REVIEW: CQ Wrestling - Resistance

CQ WRESTLING’s second studio album, Resistance, is set to release on 22nd May, packed with emotional and vulnerable tracks that mix grunge with touches of post-punk.

The first song on the album, Pacifico, is a perfect opener. A melodic, almost hypnotic riff leads us into the song and keeps us captivated throughout, while the rest of the instrumentals remain relatively simple. The same can be said for the vocals, which fit the song perfectly. Through this simplicity, the vocals feel more intimate and vulnerable. The song explores themes of journeys and the path to change, ideas that are heavily emphasized throughout the track. This makes Pacifico a heavy and emotional introduction that sets the tone for the album perfectly.

Innocence starts out with a huge amount of grunge energy. Stripped-back verses lead into heavy, massive choruses. The song almost recalls the likes of NIRVANA, especially during the verses. Thematically, it focuses on the need for change in the world. Lines like “change the rules of the game” effectively emphasize this desire for transformation throughout the song. The next track on the album, Smoke Screen, also refuses to leave this topic behind. Beginning with a slower verse and an almost hypnotic guitar riff, the song initially seems like one of the calmer moments on the record, only to completely erupt into screams and despair towards the end.

Shine Not Burn (Under The Sun) is another song that begins slowly. A gritty bassline carries the track, while the other instruments remain mostly stripped back. The song portrays the feeling of loneliness and separation from loved ones. It feels isolated not only because of the sparse instrumentals in the verses, but also due to the well-crafted and intimate lyrics.

The most post-punk-inspired track, HEALTH+, starts off explosively. A huge, gritty bassline alongside aggressive drums introduces us to another side of CQ WRESTLING. A side they portray perfectly. As one of the heaviest songs on the album, it stays in your head long after listening and sounds like it would be incredible to experience live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YctvM9hH9RI

The opposite can be heard on Finish Line. At first, nothing but a simple guitar riff can be heard. Slowly, the distortion increases and more instruments are introduced, allowing the song to evolve into a slow-burning and emotional track about death and fading away at the finish line. This quickly becomes one of the album’s highlights. Its intimacy and emotional depth are rarely executed this well and are genuinely impressive. The song itself feels like an experience, drawing you deeply into both the band’s emotions and your own. Catherine Wheels also maintains a slower tone at first before erupting into a huge, reverb-heavy chorus. Mesmerizing guitar riffs can be found throughout the song, helping to maintain the atmospheric mood that defines the album.

Forgive & Regret sounds the happiest out of all the songs on the album and can more or less be considered a love song, although it still remains far from conventional. The track carries a dreamy indie texture throughout, combined with strong lyrics that create a surprisingly catchy moment on the record. All Change arrives with a slightly different approach. Distorted vocals blend with an intimate guitar riff during the chorus, while the verses feel dreamy and stripped back. The distorted vocal effects provide an interesting shift right before the end of the record, refreshing the listener’s attention and keeping the album engaging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DmOSFrzkaE

Guns In Their Hands, however, starts off rough and raw. An acoustic riff is paired with simple vocals before the song bursts into an explosive chorus, which is definitely one of the most enjoyable moments on the album. Guns In Their Hands offers another emotional insight into the band’s mindset while also standing as an incredibly well-executed and catchy track.

The album closes with Soft Top, one final emotional journey from the band and yet another brilliantly executed song that feels intimate enough to truly sense the emotions behind its creation. CQ WRESTLING does an amazing job of moving from soft, intimate verses into catchy, melodic, and aggressive choruses that stay with you long after the music ends and Soft Top is no exception.

All in all, Resistance is absolutely worth listening to. From front to back, you can feel the emotion of the band. This level of intimacy is something rarely found on an album. Musically, CQ WRESTLING explores an interesting combination of grunge, post-punk, and dreamy elements, incorporating them into every song without ever making the record feel generic or repetitive. With Resistance, CQ WRESTLING has created an incredible emotional piece of work that everyone should experience at least once.

Score: 10/10

Resistance will be released on 22nd May 2026 via Truth Records.

Words: Hannah Martin

Photos: CQ Wrestling