Limerick, Ireland’s War Of Attrition metal outfit return with what’s been described as “their most daring and musically ambitious release to date”, in the form a brand new single ‘The Devil You’ve Become’ – A defiant and emotionally-charged critique of religious warfare and generational suffering in the so-called holy lands, delivered with f raw intensity and unflinching honesty.
Formed in 2020 amidst the global chaos of lockdown, War Of Attrition emerged from the digital ether with a mission: To make heavy, thought-provoking music that doesn’t pull its punches. Born from the minds of guitarist Ocean McCormack and vocalist Nathan Price, the band quickly evolved into a powerhouse five-piece with the addition of punk-rooted bassist Keith ‘RC’ McNamara, seasoned drummer Damian ‘Shapes’ Smith, and more recently, death metal shredder Andrew Cooke, who joined in 2024.
On ‘The Devil You’ve Become’, War Of Attrition pull no punches. Drawing parallels between historical and contemporary atrocities, the track is a searing indictment of religious dogma, genocide, and the devastating consequences of unchecked power. The band offer an unflinching perspective. one rooted in their own Irish identity and deep empathy for the oppressed, standing firmly in solidarity with Palestine and all those suffering under the weight of colonialism and military aggression.
Musically, the single marks a bold evolution in the band’s sound. Merging melodic sensibilities with their signature aggression, ‘The Devil You’ve Become’ sees Nathan Price blending haunting clean vocals with visceral death metal gutturals, while Ocean’s black metal-tinged backing screams add a feral edge. The result is an electrifying call-and-response that culminates in a climactic final chorus.
Ocean’s guitar work, influenced by Irish legends like Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore, channels a bluesy, emotionally-resonant solo rather than high-speed theatrics, a moment of soulful clarity in the storm. New guitarist Andrew Cooke brings depth and muscle to the track, reinforcing its weight with intricate harmonies and thunderous rhythm lines. Meanwhile, Shapes’ cinematic drumming, complete with marching snares and booming toms, adds a militaristic tension, underscoring the song’s thematic narrative. Keith RC’s grounded, driving bass lines provide the crucial backbone, locking the whole composition together.
Recorded across multiple studios, including The Learning Hub in Limerick, Rekondra Studios, and Ocean’s own Godless Inc, the band intentionally opted for a raw, unpolished feel. Drums and core guitar tracks were laid down live and free of a metronome to retain the natural push and pull of human performance. The result is a track that breathes with organic power, underpinned by the timeless crunch of a 5150/808 guitar tone combo, and mastered by the esteemed Richard Dawling at Wav Mastering Studios.
This release is more than just a new single, it’s a statement of intent. With ‘The Devil You’ve Become’, War Of Attrition is doubling down on their commitment to speak truth to power and create music that resonates beyond the stage. Their debut full-length album in the works and slated for release in Autumn 2025.
You can listen to ‘The Devil You’ve Become’ now on all major streaming platforms and check out the video here at RAMzine.
