Dead Horse Trauma - Vi-Ops
You may recall us featuring Dead Horse Trauma a while back, and when we did we were blown away by this Des Moines based rock unit. Having now released their new album, Vi-Ops, the band are prepped to break out of Iowa and into the world wide spotlight, presenting us with an album that’s described as taking Dead Horse Trauma ‘to a new level of creativity and overall sound’. The band themselves have said ‘we’ve worked harder than ever and the results are obvious that this will be our best release to date; all killer and no filler. Eight songs that are going to grab you and move you, whether it’s emotionally or physically. This release has bigger riffs, bigger vocals, and an overall highly polished and original sound’ – which sounds pretty cool to me! Based on all of this, I was looking forward to checking out what this album held in store for us, so hit play and settled in to hear what was on offer.
Kicking things off with The Murder Of Crows things get off to a fuzzy, powerful and in your face start, launching us into a pit of electronic sounds before unleashing the full arsenal of power at their disposal. Moving from the strange opening moments into a rolling melee of hammering drums, roving bass lines and distorted guitar work, this track doesn’t take any prisoners, instead opting to power up to beyond eleven and obliterating everything within sight. Raw, powerful, melodic and yet packed with heaviness, as an opening track this does what it should, setting the album up very nicely indeed and showing us that Dead Horse Trauma are back, they’re ready, and they’re about to take over the world. The Head Of The Snake continues this approach further, once again launching us straight into a pit of all devastation and demonstrating just how much work has gone into this record. Blisteringly heavy from the word go, this is a track which is going to separate the men from the boys, offering up a sound that’s raw, heavy, and the sort of thing that’s surely going to unleash some of the biggest pits ever seen when it’s performed live. A serious high point on the record for sure – this is a track to make sure you check out.
Continuing the aural assault into Mockingbird, the onslaught continues, once again pummelling the listener from the word go and unleashing that signature Dead Horse Trauma sound – packed with power and distortion yet with a real sense of melody thrown in to level everything out. It’s striking how the guys have managed to craft such a powerful sound yet, at the same time, have incorporated choruses which are going to get people singing along – something which isn’t easy to do yet the guys seem to have pulled it off with ease. It’s no surprise then that as Reckoning Day comes around, the raw and in your face approach continues, once again shifting their style slightly but continuing to push their sound forwards. Refusing to follow the conventions set out by their peers, it’s striking how the guys have taken their sound, developed it and forged a track that’s intricate and interesting, as well as blisteringly heavy – another moment to make sure you check out when you get a chance.
As the album progresses through the haunting intro of Ballad Of The Plague before moving on to the simply insane Coercion and dark and foreboding Gravitational Pull, each track seems to work with the continuity of the album, not necessarily following the same conventions but still managing to keep the overall ‘bigger picture’ working, backing up what the guys themselves said about putting their all into the record. Interestingly, Menticide seems to be a stand out example of this, not following the design of any of the other tracks on the album yet still managing to craft a sound which incorporates electronic elements, yet ends up as a heavy, in your face and appealing track – I can’t put my finger on it but rest assured, it works.
It’s only left then to Daffodils to close things, seeming to emerge out of the closing moments of the previous track before unleashing hell upon the listener – the chaps saved some of their heaviest moments for the end here. Powerful from the off, the full on approach to this final track may well close off the album, but it does more than that. The final track here is almost like a moment of summary, a moment which showcases their ability, their understanding, and the work that went in to creating this monster of an album – there’s no doubt left as the track closes that this has been an album which has taken a lot of work, and album which has pushed the boundaries of Dead Horse Trauma, and an album that we’ll all be coming back to time and time again.
Dead Horse Trauma have said themselves that this is their best offering to date, and I’m inclined to agree with them. From start to finish we’re presented with tracks that are powerful, raw and packed to the rafters with distortion. The song writing is incredible, and the resulting tracks are songs that will happily go up against even the most established of metal bands. If you’re looking for a band to check out that are quite simply going to blow your mind – this is them – arise Dead Horse Trauma – your world awaits you.
To find out more about Dead Horse Trauma, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Kicking things off with The Murder Of Crows things get off to a fuzzy, powerful and in your face start, launching us into a pit of electronic sounds before unleashing the full arsenal of power at their disposal. Moving from the strange opening moments into a rolling melee of hammering drums, roving bass lines and distorted guitar work, this track doesn’t take any prisoners, instead opting to power up to beyond eleven and obliterating everything within sight. Raw, powerful, melodic and yet packed with heaviness, as an opening track this does what it should, setting the album up very nicely indeed and showing us that Dead Horse Trauma are back, they’re ready, and they’re about to take over the world. The Head Of The Snake continues this approach further, once again launching us straight into a pit of all devastation and demonstrating just how much work has gone into this record. Blisteringly heavy from the word go, this is a track which is going to separate the men from the boys, offering up a sound that’s raw, heavy, and the sort of thing that’s surely going to unleash some of the biggest pits ever seen when it’s performed live. A serious high point on the record for sure – this is a track to make sure you check out.
Continuing the aural assault into Mockingbird, the onslaught continues, once again pummelling the listener from the word go and unleashing that signature Dead Horse Trauma sound – packed with power and distortion yet with a real sense of melody thrown in to level everything out. It’s striking how the guys have managed to craft such a powerful sound yet, at the same time, have incorporated choruses which are going to get people singing along – something which isn’t easy to do yet the guys seem to have pulled it off with ease. It’s no surprise then that as Reckoning Day comes around, the raw and in your face approach continues, once again shifting their style slightly but continuing to push their sound forwards. Refusing to follow the conventions set out by their peers, it’s striking how the guys have taken their sound, developed it and forged a track that’s intricate and interesting, as well as blisteringly heavy – another moment to make sure you check out when you get a chance.
