WOLVES AT BAY is a band that methodically delivers a furious mix of frustration, anxiety, and depression. This is in full effect throughout the band’s latest effort, a 6 song EP called I Was The Devil Once. In a devastating track called Know Why, Hayes reflects on his self-doubt. He sings, “sifting through the things that I’ve done, and I think I know why nothing can stay right.” Through his exploration of these themes, vocalist William Hayes hopes to provide an outlet for the mental anguish we all go through. This is one of the most successful elements of I Was The Devil Once. Much of it carefully blurs the lines between hopelessness and hope, and leaves us to our own devices to decide what to take from its morose lyrics.

WOLVES AT BAY comes from Hamden, CT. The band is made up of William Hayes on vocals and guitar, Kevin Rodriguez on guitar, and Matt Smith on bass. The band cites SMALL BROWN BIKE and THURSDAY as influences, and it certainly shows in their music. There are also elements of BRAND NEW and late-era CRIME IN STEREO, as well as components of gruffer, more aggressive acts like POLAR BEAR CLUB and HOT WATER MUSIC. Wolves At Bay’s effective, tasteful take on all these different sounds results in a unique take on the post-hardcore and emo genres.

Over the past few years, the band has been incredibly prolific. In 2011, they released Only A Mirror and The Night A Forest Grew EP. They then wrote and recorded I Was The Devil Once in late 2012. The band plans to tour the country on this upcoming release. Given the strength of this latest batch of songs, it’s safe to say they have nothing but growth ahead of them.

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