Industrial Sludge Metal Band WORST ONES Unleashes New EP “Cold Case” Against Institutions Carrying Out Cruelty; Watch The Lyric Video For The Title-Track!

'Cold Case' single cover

Philadelphia’s industrial sludge metallers WORST ONES are ready to come back with a new EP, after releasing the single Vex in March this year. The new effort is called Cold Case and it is composed by the title-track and a remix version of the same. 

Cold Case is also available as a lyric video – watch it here!

Cold Case is a searing indictment of power, complicity, and the violence hidden in plain sight. Built on punishing industrial grooves, a 303 bassline, and layers of moody textures and noise scorched guitars, the track hits with a menacing, high energy momentum that channels the raw intensity of “Twitch” era Ministry and Skinny Puppy, the gritty pulse of Die Warzau, and the impactful aggression of The Prodigy. 

Lyrically, it exposes how institutions carry out cruelty with precision while society turns away, pretending not to see the blood on its hands. The phrase “just another cold case” becomes a symbol of willful ignorance, where injustice is not buried because it is unsolvable, but because it is inconvenient. The chorusʼ imagery - “up against the wall / going in for the kill” - evokes violent repression and execution, while the line “every sick and nightmare reason comes to life” suggests how dark motives are brought to the surface and acted upon. Even in the face of horror, the masses “rally in their fervor,” a reference to mob mentality and blind nationalism. Violence is not just permitted; it is ritualized. Power is the culture, and the aftermath is “a feast for vultures.”

But at its heart, Cold Case is a protest. It ends not just in defiance with “I wonʼt fall in fear,” but with a warning: “Now you're sick, their eyes can see it.” The mask has slipped. Itʼs a refusal to be complicit and a demand to confront the truth, even when it burns.

Cold Case was written and recorded by Drew Ew. Mixed and mastered by Jared Birdseye. Promo Photography by Luz Karolina Sanchez. Live photography by Vinny Barreras. Cover and logo by Drew Ew except “deathmetallogo” by Darren Adcock. Music Video by Drew Ew.

WORST ONES is:

Drew Ew - Vocals, Guitar, Programming

Doppleganga - Drums, Programming

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Worst Ones

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About:

From the nasty streets of Philadelphia, WORST ONES rises as a formidable industrial sludge metal juggernaut. Formed in 2016 by vocalist/guitarist Drew Ew, the project began as a raw expression of unbridled emotion, blending the mechanical grind of industrial metal with the slow, crushing weight of sludge. In 2018, the addition of Doppelganga - a maestro of industrial soundscapes and electronic percussion - transformed WORST ONES into a sonic powerhouse. Together, the duo crafts a unique blend of distorted guitars, thunderous electronic drums, and hip-hop-inspired production techniques like sampling and drum programming.

Their journey began with early recordings produced by Dan Kishbaugh (An Albatross, Vektor, Die Choking), leading to features on Suicide Bongʼs “Killed by Philadelphia Vol. 1” and a series of digital singles later compiled by Black Monk Records on cassette. The standout track “Found Out” earned critical attention from New Noise, WXPN, Spill Magazine, and AltPress Discover, solidifying their place in the underground music scene.

WORST ONES has continually evolved, and their recent work demonstrates an unrelenting creative drive. In the past year, theyʼve released a trilogy of hard-hitting singles - “Broken Cost,” “Love Bomb,” and “Web of Lies.” These tracks showcase their ability to combine crushing riffs, industrial rhythms, and hypnotic electronic layers, offering fans a visceral and dynamic listening experience. The singles have received recognition from underground music blogs, playlists, and streaming platforms, further expanding their reach beyond the local scene. Over the years, the duo has also released a string of notable works, including Is It Worth It?, which premiered on Decibel Magazineʼs blog, and Badman. Tracks like Born of Pain, Black Hole Baby, and Funeral Flowers earned widespread acclaim, with features on Indie Nation, Weedian, and Lone Frequencies, alongside placements on numerous Spotify playlists. The Badman remix album, featuring collaborations with artists like Super Thief, Das Black Milk, and Jordyn, further highlighted the bandʼs versatility and innovative approach to their sound. Combined with visually striking music videos and dynamic live performances, WORST ONES delivers an intense, boundary-pushing experience that reverberates far beyond Philadelphia. With resilience, adaptability, and an unapologetic sound, WORST ONES continues to carve their own path in industrial metal.