It Calls Me by Name

It Calls Me by Name
EP by
Wage War
ReleasedApril 17, 2026 (2026-04-17)
GenreMetalcore
Length15:45
LabelFearless
Producers
Wage War chronology
Stigma
(2024)		 It Calls Me by Name
(2026)
Singles from It Calls Me by Name
  1. "Song of the Swamp"
    Released: February 24, 2026[1]
  2. "Blindfold"
    Released: April 17, 2026[2]

It Calls Me by Name (stylized in all caps) is the second extended play (EP) by the American metalcore band Wage War. It was released on April 17, 2026, through Fearless Records, and was produced by Cody Quistad and Drew Fulk.

Background and release

On February 24, 2026, the band released the single "Song of the Swamp", alongside its music video directed by Errick Easterday.[1][3] The music video depicts the band performing on a dock in a boggy swamp environment, highlighting the track's theme around the band's Floridian roots.[4] Alongside the single's release, the band also announced they would be released an EP, entitled It Calls Me by Name, taken from a lyric within the single, on April 17 through Fearless Records, ahead of their touring dates in the US starting April 28 with Nevertel and Orthodox.[1][5] Upon the EP's release on April 17, "Blindfold" was also released as a single, also accompanied by a music video by Easterday.[2][6]

Composition

The EP has been described as metalcore,[7][8][9] with elements of nu-metal,[8] and djent.[8]

Described by the band as "five tracks shaped by Florida, the swamp, and the relentless aggression of nature," the EP is themed around the band's origins in Florida, with references to swamps and alligators.[8] Reviewers have noted on the EP's swamp-like, "earthy," "primal," and "savage" ambiance and character, and the use of "reptilian soundbites."[8][9][10][11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Boolin Tunes7/10[9]
Distorted Sound9/10[7]
Noizze7/10[12]
Out of Rage8/10[13]
Wall of Sound8.5/10[8]

It Calls Me by Name was well received by critics.

Writing for Distorted Sound magazine, Ed Walton praised the EP, calling it some of the best music in metalcore in 2026 and "a bruising and uncompromising work that leaves no prisoners as it takes your eardrums to the limit."[7] Kayla Hamilton of Wall of Sound called the EP a "very solid release", praising the band's use of Florida a theme.[8] Téa Kelly of Boolin Tunes also commented on the theme, noting "an interesting level of character, creating an unusual backdrop accompanied by reptilian soundbites."[9] Hayley Nicole of Noizze said the EP was "a way of delivering the band's roots in audible form, honing in on their original sound."[12] Out of Rage's Theviya Kanrunaharan praised the EP's ambiance and the band for refining their skills.[13]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Cory Quistad with additional writers where noted.

It Calls Me by Name EP track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Song of the Swamp"
  • Chris Gaylord
  • Seth Blake
3:18
2."4×4"
2:43
3."Blindfold" 3:13
4."Karma"
  • Michael Whitworth
  • Riley Thomas
3:33
5."Purify"
  • Gaylord
  • Blake
2:56
Total length:15:45

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal.[14]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Garner, Emily (February 25, 2026). "Wage War announce new EP, It Calls Me By Name: "It's meant to live in its own world"". Kerrang!. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Listen to the World Premiere of Wage War's New Song, 'Blindfold,' on Octane". SiriusXM. April 15, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Wage War announce 'It Calls Me By Name' EP, share lead single "Song of the Swamp"". Lambgoat. February 24, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  4. ↑ Adams, Gregory (February 24, 2026). "Hear Wage War throw down on new "Song of the Swamp"". Revolver. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  5. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (February 25, 2026). "Wage War Announce New EP, Unleash Single "Song of the Swamp": Stream". Consequence. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Wage War Release 'It Calls Me by Name' EP out Today via Fearless Records". Rock 'N' Load. April 17, 2026. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Walton, Ed (April 18, 2026). "EP Review: It Calls Me By Name – Wage War". Distorted Sound. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hamilton, Kayla (April 16, 2026). "Wage War - It Calls Me By Name (EP Review)". Wall of Sound. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Kelly, Téa (April 13, 2026). "EP Review: Wage War - It Calls Me by Name - Boolin Tunes". Boolin Tunes. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  10. ↑ Gonzales, Ramon (April 17, 2026). "New Flesh: Releases from Wage War, The Last Ten Seconds of Life, .Gif From God and More". Knotfest. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ Tepper, Ned (April 28, 2026). "Wage War Lock In 2026 Australian Tour With Orthodox And Heavensgate". Blunt Magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Nicole, Hayley (April 20, 2026). "Wage War – It Calls Me By Name | EP Review". Noizze. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  13. 1 2 Karunaharan, Theviya (April 16, 2026). "Review: Wage War - It Calls Me By Name". Out of Rage. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  14. ↑ "It Calls Me by Name / Wage War / Credits / It Calls Me by Name / Wage War – Tidal". Tidal. April 17, 2026. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
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