Wage War Teams With Heart Support For Mental Health Awareness Video

Florida metalcore new comers Wage War have teamed up with American mental health charity Heart Support for the release of their emotive single Youngblood. It’s been a busy few months for the Ocala 5-piece after the release of their highly anticipated debut album ‘Blueprints’ along with a busy touring schedule.

Youngblood is the perfect mix of metalcore brutality  and emotional lyrical touch. The aggressive vocals in the verses highlight the band’s passion for the theme, while clean vocals precisely deliver the message of mental health awareness. There is no mistaking the purpose behind Youngblood with lyrics “He was almost seventeen/Decided life was not worth living/Put a gun to his pain/To finally make it go away”, making it clear the band’s desire is to put the issue in the spotlight.

Heart Support is a charity founded by band mates and metalcore mainstays August Burns Red which supports teens to young adults suffering with addiction, depression, relationship issues, and other personal struggles.

“This song is personal and important to us, especially dealing with such a prevalent matter” explains guitarist Cody Quistad. “We are very honoured to team up with Heart Support who has been bringing hope to this community and working hard to make a difference [as] Youngblood is more than a song, it’s a message. Never stay silent.”

Quistad has first-hand experience with this issue as a friend and fan of the band, named Louis, taking his own life.

“When it came around to writing Youngblood, it really resounded with me, I wanted to write a song that was in his honour,” Quinstead said in an interview with Heart Support.

Wage War’s advocacy for mental illness support is obvious in the official music video for Youngblood. There is no subtlety in sight as Wage War depict the pressing issue of depression in full view, with added undertones of the Heart Support’s “Never stay silent” mantra.

The video depicts it’s main character struggling with mental health issues and keeping his brother in the dark about his mental state. Visual symbols such as family photos, ghosts, and funerals represent the family ties and effectively drive home the issues of mental illness. The video ends with the written message “There is 1 death by suicide every 12.3 minutes in the U.S – One is too many”.