 2022, using shots of the crowd and live performances on stage for scenes in the video.[30][31] On Christmas Day 2022, the duo released a cover of the Girls Aloud song "Something Kinda Oooh" for Amazon Music.[32]

Musical style and influences

Critics have categorised the band's music as electro-punk,[33][18][21] digital hardcore,[34] post-hardcore[35] and nu metal.[25][36] Their music makes use of elements of riot grrrl,[36][37] heavy metal, dubstep,[38] screamo,[39] pop, electronic and hip hop music.[40] NME writer Ali Shutler described their music as "cyberpunk".[41] Their music often makes use of screamed vocals, electronic and psychedelic sounds, aggressive guitar riffs,[42] and distorted bass.[43] Songs often feature Matlock and Way trading off vocals duties mid verse.[44]

Alternative Press writer GiedrΔ— MatulaitytΔ— described their music as an "eclectic blend of punk/riot grrrl attitude, hardcore energy, grunge pessimism and murky nΓΌ-metal groove",[45] and Ali Cooper described them as "If you take all the limitless energy of a pulsing nightclub and throw it into the pit".[1] Metal Hammer writer Yasmine Summan described it as "catchy nu metal riffs, throw in a bit of riot grrrl flare and wash it down with a healthy dosage of post-apocalyptic angst"[46] and Jack Saunders described them as "the Prodigy and Slipknot at the same time."[35]

They have cited influences including L7, Limp Bizkit,[6] Loathe, SHVPES and Poppy.[47] When asked on an interview with Fred Perry clothing what songs' lyrics inspired them, Matlock answered "Custer" by Slipknot and Way answered "Smack A B*tch - Remix" by Rico Nasty.[48]

Members

  • Milkie Way – vocals, bass, guitar, production
  • Sam Matlock – vocals, guitar, production

Live members

Current

  • Adam Breeze – drums (2019, 2021–present)[49]
  • Adam Crilly - DJ, electronics, vocals (2022-present)

Former

  • Ryan Cornall – drums (2019–2021)[50]
  • Edison Hunter – guitar (2019–2023)[51]

Discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

  • Explicit: The Mixxxtape (2022)

Singles

Title Year Album / EP
"Post Modern Rhapsody" 2019 Non-album singles
"God of War"
"Gold Gold Gold" 2020
"Lapdance"
"Spit"
"Backyard Bastards"
"Rage All Over"
"Your Patron Saints" 2021
"Pyro Pyro" Explicit: The Mixxxtape
"Salma Hayek"
"Scratchcard Feeling" Non-album single
"D.R.I.L.D.O" 2022 Explicit: The Mixxxtape
"Fukstar"
"The Void Stares Back"
(with Enter Shikari)		 Non-album single
"Do It So Good" 2023 Venom
"Bang Ya Head"
(featuring Fred Durst)
"Modern Love"
Year Title
2020 "Generation Undead"
(BaseFace featuring Wargasm)
2021 "Spoiler (Recoil)"
(Hyper featuring Wargasm)
"The Cycle"
(Death Tour featuring Wargasm)
"Shut Up"
(Death Blooms featuring Wargasm)
2022 "The Void Stares Back"
(Enter Shikari and Wargasm)

Accolades

Nominated work Year Award Result
Wargasm 2021 Heavy Music Awards – Best UK Breakthrough Band[52] Won

