Wasteland (Seether song)

According to Loudwire, the original album version of "Wasteland" received a positive response, leading Seether to push it forward as their new single.^[2] Seether announced the companion EP Wasteland – The Purgatory, which was released digitally and on CD on July 30, 2021, and on vinyl on October 22, 2021. The EP includes the original album version of "Wasteland", three new songs, and an alternate stripped-down version of the track. The alternate stripped-down version of the song was released on June 25, 2021, alongside an accompanying music video, ahead of the EP's release. Frontman Shaun Morgan said he was "especially proud" of how the alternate version turned out and "really happy" that people would finally hear it.^[3] The official music video was released on August 17, 2021.^[4]

Graham Ray of Distorted Sound described "Wasteland" as an anthemic rock song with a dreamy, emotionally fragile chorus featuring Morgan's harmonies.^[5] Travis Lausch of Ultimate Guitar wrote that the song featured Deftones-style chord changes reminiscent of "Hexagram", along with more sophisticated vocal harmonies and instrumental textures.^[6] In a 5/10 review of Wasteland – The Purgatory, Sam Lawrie of Dead Press! wrote that "Wasteland" had powerful guitars contrasted with "buttery" vocals.^[7]

"Wasteland" reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart dated October 30, 2021, becoming Seether's ninth chart-topper. It became the band's third number-one single from Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum, marking the first time they had earned three Mainstream Rock Airplay number ones from the same album. The song also gave them their first streak of three consecutive number-one singles.^[11]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.^[12]