Wailin’ Storms – The Arsonist
Release Date: 10th July 2026
Label: Season of Mist
Bandcamp
Genre: Southern Gothic Rock
FFO: 16 Horsepower, Danzig, Nick Cave.
Review By: Paul Franklin
‘Give it another chance…’
Maybe it’s a grower…’
‘You never know, it might get better on repeated listens…’
These are some of the thoughts that came into my head midway through the first track on this new album by Southern Gothic Rock band Wailin’ Storms.
But, having battled through to the end, my honest conclusion is that The Arsonist is a frustrating listen that mistakes bleakness for depth. While clearly aim for a brooding mix of post-punk, sludge, and Southern gothic rock, the songs blur together into a slow, repetitive slog with few memorable hooks or standout moments.
The murky production dulls what little energy the performances have, and the gravelly vocals become monotonous over the album’s runtime. Instead of feeling emotionally intense, the record often comes across as self-serious and uninspired, never fully delivering on the atmosphere it tries so hard to create. Fans of the band’s earlier work may find something to appreciate, but for me, The Arsonist never catches fire.
(1 / 5)
