Release date:  June 27th 2025

Formed in the summer of 2021, WANTED is a band with the distinct goal of resurrecting tradition, loud, melodic heavy metal that ruled the airwaves throughout the 1980s. The band’s main influences consist of RATT, Dokken, and Van Halen. WANTED was put together in the VERY small town of Leonard, MI (a mile east of Oxford, MI). 

Review

After their last record, I am super excited to hear what the guys have to offer this time round! First up is Armed For Action and straight away your hit with that classic hardrock/ heavy metal tone that will take you back to those glory days. Notably I think the sound of the production is killer feeling very rich and wholesome. There is certainly a warmth there, which you certainly get with that oldskool approach. Wanted present a song that is that is upbeat and alive. The gritty tones and squealing guitar riffs drive this song while thunderous bass and drives really drive everything forward. But the vocal delivery is full of passion and expressiveness. The group chants in the background that call the song title just beg to be sung and the solo just injects a ton of electricity! Most excellent!

Chained to Your Love takes a different direction to begin with as the sounds of gentle acoustics flow like a river and a crisp lush lead guitar soon joins in singing out over top! This is a thing of beauty and makes you want to close your eyes and focus in on the notes. The drums, bass and vocals join at a slow, steady pace showing some true heart and soon enough things pick up. The gradual build up with emphasis on the guitar licks lighting up and the vocals really digging in are just that goes through your body. It really feels magnificent. The solo stuff here really hits hard and to be honest I am absolutely loving it. There is so much that feels good and will leave your mind buzzing!

Cutting Edge tumbles and rumbles and we hit the ground running! This is bolt of energy with flaming rhythms, ballsy drum and bass ideas and vocals that will leave your ears smoking. Some of the licks here are sexy as hell and will crawl in to your ears and make you feel all fuzzy inside. The solo! Holy cow that thing just explodes in what sounds like a giant cave or temple. Either way Cutting edge tears up the place and is rammed full of the good stuff! If you want to burn of some energy this one is for you!

Ok, ok Feel Your Rhythm is going to get you into a dirty little swagger. This is seductive and hot with its slow trickling patterns and roaring guitars that are prowling about. The bass booms in the background while the vocal delivery is just like the first three songs, from the heart. I can imagine this being played in a huge stadium and getting everyone to take part one way or another. Singing along, throwing hands in the air, it is one of those kind of vibes. The breakdown to the bass lines and the vocal oohs and little lines are nice touch before we get another solo that glows white hot!

Knock It Down spits us some rough and powerful guitar riffs that certainly mean business! The rhythm guitar work really takes command here and i feel that is what I can mostly focus on. The subtle changes to the drum patterns make this a joy to listen to. But the huge double kick bridges and choruses are what really pack the punch here. I can safely say they will knock you down. Theres some excellent rocking moments before we are catapulted into a solo of soaring rifts that leave smoke trails in the skies! To close it finishes with another colossal chorus making this another winning song in my book!

Override keeps things moving! This is a no nonsense hard and heavy stomper with a simple yet catchy chorus that will have you singing the word “override” over and over. The track has plenty attitude and flair which is something that Wanted to do so effortless. When I think back to previous Wanted material, you can certainly see how the band have matured in their sound and have developed their writing skills. This is another great example of one of those songs. And like previous songs the short yet sweet solo will simply dazzle you. The breakdown after lets you stretch for a moment before you are plunged into another big chorus to take things out.

Power begins very chill with some loose hitting hi-hat taps and acoustics before we jump into the main body of the song. I have to say that as soon as that first riff opens things up, I feel like I am watching a classic 80’s movie. Just how its written and structured just feels so nostalgic. And even the more mellow verses where the vocals have a bit of character just make me think that this should be in the Back to the Future opening or end credits. The bridges where the stacked vocals sing out loud sound rich and powerful and the same simply goes for the chorus. This is one of those songs I know I will be playing over and over again.

Prowl Alive eases in with sparse acoustic notes that drift through the quiet, setting a moody, atmospheric tone. Slowly, guitar chords and bass join the mix, adding depth and movement without breaking the spell. The subtle intro licks have a smooth, seductive quality, making the track feel quietly alive even before the full band steps in. When the drums and vocals finally arrive, they do so with purpose not crashing in, but adding a grounded weight that helps carry the verses forward. Vocal doubling is used tastefully to give the right phrases a little extra lift, building tension without overwhelming the arrangement. As the song develops, gentle background leads emerge, layering new textures that tell their own story in the margins. The solo, when it comes, is intense but still feels like a natural extension of the build a high point rather than a detour. From start to finish, the track stays focused and steady, growing heavier and more immersive without ever losing its direction.

Take Me Away kicks off with an irresistible opening riff that instantly grabs your attention—bright, bold, and full of energy. It sets the tone for a track that’s as uplifting as it is hard-hitting. Thick, chugging rhythms, slick lead licks, and rich vocal layers combine to deliver a sound that feels like pure joy pouring through the speakers. The drums stick to a tight, steady 4/4 beat, locking everything down with a solid backbone that lets the guitars and bass shine. When the solo hits, it’s all smooth seduction—tantalising tones that draw you in and leave you wanting more. And those choruses? Unstoppable. Hooky, infectious, and impossible not to sing along with. This is the kind of song that plants itself in your head and doesn’t let go—in the best possible way. By the end, you’ll be grinning ear to ear. Guaranteed.

And so we arrive at the finale which is Wasted Heart. What a journey this album has been! Honestly, it’s a little bittersweet to reach the end, because from the very first track, this record has had me completely hooked. Like every song that came before it, Wasted Heart absolutely delivers. There’s an unstoppable energy driving this track, packed with everything that’s made the album so compelling. Slick rhythms, emotionally charged vocals, thunderous drums, and bold, thumping bass lines; it’s all here. And just when you think you’ve heard it all, the solo section explodes like a ticking time bomb. I found myself just sitting there afterward, thinking, what the hell did I just experience? That was insane. In short, Wasted Heart is a perfect closer to a phenomenal album; powerful, satisfying, and absolutely kick-ass.

Conclusion

From start to finish, this album is an absolute powerhouse. Wanted have delivered a record that feels both like a love letter to classic hard rock and heavy metal and a bold step forward in their evolution as a band. Each track brings its own flavor—whether it’s blistering solos, infectious choruses, moody builds, or emotionally resonant vocals—but together they form a cohesive and thrilling journey. The production is rich and full, capturing that old-school warmth while still sounding modern and punchy. More than anything, there’s a real passion that pulses through every song, a clear sign that the band is firing on all cylinders. Whether you’re headbanging, singing along, or simply soaking in the atmosphere, this album grabs you and doesn’t let go. A triumphant, no-skips collection that proves Wanted are not just keeping the flame alive—they’re turning it into a wildfire. Rock solid from top to bottom.

TheNwothm Score: 10/10

Links

Bandcamp: wantedbandofficial

Facebook: wantedbandofficial

Instagram: wantedbandofficial

Website: www.wantedbandofficial.com

Label: Eonian Records