With their latest release “Ready For War,” Cleveland-based duo How We Feel launched themselves into the modern rock arena not with polish for the sake of perfection, but with scars bared and voices raised. They are delivering a psychological standoff dressed in thunderous drums, searing vocals, and unflinching honesty!
From the first line, “Take a shot but believe me you will never get through,” it’s clear this song is a warning shot and a declaration. Vocalist Chris Bianchi doesn’t sing to be heard; he sings like he’s already survived the worst and has nothing left to prove. His delivery burns with conviction, while drummer Brian Lamtman constructs a rhythmic landscape that mirrors the chaos and tension of the lyrics. The chemistry between them, forged over decades of friendship and life experience, makes every moment feel lived-in and immediate.
Lyrically, “Ready For War” is both intimate and confrontational. It speaks to heartbreak, disillusionment, and inner conflict, but with a tone that never collapses into despair. Instead, it claws forward: steady, bruised, but resolute. Phrases like “crucified for looking back” and “my heart won’t beat for you” carry emotional weight without overstatement. The battlefield here isn’t just external; it’s internal, emotional, and raw.
Production-wise, the track is bold without being bloated. Thanks to producer Paul Bartolome and mastering engineer Ted Jensen, the sound is clean where it needs to be, and jagged where it should hurt. There’s room for each element to breathe and ensure effectiveness.
The song’s video, directed by Jake Cole, captures the arc from underground creation to public confrontation. It’s not about glamorizing the struggle, it’s about showing how creation emerges from conflict, and how love, rage, and resolve can occupy the same space.
With “Ready For War,” How We Feel doesn’t just introduce themselves, they step into the ring, swinging with purpose. It’s a track that feels torn from a journal and thrown onto a stage, echoing with the reminder that the deepest battles are often the ones we carry alone; and for anyone who’s ever felt like they were losing the fight, this song throws you both a lifeline and a war cry in one..