References

  1. 1 2 Cooper, Ali (21 July 2021). "20 ARTISTS WHO DEFINED THE SOUND OF NÜ METAL FROM PAST TO PRESENT". Alternative Press. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  2. ↑ "The NME 100: Essential emerging artists for 2021". NME. 4 January 2021. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  3. ↑ Richards, Will (3 September 2021). "Bring Me The Horizon and Nova Twins among the winners at 2021 Heavy Music Awards". NME. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "WARGASM win the first-ever New Noise Award at the Kerrang! Awards 2022". Kerrang!. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "Hear Wargasm's New Slipknot-Inspired Rager "Super Fiend"". Revolver. 9 September 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 MacMillan, Jamie. "Wargasm: "Everyone takes themselves so seriously in the rock scene"". Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  7. ↑ Shutler, Ali (16 December 2020). "Wargasm live in London: duo's bruising live return is a reminder why bedroom metal will never thrive". NME. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  8. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm release new song, 'God Of War'!". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  9. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm release new song, 'Gold Gold Gold'!". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  10. ↑ Redrup, Zach. "NEWS: Wargasm release cover of 'Lapdance' by N*E*R*D!". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  11. ↑ "Wargasm lament "the disgusting state of the world" with their new single, 'Spit.'". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  12. ↑ Alderslade, Merlin (3 September 2020). "UK metallers Wargasm are soundtracking the return of NXT UK". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  13. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm drop new single, 'Backyard Bastards'!". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm release bloody video for 'Backyard Bastards'!". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  15. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm drop new single, 'Rage All Over'!". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  16. ↑ Harrison, Dominic. "YUNGBLUD - superdeadfriends (Vevo Studio Performance)". YouTube. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  17. ↑ ROGERS, JACK. "WARGASM HAVE RELEASED A DIZZYINGLY PUNISHING NEW TRACK". RockSound. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  18. 1 2 "Watch Wargasm blast back with explosive new single Pyro Pyro". Metal Hammer. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  19. ↑ Carter, Emily. "Wargasm drop explosive new single PYRO PYRO ahead of this weekend's Download Pilot". Kerrang!. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  20. ↑ Stickler, Jon. "Wargasm Share New Song Salma Hayek". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  21. 1 2 Alexander, Phil. "Wargasm hit The K! Pit: "It feels so good to be back!"". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  22. ↑ Richards, Will (24 August 2021). "Check out the stage times for Reading & Leeds 2021". NME. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  23. ↑ "In photos: Architects, Nova Twins and more rock ALT+LDN". Kerrang!. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  24. ↑ Carter, Emily. "Death Blooms unleash new version of Shut Up featuring Wargasm". Kerrang!. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  25. 1 2 Skinner, Tom (3 August 2021). "Wargasm announce first-ever UK headline tour for 2021". NME. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  26. ↑ "Wargasm singer's head 'held down backstage toilet by bouncers'". BBC News. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  27. ↑ Mier, TomΓ‘s (16 March 2022). "Limp Bizkit Sent Us a Video Announcing Their Tour and We Can't Share It". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  28. ↑ "WARGASM announce Explicit: The Mixxxtape, first single to drop this…".
  29. ↑ "O2 Forum Kentish Town talk about the WARGASM show". Twitter. 28 October 2022.
  30. ↑ "π–π€π‘π†π€π’πŒ - "Super Fiend" (Official Music Video)". YouTube. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  31. ↑ "SEE WARGASM RAGE IN NEW "SUPER FIEND" MUSIC VIDEO". Revolver. 12 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  32. ↑ Ingle, Alex (26 December 2022). "Wargasm have shared a cover of Girls Aloud's 'Something Kinda Ooooh'". DORK. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  33. ↑ Stickler, Jon. "Wargasm Share New Song Salma Hayek". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  34. ↑ Leivers, Dannii. ""Someone said that they were in a Portaloo while we were on stage, and the bass rumbled some excrement out of them." Getting to know Wargasm, the genre-splicing, Fred Durst-approved duo making major waves in modern metal". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  35. 1 2 Saunders, Jack. "Now Hear This: Jack Saunders on the best nu-metal, post-hardcore and trip-hop". Kerrang!. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  36. 1 2 MADDEN, EMMA (September 2020). "WARGASM: NU-METAL-LOVING, RIOT-GRRRL-SPIRITED U.K. DUO ARE "FIRE AND FIRE"". Revolver. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  37. ↑ Mills, Matt (15 December 2020). "10 new bands you need to watch out for in 2021". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  38. ↑ Stock, Olivia (5 September 2021). "WARGASM: "We're like fire meets acetone peroxide"". Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  39. ↑ Williams, Kyann-Sian (September 2021). "ALT+LDN 2021 review: a solid crossover concept, messily executed". NME. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  40. ↑ "5 ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW: JUNE 2020". Revolver. 23 June 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  41. ↑ Shutler, Ali (21 June 2021). "Download Festival 2021 review: the new generation upend legacy focused rock-fest". NME. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  42. ↑ "UK Bands Are Keeping Heavy, Aggressive Rock Music Alive And Interesting". Clash. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  43. ↑ Rogers, Jack. "WARGASM HAVE RELEASED A COMBUSTIBLE NEW TRACK 'PYRO PYRO'". RockSound. Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  44. ↑ Redrup, Zach. "LIVE REVIEW: Download Pilot – Saturday (19/06/2021)". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  45. ↑ Matulaityte, Giedre (6 January 2021). "10 BANDS WHO ARE CRUSHING ALL THE STEREOTYPES YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT NÜ METAL". Alternative Press. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  46. ↑ Summan, Yasmine (28 October 2020). "Nihilistic nu metal with electro-punk attitude? Wargasm have got it covered". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  47. ↑ Richardson, Jake. "Why Wargasm Are Making Angry Songs For Sad People". Kerrang!. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  48. ↑ "WARGASM Musicians β€” London". Retrieved 9 September 2021.
  49. ↑ "Adam Breeze - Playing with Wargasm (London Scala 2019)". StarNow. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  50. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm release bloody video for 'Backyard Bastards'!". Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  51. ↑ Hofer, Tess. "NEWS: Wargasm release bloody video for 'Backyard Bastards'!". Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  52. ↑ Richards, Will (3 September 2021). "Bring Me The Horizon and Nova Twins among the winners at 2021 Heavy Music Awards". NME. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
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