SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: STABBING WESTWARD – WITHER REWIRED

STABBING WESTWARD
WITHER REWIRED
COP INTERNATIONAL

Influential industrial rockers Stabbing Westward released their gold-certified sophomore album, Wither Blister Burn + Peel, 30 years ago. Founding members Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus have returned to the album that helped define the band’s signature sound, giving it a modern twist with the release of Wither ReWired.

Fans might quickly dismiss Wither ReWired as nothing more than a hastily thrown-together remix album with little effort put into it without even giving it a listen. But let me assure you: it is anything but that.

Within 10 seconds of the opening track on the new recording, “I Don’t Believe,” I was hit with a wave of nostalgia and excitement.

I found myself singing along to the songs again, unlocking core memories of listening to Wither Blister Burn + Peel on cassette so many years ago. Fans will likely discover that they still remember the lyrics to the dark, emotional songs they connected with all those years ago. “Falls Apart” is still angry, “Why” is still dark, and “Sleep” is still intense.

The core intensity of the lyrics and melodies on every track is still there, wrapped in a new sonic atmosphere that creates an entirely different experience of the album. Wither ReWired strikes the perfect balance between preserving the essence of the original songs and adding modern elements to their sound. The trepidation some fans may feel—and the “don’t fix it if it isn’t broken” mentality—is completely understandable. But this isn’t an attempt to fix the original album; it’s a rebuilt and modernized interpretation of it.

Honestly, I’ve never experienced such giddy anticipation for the next track on a first listen to an album as I have with Wither ReWired.

“Crushing Me” has a very unique intro and is driven by a powerful beat. “Shame” and “Inside You” aren’t quite as vocally intense, but that hardly tarnishes my love for the album.

The lyrics are still relevant, and the music remains intense and emotional. This is easily my new favourite album in Stabbing Westward’s discography.

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