Aussie nu metalcore 4-piece Headwreck have just released their third EP, Attitude Adjustment, on the world and if you haven't heard of this band before, now is the time to climb aboard this hype train that I'm conducting. Choo choo. I first discovered this band a couple of months ago by letting Spotify recommend new nu metal music to me, and their 2022 cover of "Lying From You" by Linkin Park immediately captured my attention. I love when bands put their own spin on covers instead of just trying to copy the original, and dare I say, I prefer the Headwreck version. Now, I am biased because blending nu metal and metalcore is my favorite subgenre of music, but these guys absolutely smashed this rendition with the impressive singing as well as screams, and the instruments add that distinct metalcore flavor that complements the vocals perfectly. Now, let's Five Knuckle Shuffle our way into Attitude Adjustment.
Let's get this out of the way now: this review will contain numerous wrestling references, but what else would you expect with a title in reference to John Cena's finishing move? How fitting to release an EP entitled Attitude Adjustment just over one month before Cena wrestles his last match and retires (so he says...). The opening track "Filet-O-Fish" kicks it off with a bang. There are plenty of pop culture references to be made in this track, such as this being the band's Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift since it's their third EP release, as well as shouting out Skrillex, Need For Speed, and Matt Hardy's finishing move, the Twist of Fate. The lyric delivery and rhyme style of the first verse reminds me of "Spit It Out" by Slipknot in the best way. The second verse sees a more hip-hop style in both lyrics and instruments, before returning to the heavy sound and a nasty breakdown commences. This song containing nu metal, metalcore, and references to wrestling and Star Wars is my whole personality in one song, it was made for me.
Next up is "LOW BLOW!", perhaps an even heavier offering from the band. The first five seconds sound like it is straight out of a 2009 MySpace era scene song, which I was not expecting but I'm not mad at. There's some nice turntables featured here, but I think the drums really get their time to shine. They have a deathcore flair to them at times that I enjoy. The downtuned guitars and bass also remind me of After the Burial's sound, one of my favorites. This song is all over the place in terms of genre influences, but isn't the spirit of nu metal fusing all different types of music into one heavy concoction? "LOW BLOW!" makes me simultaneously want to dance while also beating someone down, I don't know how but I enjoy it.
The first two tracks were definitely attention grabbers, great choices to open up with. The third track, "Plan Z" starts off with different vibes than the other two. The lyrics have a more serious and emotional tone, rather than coming up with clever quips and references, but starting with a snippet of Plankton and Karen from The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie made me laugh. The clean vocals in this song take me back to 2010's post-hardcore bands such as The Amity Affliction and Beartooth. Rather than starting heavy and fast right out of the gate, they build up to it later in the song. The turntables are in full force on this track, adding to the funky ambiance and providing a nice backing for the vocals. The music video may be my favorite one, capturing the essence of nostalgia with the box TV, PlayStation 2 and game with custom art on it that is available for purchase (which reminds me of these NuStation 2 CD cases), Guitar Hero notes flowing on the screen, and the band edited in PS2 graphics with the mascot skateboarding around them playing on top of a building. A video game version of John Cena even makes an appearance.
Continuing with the sincere lyrical themes from the last song, "Buzzsaw" displays a more vulnerable side to Headwreck. This track follows the standard nu metalcore pattern of switching back and forth between clean and harsh vocals, sounding straight out of the 2010's in the similar vein of Issues and Sylar. I even get some mathcore vibes in the guitar playing during certain sections. The clean vocals are always on point, but especially in this song. The chorus is very catchy and has been stuck in my head since I first heard the song. It's amazing how they manage to make music that is fresh and nostalgic all at the same time.
Headwreck likes to keeps their listeners on their toes, as "BINGO!" brings the energy right back up to 11 from the get go. While, spoiler alert, I enjoy all of the songs on Attitude Adjustment, this one is easily my favorite. This is the heaviest and also grooviest song on the EP, it's a headbanger for sure. "BINGO!" incorporates the most deathcore influence on this track with very impressive low gutterals, and then immediately switches to soft-spoken rapping right after. That shit will definitely make your head wreck. Everyone in the band gets the spotlight to exhibit their skills and show what they're made of. The turntable solo on this song goes so hard, too. Featuring the most wrestling references out of all of these tracks, "BINGO!" mentions Monday Night Raw, Jeff Hardy, the Royal Rumble, the infamous "RKO from outta nowhere!" meme, SmackDown, and last but certainly not least, "Lighting up barbed wire, Mick Foley". (Side note: The day we hear some AEW and NJPW references in music will be the best day of my life.) To top it off, the music video looks like a raging party I wish I was at. From the Jeff Hardy cosplay, to the iconic fish eye lens that's giving "Last Resort" by Papa Roach vibes, and dance circle during the middle of the song, Headwreck are the type of company I'd want to keep around.
Closing out the EP is "Razor", where we hear the band slowing it down from the last track. Another example of Headwreck exposing their softer side, you can feel the angst exuding from this song. It's a song that I would listen to with my headphones on, head leaned against the car window while its gloomy and raining outside, and pretend I'm in a music video (you know you've done this before). The clean vocals are more present in this song than any of the others, and the emotion is portrayed nicely through the singing. We've seen their wide range of influences and styles throughout this 6-song journey, and "Razor" is no different. This is a splendid track to end Attitude Adjustment with, wrapping up the roller coaster ride we just experienced with a nice, pretty bow.
The EP also features three remixes of "Filet-O-Fish", "LOW BLOW!", and "Plan Z" at the end, incorporating dubstep and EDM elements into them. It reminds me of the Stepped Up and Scratched remix album that Asking Alexandria released in 2011 (what a throwback). I'm also reminded of aggrotech industrial rockers Combichrist in the "LOW BLOW!" remix. These tracks are certainly worth checking out rather than skipping.
If there is one word I would use to describe Headwreck, it's eclectic. They incorporate many elements from across different genres, mixing together into a wonderful conglomeration of a sound. Attitude Adjustment is a showcase to the world of the unique minds that came together to create beautiful art together. There is something for everyone's tastes, whether it's the hip-hop and rapping, downtuned to hell guitars, varying vocal styles with alternating vocalists, witty pop culture references and savvy lyricism, the classic nu metal staple turntable scratches, sick drumming, and fun music videos. They are definitely one to keep on your radar. With the announcement of Headwreck playing Download Festival 2026, combined with this release, it feels like the band is on the cusp of even more success. Their time is now.
Attitude Adjustment is out now via Ditto Music:
