Wanted are a band from Detroit, a city with a rich musical heritage, and Cutting Edge is, I think, their second album. Apologies to the band if I have got that wrong. Their photos and publicity shots suggest their influences are very much rooted in ’80s Metal, and that’s fine by me. Because while we might not actually live in the past, by Spandex, I sure as hell love visiting there. So, yeah, grab a hold of that brightly coloured super-strat, book yourself in for a perm, and let’s hear what Wanted have got to offer.
Wanted – Cutting Edge
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Mark Rotherham
Cutting Edge kicks off with the title track, a fast, riff-heavy opener. The guitar is soon followed by high-pitched vocals. It is a solid opening track, and sure, nothing you have not heard before, but I strongly suspect that this band would really rip it up live. A really, really good guitar solo, and perhaps the vocals are a little under-mixed, and that’s a shame, because the singer, Sterling Primeau, has a great voice.
Next up is Override, which has a slow, almost Sabbath-like intro, soon rising in pitch. It has got a nice, chugging rhythm, and like many songs here, is chock-full of pseudo-streetwise lyrics that will take you forty years back in time, in a flash.
Shred-meister guitar work is a nice added touch. It is catchy, and you could listen to this song quite a few times and not mind, making it kind of a guilty Metal pleasure.
The third track is Power, announcing its arrival with an interesting arpeggio-type beginning that soon gives way to characteristic riffing, backed up with tight drumming. Much like the preceding track, this is a good, solid, catchy tune.
The lyrics themselves are slightly pedestrian, but that is all part of where Wanted are coming from, and to their credit, they make it work. But there is no denying their musicianship, and you will be tapping your feet to this song all the way to midnight and beyond.
Things change slightly with Wasted Heart, a slightly softer, more radio-friendly track, and while the lyrics are marginally more vulnerable, there is no change in the short, fiery riffs and up-tempo playing.
It is worth saying at this point that the promo pack that was sent to me came with the CD booklet and lyrics, so I really got into the role of ’80s Metal fan and followed every verse, word for word.
An interesting bit of trivia that I have not seen before is Wanted’s use of a term called pre-chorus. It is a nice bit of originality, and well worth taking on board for any pub quizzers out there.
There is simply no way that an album so steeped in ’80s influences would ever not have a ballad in its listings, and here we are with Chained To Your Love. For me, I have to say that with very few exceptions, I was never really bitten by the ballad bug, but credit where it’s due, this one is an absolute doozy, and no one is more surprised at this accolade than I.
The song is heartfelt, tragic, and strikes just the right tone between hapless victim and no blame on either side. And for the real connoisseurs of the era, the song ends on a gradual fade-out. When was the last time you heard that?
Then, though, normal service is totally resumed, dude, with Armed For Action. Released as a single, whether it’s the lyrics or the title, I am not sure, but I’m instantly reminded of Bonfire’s Ready 4 Reaction.
This song, though, is rather heavier, but it still has the same driving intensity. And at less than three minutes long, it is short and to the point.
Take Me Away is a basic, straight between-the-eyes Metal song about, well, temptation. It is very clear that there is still room for growth with Wanted, but when it comes to the riffs, they are so already there.
Tempo changes are afoot with Feel Your Rhythm, a song that takes time to build, and that is not a bad thing. The riffing and rhythm section of this band are so together. Here is a band that clearly works well as a unit.
Into the album’s home straight comes Knock It Down, with riffs, drums and solos that are absolutely on point. Lyrically, like much of the album, we are in an incongruous Twisted Sister/Vixen kind of mix. Taken as a whole, though, that’s not too much of a thing, and this song in particular is no different from the kind of uplifting, motivating themes that many Metal bands have cut their teeth on.
And by the time the last song, Prowl Alive, comes along, you think you have got Wanted all figured out. But wait a second, here’s a slow-burning song, and it sounds really, really good. It is steady, chugging, chest-beating Metal in Warlock and Saxon territory.
I am not entirely sure what the prowl is, but definitely keep it alive!
In short, Cutting Edge is a good album, full of powerful, catchy riffs and really, really good musicianship. That said, it is lacking that extra spark to make it truly great. But that is okay, because being a Metal band is not a sprint, it’s a lifelong marathon, and I’ll be watching Wanted’s progress with interest.
Right now, I would view Cutting Edge as similar to Nickelback’s The State prior to Silver Side Up. It is not quite their breakthrough album, but there is plenty of potential here for their next one to become so.
Live, though, I suspect they would absolutely knock your socks off.
Cutting Edge is out now via U.S. hard rock label Eonian Records, and is now available on CD & Limited-Edition Green Vinyl. Wanteds promise a regional U.S. tour is in the works for late 2025, with more music to follow.
