Preorders are up now for Wren‘s debut album, Auburn Rule, which is out July 14 via Holy Roar Records. How’s that old song go? To everything, churn, churn churn? Something like that. The post-sludging UK four-piece seem to have taken that ethic to heart either way, if “The Herd” is anything to go by. It’s the first audio to be made public from Auburn Rule, which follows Wren‘s 2016 EP, Host (review here), a 2015 split with Irk (review here) and their 2014 self-titled debut EP (review here), and it would seem to be the next logical step forward in their sonic development, which has proven equal parts menacingly heavy and markedly progressive.

Like the song itself, the video for “The Herd” wants little for atmosphere. In fact, that’s kind of the whole thing. Black and white nature shots, hooded figure, dark grayscale kaleidoscopic imagery — all of it is appropriately suited to Wren‘s aggressive but spacious aural crux. The band has pointedly evolved with each new offering, and “The Herd” seems to take its cues from where they were with Host in its cerebral flow from one movement to the next as Wren evoke bleak pastures akin to the clip’s visual depictions. Hardcore roots shine through in starts and stops and the buried-beneath-tone shouted vocals, lending even more bite strength to the track’s sharpened-tooth assault.

Auburn Rule is out in less than a month, and I have my doubts “The Herd” will be the last sneak preview given to listeners before it arrives, so keep an eye out. I’ve been looking forward to finding out what Wren can do in the context of a first full-length since I heard the EP three years ago, and I continue to be excited at the prospect after getting to know this track better. I’ll hope to have more to come soon.

Till then, dig in and enjoy:

Wren, “The Herd” official video

Taken from their debut album ‘Auburn Rule’.

Out 14.07.17 on Holy Roar Records, preorder now: www.holyroarrecords.com

Directed by: www.gardenback.com

Following on from the release of their ‘Host’ EP last year, London-based progressive sludge/noise-rock four-piece Wren, have announced details of their new album ‘Auburn Rule’, which is due out 14th July 2017 via Holy Roar Records.

To coincide with the release of ‘Auburn Rule’ Wren have also announced a short UK release tour with Fvnerals, they will be playing the following dates:

30th June – London – Birthdays
1st July – Birmingham – The Flapper
2nd July – Bristol – The Cube
3rd July – Cardiff – The Full Moon
4th July – Brighton – The Prince Albert

Wren on Thee Facebooks

Wren on Bandcamp

Wren on Twitter

Wren website

Holy Roar Records website

Whether or not you heard it, Wren‘s 2016 EP, Host (review here) was one of last year’s best short releases. Their second four-songer behind a 2014 self-titled (review here) that was likewise moody and brutal, the latter release pushed into growlier, harsher terrain, more metal on the whole as well as basking in the post-hardcore-meets-sludge vibes of its predecessor. What their sonic development might hold for Auburn Rule, I don’t know, but the safe bet is it’s going to be heavy in some ridiculous proportion. What will serve as their first full-length will be out July 14 following a quick UK tour with Fvnerals and will be released by Holy Roar Records, which if you’ll recall also put out Host. If it ain’t broke.

These cats have done nothing but impress since they got going, and my big question going into the record is how much of their focus will be on atmosphere vs. pummel, since that seems to be the dichotomy at work in their aesthetic thus far. Where that balance will come down this time out as they take this crucial step in putting out their first album.

Hopefully I’ll have more to come on this one before it’s released. Here’s info from the PR wire in the interim:

Wren announce new album ‘Auburn Rule’ and UK tour.

AUBURN RULE | 14.07.17

Following on from the release of their ‘Host’ EP last year, London-based progressive sludge/noise-rock four-piece Wren, have announced details of their new album ‘Auburn Rule’, which is due out 14th July 2017 via Holy Roar Records.

The band have released the artwork for the new album (above) and have detailed the track listing as below:

1. In Great Yield
2. Scour The Grassland
3. The Herd
4. Traverse
5. Dwellers Of The Sepulchre

To coincide with the release of ‘Auburn Rule’ Wren have also announced a short UK release tour with Fvnerals, they will be playing the following dates:

30th June – London – Birthdays
1st July – Birmingham – The Flapper
2nd July – Bristol – The Cube
3rd July – Cardiff – The Full Moon
4th July – Brighton – The Prince Albert

https://www.facebook.com/Disciplesofwren/
https://disciplesofwren.bandcamp.com/
http://twitter.com/disciplesofwren
http://www.disciplesofwren.com/
http://www.holyroarrecords.com/

Wren, Host (2016)