Bad Wolves: The Modern Metal Supergroup

Bad Wolves is an American heavy metal band formed in 2017, notable for its assembly of seasoned musicians from established acts within the metal scene. The group gained immediate and massive commercial attention with their 2018 cover of The Cranberries' "Zombie," which became a viral rock radio hit.

Early Career

Bad Wolves was founded in Los Angeles by former Devildriver and Divine Heresy guitarist Doc Coyle and ex-Divine Heresy drummer John Boecklin. The lineup was quickly filled out with vocalist Tommy Vext (formerly of Snot and Westfield Massacre), guitarist Chris Cain (of Bury Your Dead), and bassist Kyle Konkiel (who had played with In This Moment and Scar the Martyr). This formation as a "supergroup" of sorts generated significant buzz in the modern metal community even before any music was released, based on the members' collective pedigrees.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough was sudden and monumental, arriving with their very first single. Their cover of "Zombie," released in January 2018, was intended as a tribute to The Cranberries' singer Dolores O'Riordan, who had tragically passed away the day before she was scheduled to record vocals for the track. The song resonated powerfully, topping the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart and achieving multi-platinum certification in the United States. This success propelled their debut album, Disobey, which was released later that same year on Eleven Seven Music and debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Key tracks

Zombie - The band's chart-topping cover that served as their explosive introduction and a poignant tribute, defining their early commercial peak.

Remember When - A track from their debut album that showcases their blend of melodic hooks and heavy, groove-oriented riffs.

I'll Be There - A song highlighting the band's ability to craft anthemic modern metal with a strong melodic core.

If Tomorrow Never Comes - A single that demonstrates the band's heavier, more aggressive side within their hard rock framework.

Following their initial success, Bad Wolves experienced a significant lineup change in early 2021 when vocalist Tommy Vext departed from the band. He was replaced by Daniel "DL" Laskiewicz, the former vocalist and guitarist of The Acacia Strain. This new chapter began with the 2021 album Dear Monsters, which continued the band's tradition of crafting heavy yet accessible modern metal. Their sound, particularly in this new era, fits squarely within the active rock and modern metal genres, balancing melodic singing with aggressive instrumentation.