Wade MacNeil is a Canadian musician currently active as the vocalist of the hardcore punk bandGallows, and the vocalist/guitarist/founder of the punk band Black Lungs. He is also the lead guitarist, backing vocalist, as well one of the founding members of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. MacNeil has featured as a guest vocalist for songs by various other artists, including "St. Andrews" by Bedouin Soundclash, "Deathsmarch" by Cancer Bats, "Widower" by Johnny Truant, "The Gret Depression" by Anti-Flag and "She Upon the Black Wolf" by The Banner. MacNeil was also the weekend afternoon announcer on CFNY-FM Toronto from November 2014 to August 2018.
Music career
With Alexisonfire
MacNeil co-founded Alexisonfire in the fall of 2001 after being phoned by Dallas Green, who asked for MacNeil's assistance in getting Green's band at the time, Helicon Blue, some shows in the area. MacNeil, having just left the band "After the Hallowed Moment", had been jamming with drummer Jesse Ingelevics, and asked Green if he wanted to start a band with him. Green accepted, and the 3 jammed together, with both MacNeil and Green on guitar and vocals, which was later cited as the first Alexisonfire practice together. Chris Steele, who was an active member alongside MacNeil in the bands "Plan 9" and "After the Hallowed Moment", assumed the role of bass player. MacNeil recruited George Pettit, after having seen him perform as the bassist in the metal band Condemning Salem, a band which Pettit expressed great discontent in playing in.
With Gallows
Frank Carter the original vocalist of UK hardcore band Gallows announced in early July 2011 that he would be leaving Gallows because of differing opinions in writing the band follow-up album to their second release Grey Britain. His departure was effective on August 1 after the band's final tour dates. Just eight days after Frank's departure, on the August 9, 2011, MacNeil was confirmed as the new Gallows vocalist. MacNeil has stated that the members of Gallows asked him initially out of coincidence that Alexisonfire had disbanded and Gallows needed a new singer. The band completed a debut release with Wade, Death Is Birth, a four trackextended play which was released on December 13 of that year. The ep was sold as a 7" vinyl record. A music video for True Colours was released and Mondo Chaos was released in a single format. Gallows have announced the release date of their eponymous third album to be September 10, 2012. The album was produced, mixed and mastered by Spycatcher members Thomas Mitchener and Steve Sears at Watford's Broadfields Studio and will be released via the band's new label Venn Records in partnership with PIAS Recordings. The album will also be released and distributed in the United States through Bridge Nine Records. It is the first Gallows full-length to feature MacNeil on lead vocals and the second official release overall after 2011's Death Is Birth EP.
In film
Wade is credited as a composer for. After attending a Habs game with Jay Baruchel, Wade created songs for the film, that he describes as "to be all things that sound like you could turn up to 10 in an arena." In 2018, Wade partnered with Andrew Gordon Macpherson to create the score for the film "The Ranger".
In video games
Wade again partnered with Andrew Gordon Macpherson in 2018 to create the soundtrack to Far Cry 5's arcade mode.
