Wage War

Wage War, originally formed in 2010 under the name Empires in Ocala, Florida, has established itself as a prominent metalcore band. The initial lineup included Briton Bond on unclean vocals, Cody Quistad on rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Seth Blake on lead guitar, Jordan Pierce on bass, and David Rau on drums. Two years into their formation, in 2012, they briefly changed their name to War Within before settling on Wage War. Current members include Briton Bond on lead vocals, Seth Blake on lead guitar and backing vocals, Cody Quistad on rhythm guitar and clean vocals, Chris Gaylord on bass and backing vocals, and Stephen Kluesener on drums. The band’s consistent work led to their signing with Fearless Records in 2015, a significant step in their career.

Since signing with Fearless Records, Wage War has released five studio albums and one EP. Their debut album, “Blueprints,” was released in 2015, followed by “Deadweight” in 2017, “Pressure” in 2019, “Manic” in 2021, and “Stigma” in 2024. These releases have allowed the band to tour extensively, including appearances at Vans Warped Tour in 2016 and playing on the final touring portion of the 2018 Vans Warped Tour. They have also opened for acts such as August Burns Red, I Prevail, The Amity Affliction, and Parkway Drive, demonstrating their growth and presence within the metalcore scene.

Wage War has shown an evolution in their musical style, incorporating elements of industrial metal, djent, nu metal, electronic, pop, and hip hop into their core metalcore sound. This development was evident in their most recent album, “Stigma,” released in June 2024. Their commitment to creating new material was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when they actively worked on their fourth album, “Manic,” which included singles like “High Horse,” “Circle the Drain,” and “Teeth.” The band also released an acoustic album, “The Stripped Sessions,” in 2022, showcasing their versatility and willingness to explore different musical avenues.