The Halo Effect, the band formed by five former members of Swedish metal group In Flames — Jesper Strömblad on guitar, Daniel Svensson on drums, Peter Iwers on bass, Niclas Engelin on guitar, and Mikael Stanne on vocals — has released a cover of W.A.S.P.’s classic 1984 anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody”. The song was personally selected by Strömblad and marks the group’s third cover, continuing their homage to legendary heavy metal acts that have shaped their sound.
Their version of “I Wanna Be Somebody”, along with previously released covers of Danzig’s “How The Gods Kill” and Kent’s “If You Were Here” (originally titled “Om Du Var Här” in Swedish), will be featured on the band’s upcoming EP, We Are Shadows, set for release on November 21 through Nuclear Blast.
The release of the single is accompanied by a dynamic visualizer that matches the song’s raw energy and attitude.
Strömblad explained why this particular track was meaningful to him: “W.A.S.P.’s aggressive sound and eccentric stage presence has always been fun. The shock of songs like “I Fuck Like A Beast” and fun anthems like “I Wanna Be Somebody” and “L.O.V.E. Machine” are powerful and heavy. Extreme and dramatic, controversial and fun, W.A.S.P.’s “I Wanna Be Somebody”, off their debut album, was my first introduction into the band.”
The We Are Shadows EP will be available digitally and as a limited vinyl edition, giving fans multiple ways to experience this latest chapter in The Halo Effect’s evolution.
