Wretched - Decay (Official Video)

WRETCHED’s fifth album, Decay, released October 17 on Metal Blade Records, is a conceptual masterpiece that blends haunting melodies with progressive complexity. The record, a prequel to 2010’s Beyond The Gate, explores existential themes, D&D‑inspired mythology, and personal loss. The band’s boundary‑pushing lineup delivers a pristine yet raw sound, with guitarist Steven Funderburk’s intricate playing, bassist Andrew Grevey’s potent musicality, and vocalist Billy Powers’ raw, powerful performance. Drummer Marshall Wieczorek notes the album’s dynamic nature, featuring groove, heaviness, speed, melodicism, prettiness, and sadness. Decay is a 100% concept album that continues the story of the talisman from Beyond The Gate, with the title track introducing Malus, the main character, and his companion Elturiel. The song’s themes of decay, loss, and the struggle for control reflect the album’s broader narrative about the decay of good intention, the loss of loved ones, and the impact of choices on the world.