Flint band War on the Horizon reintroduces itself with new voice, new EP

FLINT, Michigan — With a newly re-released EP and a booked summer schedule, metalcore band War on the Horizon is quickly making its mark on Michigan’s metal scene. 

War on the Horizon, or WOTH, initially created as a side project for guitarist and vocalist Matt McConnell, has taken on a mind of its own and become much more than that. I learned this shortly after logging into a Google Meet and finding McConnell, who was taking a break in the middle of a jam session at War on the Horizon’s drummer Dan’s house, ready to chat. 

McConnell pulled a group together to create a single in 2019, but the band actually formed in 2021. They found their current sound and, from it, their rising success in 2024, when the new additions of vocalists Madison (McConnell’s daughter) and Tyler joined Matt, guitarist Andy of The Headless, and bassist Dave. 

Madison was raised learning to sing, and happened to be at the right place at the right time – when the previous vocalist was quitting and walking out the door, she was walking in.

“I said, ‘Madison, you’re the singer.’” McConnell recounted. “She was like, ‘Okay!’” 

Coupled with Tyler’s insanely talented harsh vocals and the just as well-executed instrumentals, it’s easy to understand why she was so easily accepted into the now female-fronted band. Her voice, comparable to Evanescence’s Amy Lee, brings just the right amount of richness and grace to the usual rough and harsh already present, creating a perfect balance between the two. 

Alongside being one of the few female-fronted metal bands in Flint and holding that representation, WOTH preaches living life to the fullest while remaining aware of the future. 

War on the Horizon isn’t just an amazing band name for how easily it rolls off the tongue; its meaning holds a lot of significance for Matt. After inventing and cutting through about 200 names, he kept coming back to War on the Horizon. 

“We’re all broken people. We all have our issues, whether it’s marriage or war, famine, money issues…all of that stuff, it’s our own personal wars,” McConnell explained the meaning behind the band’s final chosen name. “We’re all broken people – how we deal with that is what we really write about…we’d love to be the band people listen to when they’re struggling.”

This message they wish to send to fans is clear as day in their latest EP, We The Broken. While We The Broken has been released before, it was rebranded with a fresh new cover to match their newly created website, and the new song “The Night” was added for the re-release last June. 

The EP begins with “The Color of Our Caskets”, a song created to be a set opener, which it does a fantastic job of. 

“It just comes out and kicks you in the face,” McConnell described before very passionately and proudly detailing the bridge, where his daughter’s voice floats over beautifully. “I love just dropping everything and hitting that pretty bridge…and then coming back in super heavy again and [having] Tyler just go berserk.”

“Get Along” follows after it, including chuggy guitar and a punk influence. Then, the pop metal ballad “One Horse Town” lets Madison’s vocals shine. The appended “The Night” is next, a great way to transition away from the softness of “One Horse Town” and back into full metalcore territory.

“‘The Night’ is about getting through the night and waking up the next morning – it’s a new dawn, it’s a new thing,” McConnell expressed. “You start every single day fresh and relieve all of your burdens.” 

The last featured song is “We the Broken”, an anthem with big, powerful choruses and eerie verses that Madison’s vocals contrast with gorgeously. 

“I really love the depth of our EP,” McConnell told me. “There’s something for everybody. Adding ‘The Night’, I think really rounded it all off.” 

You can catch War on the Horizon at their next performance at The Sanctuary in Detroit for the second time, where they open for Heathen’s North American tour alongside Shadow of the Talisman and Void Aug. 6. Shortly after that, they will be at the Vexed Venue Aug. 8 with Ashes Of Ice and The Lion Within. 

WOTH will also be opening for Primer 55 and 40 Below Summer at The Machine Shop Aug. 14, and playing the Michigan Mud Jam Aug. 19. They’re ending their summer at the Flint Local 432 Sept. 12, accompanied by The Headless and Shadow of the Talisman. Doors open at 6, tickets are $5, and limited show-only merch is available.

Keep up with other events and concerts War on the Horizon has planned on their website here. Find their social media and booking information linked here.

If you’re interested in buying a ticket to their show at The Sanctuary, or for any other reason, WOTH is contactable at the email Waronthehorizonband@gmail.com.

“Our arts & culture coverage is made possible by support from the Flint Institute of Arts.”