Dig In by Idlewar: A Hard Rock Feast That Packs a Punch
If you’re into rock music with grit, sweat, and just enough swagger to make your speakers feel alive, Dig In by Idlewar is worth sinking your teeth into. Released back in 2015 under their own label (Idlewar Music), this hard rock gem from the US doesn’t try too hard to reinvent the wheel—it just grabs it, spins it faster, and runs over a few clichés along the way.
The album kicks off like an uninvited house party that turns out to be awesome. Tracks like “Stronger” hit immediately—no slow burn here. It’s raw energy wrapped around chunky riffs and vocals that sound like they’ve been dragged through gravel but still manage to soar. The chorus sticks to you like gum on a hot sidewalk; it’s simple yet impossible to shake off. This one screams repeat button material because sometimes, all you need is sheer attitude without overthinking things.
Then there’s “Feel The Pain,” which feels less like a song and more like a primal scream therapy session for anyone who's ever had a bad day—which, let’s face it, includes everyone. The track stomps its way forward with relentless rhythm, almost daring you not to bang your head. There’s something cathartic about how Idlewar leans into the chaos here. You can practically hear the sweat dripping off the guitars as they churn out riff after punishing riff. And yeah, maybe hearing "pain" shouted repeatedly shouldn’t work as well as it does, but dang if it doesn’t feel good when they do it.
Now, I gotta mention—I’m pretty sure “Chunk of Me” and “Out of My Head” are listed twice on the tracklist. Either someone goofed while typing or Idlewar really wants us to know these tunes matter. Honestly? They might be onto something. Repetition works when the songs slap, and both tracks deliver solid punches. But hey, even rock gods trip up sometimes.
What makes Dig In stand out isn’t some groundbreaking innovation—it’s the authenticity. Idlewar wrote and produced everything themselves, and it shows. These guys clearly love what they do, and that passion bleeds through every note. No shiny pop sheen, no radio-friendly compromises—just straight-up, honest-to-goodness hard rock.
By the time the last chord fades, you realize something kinda funny: this album doesn’t demand respect. Instead, it earns it. Like finding a crumpled twenty-dollar bill in old jeans, Dig In sneaks up on you when you least expect it. So crank it loud, let loose, and don’t forget—rock ‘n’ roll ain’t dead. It’s just hangin’ out in places like this, waiting for you to dig in yourself.
Oh, and P.S.—if Idlewar ever opens a BBQ joint, sign me up. Their music already smells smoky enough to pull it off.
