Wretched to debut new album “Decay” on October 17th, 2025

Charlotte, North Carolina’s renowned heavy metal band, Wretched, has been hard at work over the past two years crafting the songs for their highly anticipated fifth studio album, “Decay,” set to be released on October 17th, 2025, through Metal Blade Records. This new album is a conceptual masterpiece that seamlessly blends eerie melodies with intricate progressive elements.

“Decay,” serving as a prequel to their 2010 album “Beyond the Gate,” delves deep into existential concepts, Dungeons & Dragons-inspired mythology, and themes of personal loss. The band’s versatile lineup pushes boundaries set by their previous releases, delivering a sound that is both polished yet raw, capturing the essence of a live performance. Guitarist Steven Funderburk’s intricate playing style, bassist Andrew Grevey’s emotive basslines, and vocalist Billy Powers’ raw, impassioned vocals all contribute to the album’s dynamic sound.

Drummer Marshall Wieczorek reflects on the band’s growth during the album’s creation process, stating, “We’ve had a lot of time to grow and reflect in the time between our last album and ‘Decay’. Wretched is doing what Wretched always does, and that’s exploring our environment and leaving room for ourselves to try different things.”

Powers further elaborates on the concept behind “Decay,” explaining, “‘Decay’ is 100% a concept album, continuing the story introduced in ‘Beyond the Gate.’ The album’s title track and first single, ‘Decay,’ introduces the main character, Malus, and features elements from the band’s previous album. The song explores themes of loss, helplessness, and the decay of one’s existence.”

The album’s title track sets the tone for the overarching narrative, following Malus on a journey of self-discovery and redemption. Powers delves into the intricate themes explored throughout the album, touching on concepts of good intentions, the passage of time, and the impact of one’s choices on both personal and societal levels.

“Decay” was meticulously self-produced by the band, with engineering by Wieczorek, mixing by Johann Meyer, and mastering by Alan Douches. The album’s artwork and layout were crafted by acclaimed artist Travis Smith, known for his work with bands such as Overkill and Opeth.

In anticipation of the album’s release, Wretched will be embarking on a series of shows with Aether Realm and Paladin, followed by a tour in support of labelmates Six Feet Under across the US. The tour promises to showcase the band’s energetic live performances and showcase tracks from “Decay” alongside fan-favorite hits.

With a lineup consisting of Billy Powers on vocals, Steven Funderburk on guitar, Andrew Grevey on bass, and Marshall Wieczorek on drums, Wretched is set to captivate audiences with their latest offering, “Decay,” a genre-defying journey into the depths of musical creativity. Be sure to catch them live and experience the raw power of their dynamic sound.