Wake The Lion building momentum with new EP

By John Benson

One of the guitarists says the Youngstown music scene needs some good times.

The flier for local band Wake The Lion’s upcoming EP release show Saturday at The Cellar incorporates the group’s name using the same graphic approach made famous by Metallica on its debut album, “Kill ’Em All.”

While Wake The Lion members – Kyle Hoffman (vocals), Justin Carolyne (bass, vocals), Bullettooth Benny (guitar), Kevin Esposito (guitar) and William Kenyhercz (drums) – have affection for Metallica, it’s the Canfield-based band’s winner-take-all approach that mirrors the mind-set of James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.

“I don’t know if it’s the most unique thing out there, but I can’t really compare ourselves to any one band specifically,” said Esposito, a 2004 Canfield High School graduate. “I think we’re kind of getting onto a new thing right now that some other bands are kind of getting onto also.

“We keep it heavy, it stays fun and it’s still melodic with a lot of singing.”

When pressed for exactly what new thing Wake The Lion is doing, the guitarist said, “I think the whole throwing in the Southern vibe is kind of picking up now. We’re not getting too far into that, it’s still definitely recognizable metal and just straight-up rock.”

Originally formed about a year and a half ago, Wake The Lion officially rounded out its lineup when Hoffman joined the act earlier this year. Immediately the new singer went to the studio to add vocal tracks to the music already laid down by the band.

The result is the group’s self-titled debut EP effort, which includes “My Girlfriend Thought She Would Look Good in Something Long and Flowing” and “So I Threw Her Into the Mississippi.” While from a title standpoint the two tracks make sense together, that’s where their adjunction ends.

“The first one definitely starts off with a kind of Southern feel to it, but it gets into an upbeat, kind of poppy sound, and there’s a lot of screaming and singing.” Esposito said. “The second song starts off heavy and has a pretty big catchy chorus.”

Naturally the titles have a sense of humor attached. Is that how the band sees itself?

“I don’t know if it’s so much a sense of humor as it is we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” Esposito said. “We like to have more fun and bring that out in our music. We’re hoping maybe as far as people listening to it, it’s not about being angry or upset. It’s more just having a good time.”

Having a good time and not taking itself too seriously is something Esposito believes the Youngstown music scene needs desperately. He’s hoping Wake The Lion can lead the way.

“It definitely is getting tired, but there are some new acts coming up that I think are kind of exciting and I’m really hoping we’ll be able to be one of them,” Esposito said. “I think we can go into a different direction. We’re kind of building momentum and definitely picking up a fanbase right now, so I’m hoping things keep getting bigger.”

Added Esposito, “The Lion is definitely awake and ready to go at this point.”