Wednesday 13 has always embraced theatrics, horror, and excess. With his new album Mid Death Crisis, he reconnects with the sleazy, over-the-top energy of glam metal while channeling the darker edge that has defined his solo career.
Growing Up on Shock and Controversy
Born in 1976, Wednesday 13 grew up during the height of glam and metal on MTV. Twisted Sister, Mötley Crüe, and W.A.S.P. were in constant rotation, and their mix of makeup, attitude, and volume left a permanent mark. In the Bible Belt of North Carolina, heavy music was often treated as dangerous, which only added to its appeal. He remembers the “satanic panic” vividly, when parents and preachers railed against the very bands that became his heroes. That tension shaped the rebellious streak still present in his music today.
Alice Cooper’s Lasting Influence
Of all the artists that sparked his imagination, Alice Cooper stood above the rest. A TV spot for Cooper’s Nightmare Returns tour captured his attention as a kid and planted the seed for combining horror with rock. Decades later, Wednesday not only followed that blueprint but shared the stage with Cooper himself. The theatrics, the costumes, and the blend of humor and darkness became central to Wednesday 13’s approach, carried through from Murderdolls to his solo work.
Writing Mid Death Crisis
The new album marks a return to basics. After parting ways with his longtime guitarist, Wednesday took on the writing himself, handling rhythm and even some lead parts. That process reminded him of his early solo records, when every riff and lyric came directly from him. The record’s second single, “Misery,” captures that stripped-down energy. It’s raw, riff-heavy, and closer in spirit to the early days of his career, while still pushing his sound into heavier territory.
Beyond the Music
Wednesday 13 isn’t limiting himself to albums. Years of directing music videos have sharpened his visual style, and he has his eyes set on making horror films of his own. For him, film is a natural progression, another way to expand the world he’s been building on stage. It’s horror, storytelling, and music feeding into each other.
Looking Ahead
Mid Death Crisis is both a throwback and a step forward. It draws on the chaos of the glam and shock rock that raised him while keeping the raw edge of his solo work intact. At the same time, his move toward film promises new ways to expand that universe. For fans, it’s clear that Wednesday 13 isn’t softening with age — he’s doubling down on the spectacle and rebellion that defined him from the start.