The return of Wig Wam is certainly one of the more unlikely success stories of the 2020s. Back in the 2000s and early 2010s, the tongue in cheek hard rockers enjoyed a cult following in Scandinavia, flourishing alongside similar acts like Crashdïet, Hardcore Superstar, Crazy Lixx, and a slew of others virtually ignored by American metal outlets. Upon their 2014 split, singer Åge Sten Nilsen embarked upon a solo career, formed a supergroup called Ammunition, and collaborated with a wide range of bands in both a singing and songwriting capacity. But none of these creative outlets could scratch that Wig Wam itch.
Fast forward to the new decade. Despite the threat of a global pandemic, Wig Wam returned bigger and ballsier than ever. Their 2021 comeback album, Never Say Die, received mass critical acclaim. And then the unthinkable happened: They broke into America. Thanks to their 2010 cut “Do Ya Wanna Taste it” being used as the theme song from James Gunn’s action-comedy series, Peacemaker, Wig Wam have been introduced to a whole new demographic of fans: Americans! Because lord knows American “rock” radio is too busy trying to push the latest C-grade Nickelback clone to turn people onto a legitimately cool band like Wig Wam. Thank you Mr. Gunn!
In this regard, Out of the Dark is the “first” Wig Wam album for many listeners, and a clinic in what they do best: Lighthearted, party-friendly hard rock. If you’re looking for something deep or introspective or sophisticated, look elsewhere because this album is anything but. This is made evident by the straightforward hedonism of the opening title cut, and only further emphasized by the swaggering “High n Dry”, muscular “Uppercut Shazam” (What a song title!), and unabashedly upbeat “The American Dream”. Despite coming of age in Norway during the heart of the black metal boom, Wig Wam were clearly more concerned with the likes of Van Halen and Def Leppard, and it shows in their music.
Even during a heavier song like the gutsy “God by Your Side” or chug-laden “Sailor and the Desert Sun”, Wig Wam never crosses over into full metal territory. The arrangement and delivery of these songs is purely rooted in hard rock. They most likely add these occasional creative outliers so not to come off as a one-trick pony, and I respect that. Whether it be the Celtic influenced “Forevermore” or funkalicious “Ghosting You”, Wig Wam are able to keep things interesting without coming off as a glorified cliché, or worse yet, a gimmick.
Although Out of the Dark isn’t the strongest offering in the Wig Wam catalog, I’d have to be a soulless prick to give it anything less than a “good” rating. It’s mind-numbing fun for the whole family…that is if your family’s idea of a summer outing in 2022 was catching the Stadium Tour. If it was, do yourself a favor. Pick up a copy of Out of the Dark and crank it up loud! It’ll only be a matter of time before your little ones start teasing their hair and speaking exclusively in innuendos.
6 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: Hard Rock
For fans of: Def Leppard, Skid Row, Steel Panther