Starving Wolves, formed in 2015, are a sonic punch-in-the-gut punk outfit from Austin, Texas. Their sound takes a lot of the more traditional hardcore punk ‘sound’—pounding drums and harsh vocals—but the group somehow is able to make it catchy and fill it with memorable hooks. The band itself is an incredibly notable ‘who’s-who’ of punk, featuring members of The Casualties via members Krum Bums, and Evacuate.
Their latest release, “The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang,” is a high-octane political burn that doesn’t stop from the first track to the last. This album isn’t simply ‘just another punk album,’ where the political nature feels more like window dressing; instead, this album wants you to get angry, get active, and get organised.
The album starts with a bang on “Nothing More,” a sonic onslaught that blends Latin American musical elements with the raw intensity of punk rock. It feels like we’re being introduced to something epic, something important, and makes you take notice. David Rodriguez’s vocals tear through the air with a ferocity that mirrors the urgency of his lyrics, rallying for the oppressed with lines like “Raised in fear! Bathed in blood! Crucified, we are reborn!”
The topics covered on this album are varied, but incredibly targeted. For fans of the content of groups like Propagandhi, this is for you! “Burn the Stations” tackles police brutality head-on with some of the best lyrics I’ve heard this year. “Please Listen” really hit home for me as it’s an incredibly personal track regarding suicide. In “Mixed Blood,” Rodriguez delves into his own cultural identity, singing in both English and Spanish, weaving a narrative that connects the racism we’re seeing today to the brutal history of colonialism in the Americas.
A few other highlights from the album for me are “Tracks on the Tank,” an absolutely blistering track that turns your ears and heart into a punching bag and features an awesome guitar solo. The closer, “Wildfire,” is a really nice and melodic piece that feels like a good musical ‘comedown’ for the rest of the album. It’s got more of an anthemic feel and the slower pace really adds to it as a whole.
Of equal note is that the band does more than simply calling for change: they are active in supporting movements on the ground. Through their music, they support Indigenous youth struggling with mental health issues by funding skate parks on reservation land. The band has also raised funds for the victims of the Australian wildfires, Standing Rock water protectors, and families affected by drunk drivers. Certainly fundraising is a key element in strengthening movements, but simply by promoting these as movements to care about and attaching their own voice and image to the causes they believe in, they are highlighting the important and political nature of punk as a genre and power for change.
“The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang” isn’t just an album; it’s a musical reminder of why the work we do is so important. It’s a spark to help us when it feels like things will never change. The emotional breadth of activism requires rage, anger, and often feels hopeless, but by organising together, we can each bring a piece of ourselves in the construction of a better world. This piece helps build that soundtrack.
“The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang’ is out May 3, 2024, on Pirate Press Records. It will be made available on 12” Black vinyl, 12” Black & Gold Galaxy vinyl, and 12” Black & Bone A-side B-side vinyl with Gold Splatter. More info here.
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