Single Review: As It Is - 'The Wounded World'

Aggression and heartfelt riffs dominate ‘The Wounded World’, the latest single unveiled by Brighton quartet As It Is as they announce new album ‘The Great Depression’.

As It Is have never been one to shy away from tackling difficult topics, and their latest single, ‘The Wounded World’, sees them being brutally honest to create a song that is able to accurately reflect the human condition. Speaking on the single, lead singer Patty Walters says the track is “a commentary on the polarised and volatile modern reality, which we’ve allowed.” Walters also gives us an insight into his own thoughts, saying “I feel that we as a society have embodied a destructive habit of talking without listening, surrounding ourselves with alternative facts and headlines, totally void of open-mindedness or empathy. Despite the labels and beliefs that all too often divides us, we are one people, and we’re all to blame.”

The band certainly hammers home the message that we’re all to blame; throughout the track, the line ‘We’re all to blame for the wounded world’ is sung time and time again, and you can really hear the despair in Walter’s voice as he makes this confession. There’s an unrelenting energy thrumming throughout the track, created by the incessant riffing of the guitar. The track starts with Walters alternating between low and high registers, accompanied by a repetitive riff and heavy bass. A passionate guitar solo ensues, where the riff is repeated at a higher range whilst the drums and bass work together tirelessly to create a fervent atmosphere. This is a song addressed at everyone; ‘Brothers, sisters, young and old’ – no one is under the radar, and all is at fault.

Walters is not alone in his blasting of society, and as the song progresses, a rousing chorus takes over, shouting ‘We’re all to blame for the wounded world’, and eventually you’ll find yourself shouting along too. The bridge is a particular stand-out point, as Walters goes into shouting, gradually climaxing into screaming. There is no restraint here, and Walters unleashes his full emotion and frustration at the world, telling us ‘

I know this isn’t something you’re going to like to hear, which is exactly why you need to hear this

.’ The instrumental breakdown is sure to get you headbanging along, before Walters’ distant and isolated vocals bring us back to the chorus of the song, ending with, unsurprisingly, ‘We’re all to blame for the wounded world’.

As It Is are done being polite and playing nice, and their sound evolution reflects this mentality. It’s time for the new era of As It Is. It’s time for ‘The Great Depression’, which will be out on 10 August via Fearless Records.

Words by Athena Kam