SINGLE REVIEW: Augmented Hearts - Wicked Game
Augmented Hearts aren’t just making music—they’re crafting sonic storms, and ‘Wicked Game’ is a perfect example of their ability to blend raw power with immersive atmosphere. The St. Louis outfit describe themselves as heavy alt-pop, but there’s so much more going on here. Swirling and cinematic, the track weaves together elements of symphonic metal, alternative rock, and intricate guitar-driven detail, creating something both technically complex and emotionally charged. It’s bold, dramatic, and unapologetically intense—just as it should be.
From the first gritty riff, ‘Wicked Game’ pulls you in, its guitars layered with precision and depth, setting the stage for the sheer vocal force to come. The drums hit hard, thrashing and relentless, adding weight to the already towering sound. But it’s the vocals that truly steal the show—powerful, operatic, and ethereal all at once. There’s an effortless command to them, swooping and soaring over the instrumentation with the kind of grace that feels both delicate and unbreakable. When the harmonies hit, they elevate the track even further, adding to its already rich, cinematic feel.
Lyrically, the song plays with the thrill of the chase and the inevitable crash that follows, teasing and daring with every line. There’s a sense of knowing self-destruction to it, an awareness of the cycle yet a willingness to dive back in anyway. It’s the perfect match for the music—intense, impassioned, and completely captivating. The production is immaculate, every layer meticulously placed, yet it never feels over-polished. Instead, it retains a raw, authentic edge, ensuring that every note and every beat lands with full force.
Augmented Hearts have delivered something strikingly unique with ‘Wicked Game’. It’s atmospheric yet ferocious, technically intricate yet deeply emotional. A powerhouse of a track from a band that clearly knows exactly what they’re doing—playing the game, and playing it well.
