[Cover photo credit to Dania Ramos]
Charlotte, North Carolina-based band Wretched have released new single “Radiance.” The track hails from their fifth full-length album, Decay, which arrives on October 17th, 2025, via Metal Blade Records.
Vocalist Billy Powers says:
‘Radiance’ is a chapter in our story in which the possessed body and mind of our main character Malus is used by the ancient Necromancer to lure his sibling into his newfound lair within Terra Mortuorum; a ‘land of the dead.’ Within the veins of this mountainous lair in which his sister Fragoré has been conjured, the attack begins and the talisman she holds in place of a heart is extracted and fused with Malus’ own.
To me, this track represents someone feeling weak and doing everything they can, good or bad, to prove to themselves that they ultimately could do whatever act is in question. Unfortunately, in this portion of the story it pertains to the ‘doing something bad’ aspect and in one’s mind, after the fact, they face the truth of what they’ve done and realize what such an action truly took away from them. What it took away from them was their soul if you will. In the end, the moral of the story is to accept yourself, keep your head, stay focused and do what you know to be right, not what is easy to let yourself do.
Adds guitarist Steven Funderburk:
‘Radiance’ is a solid head-banging ripper of a song that has heavy groove riffing as well as a very mournful yet epic melody on the back half, which is something we’re known for doing.
The title of the album, Decay, also refers to many elements of the album’s story.
Drummer Marshall Wieczorek explains:
The decay of good intention, the loss of loved ones, the influence time and choices have upon our bodies and minds and the decay of the world around us due to the choices of those with ultimate power. The music contributes to the story and helps paint an image, in the same way music and movies go together.
Decay was self-produced with engineering by drummer Marshall Wieczorek, mixed by Johann Meyer, mastered by Alan Douches, and features artwork and layout by Travis Smith (Overkill, Nevermore, Opeth etc). The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl.
