Musical Style: Hard Rock	Produced By: Joshua Turner
Record Label: Independent	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2025	Artist Website: We Wept
Tracks: 5	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 16:43

If the 90’s era ‘Seattle sound’ is a key factor for you, We Wept delivers.  The one-man band project of Seattle, Washington based vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Joshua W. Turner, We Wept gives prominence to grunge influenced hard rock with Christian themes on its December of 2025 self-titled debut 5-song EP.  Turner successfully fills a ‘jack of all trades’ role in that with the exception of several guest musician appearances, he handles all aspects of the writing and recording process to also include arrangements, mixing and mastering.  How is that for versatility?

Seattle sound loosely defines as a ‘a fusion of punk rock and heavy metal with an emphasis on distorted guitars, angst-filled lyrics about social alienation, and an unkempt, anti-consumerist fashion aesthetic’.  We Wept fits the bill in such regard, particularly in light of how its press material lists Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and Nirvana as points of reference.  That said, in my opinion Grammatrain deserves equal note when factoring how the faith based We Wept prose flies in the face of any so called ‘angst-filled and social alienation’.  As noted in the We Wept press material:

‘We are here to show that rock is not dead and that the lost and forgotten can join us as we raise our voices in faith, hope and against the darkness of this world’.

“Gotta Lotta” gets the EP off to a bang as a two and half minute detonation of distorted bass, incisive guitars and indelible hooks.  I challenge you to keep the unremittingly catchy ‘you got a lot of motto from me’ refrain from your mind!  Artist takes opportune to exhibit his ranging from a whispered voice to a commandingly mid-ranged delivery vocal style.

It always impresses me manner in which Seattle sound songwriting lends to abundant melody and such is the case with follow up cut “Not Satisfied”.  Perhaps it is the melodic bass, fluent rhythm guitar and delicate vocal melodies, but the song brings a commercial yet commanding presence - rhythm guitar makes as forthwith statement as anything here - that would lend to mid-nineties radio.  This one would be a top track on any Grammatrain album.  Lyric snippet:

Some days you can hide it
Some days you make believe
Someday you will tell yourself God is nothing like me
One day the door will open
And I can tell you what that means
Cause I got a friend in Jesus
And He’s got a friend in me

Still you wonder why you’re not satisfied

The same applies with “Desperate”.  It proves another hard charger, impaling its three minutes to convincing rhythms and telling hooks as artist shines guitar wise with riffs of an unhesitant form and leads reaching for the fittingly bluesy.  Again, Grammatrain comes to mind.

“Big God” presents with compelling stoner groove swagger.  Rumbling guitar impels in and out of the mix, bass again makes a plundering statement and vocals run the gamut from distorted to borderline growled.  The We Wept affection for notable hooks again rears its head- I particularly take to the catchy ‘Adonai, Big God’ refrain.  Lyric snippet:

Darkness
Fear me, know me
Shake
Satan
Tremble, crumble

ADONAI
BIG GOD

Fearless
Father, no other
God of all
Jesus is coming
Stop running

On closing cut “Bury Me”, Turner is joined by guest musicians John Paolilli Jr (lead guitar), Lawrence Lee (bass) and Greg Ross (drums).  With alternative tinged but substantial guitar leading the way, song promotes a grand melody focus - once more an indelible commercial statement realizes - but also an aggressive side found in periodic borderline extreme elements rising to the surface.  Lyric snippet:

Pieces and pieces and pieces and pieces of love
Broken and shattered and buried with all of my trust

These wounded hands
Still fight for what I love

Back to the past where I thought love would last
But it all was just a dream
There's no reason for sharing
Who wants someone they can't see

As can be the case with quality EPs, We Wept leaves somewhat wanting in that five songs barely wets the appetite- you wish for several more tunes to round out the track listing.  Good news is that at the time of this writing (spring 2026), We Wept released a new single entitled “Safe House” that proves equally album worthy.  It takes a haunting ballad approach, with a solemn if not low-key resonance as richly flowing harmonies and incorporeal vocal melodies converge with lucid keyboards.

If a fan of the Seattle sound, the We Wept self-titled debut EP and accompanying single come highly recommended.  In light of the fitting lead guitar work and hard rock meets metal heaviness, I see those who might otherwise pass on grunge to find We Wept of interest.  Key indicator is how the genres emphasis on profound melody and hooks lends to repeat play.  I advise giving We Wept the time and opportunity it deserves.

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “Gotta Lotta” (2:27), “Not Satisfied” (4:32), “Desperate” (2:46), “Big God” (3:28), “Bury Me” (4:28), “Safe House” (single) (4:45)

Musicians
Joshua Turner - Lead Vocals, Guitars & Bass

Additional Musicians
John Paolilli Jr - Lead Guitar
Lawrence Lee - Bass
Greg Ross - Drums