Wailin Storms
Originally formed in the unrelenting heat of Corpus Christi, Texas, Wailin Storms migrated east and ended up in Durham, North Carolina. Their sound is a mix of doom-punk and swampy rock, as elements of their prior and current surroundings culminate into a Flannery O'Connor type of brew. Stamped with eerily dark and ominous vocal elements reminiscent of blues crooners like Howlin’ Wolf with emotive nods to Destruction Unit, Bauhaus, and Jesus Lizard.
Since stepping out from their grave deep within the American South, Wailin Storms have caught fire with noisy and bluesy explosions of gothic rock. Their fifth album and first for Season of Mist fans their flame with reckless abandon. While surrounded by darkness from the outside world, The Arsonist burns with all of our heart’s desires. Recorded by Matt Talbott of Hum in full analog, The Arsonist rekindles the band’s roots in raw-to-the-bone blues punk. Opener “Dead End” takes a Lynchian turn when its death rattle leads into a waking nightmare. The album is inflamed by real life anxieties, but even amidst its most chilling moments, Wailin Storms are fueled by the need for connection. “Like the wind controls the sea”, Storms croons during the slow-burning title track. “You always had a hold on me”. As the band are slowly engulfed by the fiery pangs of love, they howl like the hounds of hell.