Swedish metal powerhouse The Halo Effect are back with fire in their veins, unleashing an electrifying new single — a blistering cover of W.A.S.P.’s 1984 anthem “I Wanna Be Somebody.” Handpicked by guitar hero Jesper Strömblad, the track marks the band’s third reinterpretation of a metal classic and keeps their celebration of iconic heavy metal influences burning strong.
Alongside the new single, The Halo Effect have officially announced their upcoming EP, We Are Shadows, set for release on November 21. The collection will bring together these covers into one powerful statement, bridging old-school metal heritage with the band’s modern melodic death metal fire.
Accompanied by a striking visualizer, “I Wanna Be Somebody” captures the raw, unrelenting spirit of W.A.S.P.’s shock-rock legacy while stamped with The Halo Effect’s unmistakable energy.
Jesper Strömblad shared the inspiration behind the choice of track:
“W.A.S.P.’s aggressive sound and eccentric stage presence has always been fun. The shock of songs like ‘I Fck 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.”*
With “I Wanna Be Somebody,” The Halo Effect continue to pay homage to their roots while forging their own path. This new single sets the tone perfectly for the release of We Are Shadows this fall.
👉 Listen: I Wanna Be Somebody
👉 Pre-order the EP We Are Shadows: Here
The Halo Effect is:
- Mikael Stanne | Vocals
- Jesper Strömblad | Guitar
- Niclas Engelin | Guitar
- Peter Iwers | Bass
- Daniel Svensson | Drums
