What Lies Ahead – “New Game” Review

What Lies Ahead (WLA), an alternative thrash metal band originally based out of Elgin, IL (now taking advantage of online writing and recording sessions from Dallas, TX), has released their first EP – New Game (2020). After releasing two full-length albums, The Damage Left in Your Wake (2016), and The Birth of Tragedy (2018), the band decided to take a slightly different approach this time around.

An obvious reason for this is that the groove machine on bass and vocals, Mike “Q” Quarrato, has since taken up residence in Dallas. As you might guess, distance can play a part in any band and has the potential to interfere with the band’s dynamics. With that being a real possibility, What Lies Ahead has not let it slow them down a bit. In fact, as a testament to the band’s chemistry, both musically and otherwise, it has only pushed them to grow and communicate in different ways.

One clear example is that unlike in the past, this was the first time the band was not all together in the same room during the writing and recording process. What may have before started with guitarist Jim Barrera coming up with a riff, and then the three band members (Steve Smith on drums) jamming together to flesh out the idea, has now become more of a long distance effort. More accurately, while the concept for this album (package it like a video game - one of the band’s main interests) may have started while together during last summer’s tour with Fools’ Brew, the songs on New Game began with Jim and Steve jamming on song ideas together and then sending tracks to Q to work out his parts on his own. While this may have been different from what they were used to, it may have also helped lead to another change in their approach – one that has added depth and dimension to the New Game EP.

While the idea before was to only record what they would be able to produce live, the band decided to take some liberties this time around and add guitar harmonies to their songs, and rhythm tracks under their solos, something that couldn’t be done live with just one guitar. This new approach still gives the listener the old WLA feel, but perhaps the distance between band members and the time to be able to kind of take a step back and come at it from different angles has opened up the door to a more fully developed album.

What helped make this possible was Q stepping up in another area as well. Aside from a terrific job done by Andy Kent (Atlanta Is Burning) recording and engineering the drums to add clarity and a lively snare sound, the mixing and mastering of the tracks was done by Q at his Dallas residence. During this process, the band was able to take their time, send preproduction demo tracks back and forth, and really hone in on the song before finalizing their individual parts on the master track. This allowed the time needed to add all of the different layers to each track and really put their best foot forward.

For Honor, the first track on the EP, sets the mood. The opening of the song is like the unsealing of the game, a mystery of suspense and intrigue, played through a simple riff with an ambient texture beneath. The battle drums start and a more ominous tone begins to set in. A choir comes in with a spoken word message and you know something barbarous is about to happen. This is certainly a call to battle. The song gathers like an ocean swell and builds in a crescendo into the next song, The Hallows.

The Hallows begins with a jolting blast beat, beating you upside the head and throttling you to action. There is a cool trill like riff that rips through as the vocals tell the story.

“To live is to die…I’ve always prepared for this day.”

“This battle field is my hollow ground…Oblivion awaits!”

A slamming beat gets the blood pumping and the energy of the song lifts you into a frenzy. A guitar melody leads into an extended instrumental part, another subtle change in approach and something the band has made a concerted effort to incorporate more of into their sound.

The Strain, coincidentally enough written right before the Covid-19 deal became public, has another of the band’s common themes, Resident Evil style apocalyptic doom. With machine gun vocals spitting out the verse, there is a story of a man-made T virus that has infected someone, and as the song unfolds, they progressively lose control of themselves. The song includes a heavy, extended post-chorus reminiscent of one of the band’s influences, Machine Head, and boasts a thrashy, sweeping solo before finishing with the chorus and an outro riff.

“It’s coursing through my veins. I’ll never be the same.”

If I had to choose, I would probably say, Slave to the Spectacle, is probably my favorite song. Not only does the album cover art reflect the song in the phone with the tentacles reaching out, but I think this is where you will find the best drumming on the album. Steve is an accomplished drummer with great feel and chops, but this song has some of my favorite beats and some wicked fills. There are a number of killer riffs and a big chorus, along with a bridge that builds the tension back before a final chorus and an outro section – something I appreciate about how the band finishes their songs.

For Me, It Was Tuesday, begins with a glimpse of an almost chopped up Masters era Metallica type feel (one of Jim’s biggest influences, although he’s more of a Justice guy). While it has a more stripped down feel to it, it gets your attention, starting with the gang vocals. The verse has a great riff and the vocal’s rhythmic phrasing is engaging. One thing you’ll notice about this song is the slight departure from the band’s traditional 4/4 time structure. You may also notice Q slamming it on the bass as he was playing a little harder than usual on this one. The song is gritty and is based off of a Streetfighter movie reference.

The last song on New Game is Fallacy. This song has a driving beat and a big, soaring chorus. What catches the ear most about this one however is the extended instrumental break. This section gives the band one last chance to demonstrate their musicianship – in case you hadn’t already realized the talent this three-piece unit brings to the table.

Self-deprecating in nature, but on point in their production, What Lies Ahead has brought it once again. From song writing, to performance, to engineering, New Game has further established What Lies Ahead as a force in the greater Chicagoland music scene. By the sound of things, they’re not done yet. The band has already started writing, and we can reasonably expect another release by the end of the year.