Wayward Corpse brings metal scene to Fredericton

Local band Wayward Corpse played at The Cap last Sept. 8, 2025. (Credit: Josh Eidt)

Wayward Corpse, a local war metal band playing together since January 2025, has been gaining popularity in Fredericton’s alternative music scene.

“I saw Jackson playing with Rhabdomyolysis and I thought, if I don’t play in a band with Jackson, I’m blowing it,” said Seger Dow, Wayward’s vocalist and frontman. 

The band cited many acts as inspiration for their sound, such as Goreguts, Siege and Pissgrave. 

“Goreguts’s Obscura is so weird, unique and alien you just have to imagine those guys’ brains are working on a different frequency than everyone else’s,” said Jackson McGrath, Wayward Corpse’s guitarist.

The inspirations behind the band’s style include not only musical acts but also visual artists.

Seger credits German painter Otto Dix as a major inspiration to the band's music and Wayward Corpse aims to create a soundtrack dedicated to his art.

“They are really kind of scary and wild, pretty disturbing images,” said Dow. 

Wayward Corpse, having just finished a busy summer of playing shows in Fredericton, is now hoping to get their music into more people’s hands. 

“We have a demo that is mixed but not mastered, to be released soon,” said the band’s vocalist.

The band said they plan on releasing their music everywhere, including streaming services, despite being advised against this practice.

“It’s 2025, it’ll be out on streaming. I get why people don’t do it, being true underground and all this kind of stuff. But it's just nicer. I don’t think it’s a crime,” said Dow.

The band also has plans in the works to tour.

“The Maritimes as a whole is a pretty united front at the moment, so we’ll do that first, ” said Dow, adding Toronto to the program.

As well as playing in Wayward Corpse, McGrath also books shows for other metal and hardcore bands in the city.

On Sept. 15, he booked Kaonashi, a major band from Philadelphia, that came to play at McGrath’s show at the Killarney Lodge.

“This is the first time I’ve had to deal with a band that has a manager. The scene is definitely growing,” said McGrath. “There’s a lot of new young people.”

The members of the band stressed the importance of getting young people into the local metal scene to encourage the growth of the genre.

“We can’t have a locals-only show right now. We don’t have enough bands to have a show without a touring band coming.”

“Some of those [who come to Wayward Corpse shows] are in the process of starting bands now. We need more people to get involved.”