There’s a particular kind of tension that builds in the moments before a name change announcement drops. For the group formerly known as Hand of the Wicked, it wasn’t just a press release—it was the end of one era, and the beginning of another, forged by respect, circumstance, and a conviction that’s always been at the center of their music.
On a muggy July afternoon, Guatemala Summer Records and the band drew a line in the sand: effective immediately, Hand of the Wicked would become Fate of the Wicked. In the world of heavy music, names are more than marketing. They’re banners, manifestos, and at times, shields. The story behind this particular shift is layered with drama, integrity, and a commitment to the scene that sets Fate of the Wicked apart.
From their inception, Hand of the Wicked was never content to play by the rules. Most bands lay claim to “international” status with a single overseas tour; this group lived it from day one, splitting their lineup and spirit between Seymour, Indiana and São Paulo, Brazil. That cross-continental energy bled into every sweaty rehearsal, every lyric spat into a mic, every riff heavy enough to rattle the pews of the churches they sometimes played.
But before they were Fate of the Wicked, before the name change or the label deal, they were just a handful of musicians scattered across two hemispheres, united by a shared faith and a hunger to make something honest. The members, unashamedly Christian, drew from the well of metalcore and hard rock, blending crushing breakdowns with melodies that soared like prayers. Their lyrics didn’t preach—they confronted. Darkness, addiction, doubt, and redemption: nothing was off limits. For them, spirituality was less a theme and more a lens, a way to stare into the abyss and refuse to blink.
On paper, “Hand of the Wicked” was a name with teeth—biblical, menacing, ambiguous enough to fit a dozen subgenres. But in February 2025, the band’s world got smaller. An unrelated black metal outfit from Fayetteville, Arkansas, released new music under the same moniker. For fans searching on Spotify or Apple Music, the overlap was immediate and confusing.
In an era where digital presence can make or break a band, this wasn’t a minor inconvenience. For the Indiana-Brazilian crew, it was a moment of reckoning. They could have dug in, hired lawyers, and fought for the name. Instead, they took the high road—a decision rooted as much in respect for the underground scene as in strategic clarity. “We didn’t want to muddy the waters or undercut another band,” a spokesperson explained. “We’d rather be known for our music and our message than for a battle over branding.”
It’s not easy to abandon a name that’s carried you through years of touring, writing, and struggle. But as the dust settled, the band didn’t just choose a replacement at random. “Fate of the Wicked” hits even harder, both musically and theologically. It’s a name that leans into the group’s roots—still intense, still biblical, but with a sense of finality and clarity.
“The wicked—what becomes of them? That’s the question we’re always wrestling with, musically and spiritually,” says the band. “There’s judgment, yes, but also mercy and transformation. Our songs reflect that tension.”
The new name is a mirror, reflecting not just doom, but the possibility of redemption. It’s the sound of a band doubling down on what made them unique, refusing to compromise on message or identity.
If you want to understand Fate of the Wicked, you have to feel the music in your bones. This isn’t Christian rock as a punchline—this is Christian metalcore and hard rock as a battering ram, demolishing clichés and carving out space for something raw and real. The riffs are brutal, the hooks stick, and the lyrics pull no punches. In a genre that sometimes leans into nihilism or empty bravado, Fate of the Wicked brings a message of confrontation: not just with the darkness outside, but with the demons within.
The band’s connection to both Indiana and Brazil gives them a flavor you won’t find anywhere else. Brazilian rhythms and American breakdowns collide, creating a sound that’s as unpredictable as it is undeniable. This melting pot has roots in the global Christian metal scene, which has thrived in both regions—Indiana’s long history of faith-fueled hardcore and Brazil’s explosive, passionate metal community.
Backing the band is Guatemala Summer Records, a label with a vision: empowering artists who don’t just want to make noise, but want to make a difference. The label’s roots in Christian rock and metal make it the perfect home for Fate of the Wicked, and the support goes beyond streaming and sales. “This wasn’t about backing down, it was just the right thing to do,” says Jaredith Mize of the label. “Fate of the Wicked is a name that fits even better, and the music coming this summer will speak for itself.”
Guatemala Summer Records is positioning itself as a haven for bands who want to challenge, uplift, and provoke thought, without sacrificing heaviness. Their roster reflects that commitment, and Fate of the Wicked is now front and center.
With the name change behind them, Fate of the Wicked is sprinting toward the release of their debut album, slated for August 2025. The rollout is ambitious—two singles will drop in July across all platforms, each one a statement of intent. The band’s social channels have already begun to buzz with anticipation, and the label is promising a campaign that will put the group on the map for fans of metalcore, hard rock, and boundary-pushing faith-driven music.
What can listeners expect? If the band’s past work is any indication, the album will be a blend of the sacred and the profane, the beautiful and the brutal. Expect tracks that rage against spiritual apathy, that mourn loss, that celebrate survival. Expect a sound that’s global, but rooted. Expect a record that’s as likely to be discussed in seminary classrooms as it is to be blasted in mosh pits.
It’s easy to be cynical about name changes—they’re often seen as PR moves, desperate attempts to freshen a brand or dodge controversy. But in the case of Fate of the Wicked, the response from the scene has been overwhelmingly positive. Fans and fellow bands alike recognize the integrity behind the decision. In a world where ego and legal battles often take center stage, the group’s refusal to fight over a name has earned them new respect.
The Arkansas black metal band, meanwhile, continues on its own path, and both groups are now free to carve their own identities without confusion. In the end, the biggest winner is the music itself.
Fate of the Wicked isn’t just a new name—it’s a manifesto. With members in Indiana and Brazil, and a label that believes in their mission, the band is poised to make a mark not just in their own niche, but across the global metal scene. Their sound is heavy, their message is hopeful, and their resolve is ironclad.
As the first singles drop and the debut album approaches, all eyes are on Fate of the Wicked. For a band that’s always stood for more than just the music, this is the start of something bigger—something that might just redefine what it means to bring faith into the pit.