Wretched to release concept album “Decay” in October – listen to the title track now

American death metal band Wretched will return this fall with their long-awaited fifth album, “Decay”, dropping October 17th via Metal Blade Records. It’s their first full-length release in over a decade and picks up the band’s torch with renewed focus and intensity.

A conceptual prequel to 2010’s “Beyond The Gate”, the album tells the story of Malus, a disembodied soul lost in the void between time and space, attempting to reclaim his mortal shell. Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons-style lore, existential dread, and personal loss, the band weaves a narrative exploring themes like decay of morality, memory, and identity.

Musically, “Decay” showcases Wretched at their most dynamic. The record blends heavy grooves, melodic flourishes, and relentless speed—all wrapped in a raw, organic production. Guitarist Steven Funderburk and bassist Andrew Grevey shine with intricate interplay, while Billy Powers delivers one of his most emotionally charged vocal performances to date.

The band self-produced the album, with drummer Marshall Wieczorek handling engineering duties. Mixing was done by Johann Meyer, mastering by Alan Douches, and artwork by Travis Smith. The record will be available on CD, digital, and several vinyl variants.

Ahead of the release, the band dropped a video for the title track “Decay”, offering a first look into the album’s mythic world. A follow-up single, “Radiance”, also recently premiered.

Wretched will support the album with a short run of August club dates alongside Aether Realm and Paladin, followed by a full U.S. tour this fall with Six Feet Under, Exhorder, and Incite.

1. Decay
2. Malus Incarnate
3. The Royal Body
4. The Crimson Sky
5. Radiance
6. Clairvoyance
7. The Mortal Line
8. Behind the Glass
9. Lights
10. The Golden Tide
11. Blackout
12. The Golden Skyway

Wretched Tour Dates 2025:

w/ Aether Realm, Paladin
August 7, 2025 – The Earl, Atlanta, GA, United States
August 8, 2025 – Eulogy, Asheville, NC, United States
August 9, 2025 – Chapel Of Bones, Raleigh, NC, United States
August 10, 2025 – The State Theatre, Greenville, NC, United States (Aether Realm only)

w/ Six Feet Under, Exhorder, Incite
September 21, 2025 – The King Of Clubs, Columbus, OH, United States
September 22, 2025 – Soundstage, Baltimore, MD, United States
September 23, 2025 – Chapel Of Bones, Raleigh, NC, United States
September 25, 2025 – Conduit, Orlando, FL, United States
September 26, 2025 – Orpheum, Tampa, FL, United States
September 27, 2025 – Club LA, Destin, FL, United States
September 28, 2025 – Chelsea’s Live, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
September 29, 2025 – Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX, United States
September 30, 2025 – Jake’s, Lubbock, TX, United States
October 2, 2025 – The Rock, Tucson, AZ, United States
October 3, 2025 – House Of Blues, San Diego, CA, United States
October 4, 2025 – Humdinger, San Luis Obispo, CA, United States
October 7, 2025 – El Corazon, Seattle, WA, United States
October 9, 2025 – Ray’s Golden Lion, Richland, WA, United States
October 10, 2025 – Nova PDX, Portland, OR, United States
October 11, 2025 – The Shredder, Boise, ID, United States
October 13, 2025 – The Oriental Theatre, Denver, CO, United States
October 15, 2025 – The Vanguard, Tulsa, OK, United States
October 16, 2025 – Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA, United States
October 17, 2025 – The Canopy Club, Urbana, IL, United States
October 18, 2025 – Avondale, Chicago, IL, United States
October 19, 2025 – Venue Event Center, Cadillac, MI, United States
October 20, 2025 – Sanctuary, Detroit, MI, United States
October 21, 2025 – Rec Room, Buffalo, NY, United States
October 22, 2025 – District Music Hall, Norwalk, CT, United States
October 23, 2025 – Brooklyn Monarch, Brooklyn, NY, United States
October 24, 2025 – Broken Goblet, Bensalem, PA, United States
October 25, 2025 – Preserving Underground, New Kensington, PA, United States