Half-man, half-wolf, and all killer, no filler—MWAM continue to prove why they’re one of the most exciting bands in rock today. Don’t sleep on this EP; you’ll regret missing out on the howl.

Words by Felix Bartlett | March 10, 2025

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Hot off the heels of catching the Attack on Titan finale in cinemas, MAN WITH A MISSION’s new EP, XV, felt destined to land on my desk this week to fill that J-rock hole in my life. This infectiously delightful EP is a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, offering new listeners a taste of their high-energy anthems and genre-defying creativity, while also treating long-term fans to a whopping eight live recordings from their tour stop in Mexico.

For those unfamiliar, MAN WITH A MISSION (MWAM) are the half-man, half-wolf rockers who’ve become synonymous with high-energy anthems and genre-defying creativity. Known for providing iconic tracks for series like My Hero Academia and Naruto, they’ve carved out a unique space in the global rock scene.

But enough of that we’re here to dive into this new EP with ‘Vertigo’ kicking things off in full force with nu-metal grit paired with MWAM’s signature singalong choruses, complete with a nostalgic DJ scratch bridge (those familiar with the likes of Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park will notice a familiar sound). ‘Circles’ follows, offering a melancholic yet hopeful tone that feels tailor-made for an anime closing theme while ‘REACHING FOR THE SKY’ is a frenetic, high-energy anthem with a chant-worthy chorus. Rounding off the new tracks ‘whispers of the fake‘ delivers a little surprise before heading into the live segment with an acoustic, country-inspired track that once again shows that no genre is off the table when it comes to MWAM.

Now, while the new track definitely provides a fresh perspective on where the band are at now, it’s the live portion of the EP where MWAM truly shine. Tracks like ‘INTO THE DEEP’ and ‘Merry-go-round’ capture the band’s electric stage presence, with crowds roaring every word. Even the acoustic rendition of ‘blaze’ is captivating, proving their ability to connect with audiences in any setting. The EP closes with fan favorites like ‘Dead End In Tokyo’, ‘My Hero’, and ‘Kizuna no Kiseki’, delivering singalong choruses that had me getting some strange looks whilst in my car on my way to work…

With four strong new tracks and a selection of live performances XV serves as a brilliant entry point for those discovering MWAM for the first time whilst giving long term listerns a chance to relive their unparalleled energy from their live shows. this release is a must-listen. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, XV is the perfect entry point into the world of MAN WITH A MISSION.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: One Ok Rock!, Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas, Survive

‘XV’ will be released 12 March via Century Media Records

Man With A MIssion bring their 15th anniversary ‘Howling Across The World’ tour to the ÜK and Europe in October:

October

2 London, UK – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
3 Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz
5 Birmingham, UK – XOYO
8 Berlin, Germany – Metropol
10 Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar
11 Paris, France – Salle Pleyel
14 Frankfurt, Germany – Batschkapp
15 Lyon, France – Le Transbordeur
17 Cologne, Germany – E-Werk
18 Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
21 Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar
23 Munich, Germany – Backstage Werk
24 Vienna, Austria – Simm City