WRETCH – Man or Machine (March 15, 2019)

The release date of the of the new album Man Or Machine by the US metal band Wretch is March 15, 2019. The album will also be released in a limited edition of 300 black copies and insert on vinyl.

It’s already the third album in just four and a half years and with Man Or Machine, Cleveland’s cult act continues its most productive career collaboration with Pure Steel Records.

Of course, every fan who already appreciated the previous work gets full service here. Melodic, straight power/thrash metal in the classical US-American style shine with powerful vocals. Almost perfect teamwork of both guitarists and a passion for the legendary sound of the Auburn spectrum make Man Or Machine a hot contender to cheer fans of Breaker or even old Metal Church. With the great Judas Priest cover “Steeler”, the five guys around founder Nick and frontman Juan remember their musical heritage with audible passion.

Tracklist:
1. “Man Or Machine”
2. “Destroyer Of Worlds”
3. “Schwarzenberg”
4. “Steeler”
5. “Strike Force One”
6. “Requiem Aeternam”
7. “The Inquisitor Trilogy Part I: Castle Black”
8. “The Inquisitor Trilogy Part II: The Inquisitor”
9. “The Inquisitor Trilogy Part III: Fire, Water, Salt and Earth”
12. “Man Or Machine” (Acoustic) – Hidden Track

Formed in the early ’80s, Wretch rose to become one of Cleveland’s most heralded underground metal acts, releasing the classic track “Life” on Auburn Records‘ Heavy Artillery compilation album in 1989. However, after the band moved to Los Angeles in 1989 in a failed bid to get signed to a major label, things fell apart, and Wretch was abandoned.

Wretch lay dormant for decades until its 2004 reformation, when the band recorded and released their full-length Reborn CD. The Reborn CD got them international attention and garnered an invitation to play at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air Festival in 2007. Wretch recorded and released the follow-up CD, Make this Garden Burn to coincide with the HOA appearance, and Festival organizers thought so much of the title track, that it has since served as the Headbangers Open Air Festival’s theme song.

In 2013, Wretch was invited to play Greece’s Up the Hammers Festival, and the band again entered the studio to craft a release to coincide with the festival appearance. The result was 2013’s Rise to Power EP. This release got the attention of Germany’s Pure Steel Records, signing Wretch to a 5-year recording contract.

Line-up:
Juan Ricardo – vocals
Michael Mjölnir Stephenson – guitars, keyboard
Tim Frederick – bass, backing vocals
Nick Giannakos – guitars
Jeff Curenton – drums

Pre-order: Man or Machine