The Return of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, new record Wild God explores dramatic themes filled with grief, joy and faith.

Australian legendary post-punk band, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds has officially released their anticipated 18th record, Wild God released on August 30, 2024 via PIAS. The record contains ten brand new tracks in collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Warren Ellis. Along with the announcement of the album, the band will be embarking on a UK and Europe tour in 2024. 

Frontman Nick Cave has marked his place in the industry and became one of the most primitive icons for defying expectations and musical experimentation upon the rise of popularity within the post-punk movement era. The beloved and everlasting decades-long career began during the mid 70s with his previous band The Birthday Party soon turned The Bad Seeds, has scored the Cave and his bandmates the ability to produce numerous albums and travel the world performing sold out tours. With the tribulations of the complexity of the post-punk genre, it is often regarded as one of the main influences of what the future of rock and alternative scene has eventually transpired into.

As being a notable musical icon for the vast majority of his career and being in the public eye, there is no place to hide. This all remains devastatingly true for Nick Cave. The upheavals and downfalls of Cave’s personal life being broadcasted into the world as his tortured heart was in view for all to see, there is no question as to why he turned his unwavering demise and grief into his songwriting. Upon the tragic death of his son, Arthur in 2015 and battling the cries of grief and loss ultimately led to the creation of the album, Ghosteen released in 2016 dedicated to the passing of his child, along with the following record three years later Skeleton Tree. Soon in 2022, Cave’s eldest son, Jethro also passed, causing a pitiful downfall into an endless chain of a dark void filled with despair. 

Up to this point, Wild God continues the path into an unknown territory that encapsulates Cave’s past two records and life experiences into one hopeful final chapter. The record is a collection of vast emotions and integral parts of his religious beliefs that is reflected off into his art. The discussion of grief, joy and faith surrounds the album like an enclosure that is waiting to burst. Each track on the album holds a strong magnetic atmosphere that instantly becomes exponentially spiritual and crafting an otherwise euphoric state of mind. Cave’s ability to master a poetic and arbitrary lifeline with his heart on his sleeve with every lyric and heartbreakingly vocal tones sets the album for an unpredictable cathartic experience.