As the album progresses through the haunting intro of Ballad Of The Plague before moving on to the simply insane Coercion and dark and foreboding Gravitational Pull, each track seems to work with the continuity of the album, not necessarily following the same conventions but still managing to keep the overall ‘bigger picture’ working, backing up what the guys themselves said about putting their all into the record. Interestingly, Menticide seems to be a stand out example of this, not following the design of any of the other tracks on the album yet still managing to craft a sound which incorporates electronic elements, yet ends up as a heavy, in your face and appealing track – I can’t put my finger on it but rest assured, it works.
It’s only left then to Daffodils to close things, seeming to emerge out of the closing moments of the previous track before unleashing hell upon the listener – the chaps saved some of their heaviest moments for the end here. Powerful from the off, the full on approach to this final track may well close off the album, but it does more than that. The final track here is almost like a moment of summary, a moment which showcases their ability, their understanding, and the work that went in to creating this monster of an album – there’s no doubt left as the track closes that this has been an album which has taken a lot of work, and album which has pushed the boundaries of Dead Horse Trauma, and an album that we’ll all be coming back to time and time again.
Dead Horse Trauma have said themselves that this is their best offering to date, and I’m inclined to agree with them. From start to finish we’re presented with tracks that are powerful, raw and packed to the rafters with distortion. The song writing is incredible, and the resulting tracks are songs that will happily go up against even the most established of metal bands. If you’re looking for a band to check out that are quite simply going to blow your mind – this is them – arise Dead Horse Trauma – your world awaits you.
To find out more about Dead Horse Trauma, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Dead Horse Trauma
We were recently contacted by Dead Horse Trauma from Des Moines Iowa, about their new album to see what we thought. About to go out on tour with Gabriel And The Apocalypse as well as the mighty American Head Charge, these guys describe themselves as ‘A 5 man war maching using some of the methods our world uses on a daily basis to brainwash the masses and produce a permanent scar on the face of our music industry – the music that forever takes residence in your mind like a welcome parasite –it’s your wake up call’ – which sounds pretty good to me! (Note – the following tracks are from their Facebook page so don’t necessarily represent the order or tracks from the album).
Opening with Disbelief (which only features Myke Terry - ex Bury Your Dead!) you’re thrown into a melee of bass and drums, heavy and distorted already – then in comes the riff. Underpinning everything with a rolling bass beat, the guitars take the lead before ushering in the vocals, raw, edgy and heavy – this is one hell of an introduction to a band. Almost funky in the timing, the track powers onwards into a powerful section of spat vocals and soaring guitar riffs, the effect created is not only heavy but somehow melodic whilst also somehow sounding disjointed. Keeping the guitars roving around the necks, suddenly everything takes on a more melodic approach and seems to break – the result is something even more powerful than before – epic doesn’t come close to describing this! Continuing on their distorted journey up until the moment the track ends, I honestly had to replay this track several times just to make sure I hadn’t imagined it, this is one hell of a track!
Syndrome opens and seems to chill everything out for a moment, keeping the guitars soft and building before kicking back into distorted riffs and those roaring vocals. The guitars take on a simpler approach in this track meaning your focus is drawn to the vocals and drums – the vocals telling the story whilst the drums pound away setting the pace in the background. Keeping things going in this vein throughout, this is a track which demonstrates what this band can do, they can write a track which is somehow relentlessly heavy yet melodically soft at the same time. Unspoken seems to continue the theme of the tracks so far, opening with a bass line before bringing in some heavy assed guitars all pinned together with an almighty roar. Alternating the vocals between the roaring and spitting, you’re drawn into this track and dragged along for the ride. Rolling drums pummel you at every turn whilst you continue to twist and turn through the tracks progression – this is another unrelenting example of why this band are out there supporting the likes of American Head Charge, they could easily be occupying serious slots on festivals over in this country.
Cadaver is probably my favourite track from the selection here, opening as it means to go on with a sludgy guitar riff before kicking in to a simple beat which just carries you along with the wave. This track is sure to be a live favourite with the fast paced vocals roving around over the rolling drums, riffing guitars and awesome bass line. Again they’ve managed to achieve a sense of melody within the heaviness here, something which can often be lost when guitars are turned to this level of reverb – but the result is once again awesome. As it fades and final track Infestation comes into being, you’re left with no doubt in your mind that what you’ve heard is something which you’ll hear again. Opening dark and ominous with a clean yet somehow dark guitar line, the riff kicks in surrounded by rolling drums and backing synth creating a sound so massive it will shake the floor boards. Opting for the rapid vocals once again, this track is another harmonic and melodic track which will draw you into a sense of safety then kick your face in with the heaviness. Alternating the beat throughout the track to keep it alive and interesting, this finishes the selection here perfectly and will definitely leave you wanting more.
Any band who can pull in a name like Myke Terry are obviously doing something right, but I’m still left questioning why we haven’t heard them over on these shores. Their music is heavy but accessible and melodic, distorted yet clean in places – altogether a combination which is sure to satisfy any metal fan out there. I’m seriously hoping they manage to find time around their touring schedule to send me a copy of their album in full so I can check it out properly as all this has done is make me want to hear more!
To find out more about Dead Horse Trauma, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Opening with Disbelief (which only features Myke Terry - ex Bury Your Dead!) you’re thrown into a melee of bass and drums, heavy and distorted already – then in comes the riff. Underpinning everything with a rolling bass beat, the guitars take the lead before ushering in the vocals, raw, edgy and heavy – this is one hell of an introduction to a band. Almost funky in the timing, the track powers onwards into a powerful section of spat vocals and soaring guitar riffs, the effect created is not only heavy but somehow melodic whilst also somehow sounding disjointed. Keeping the guitars roving around the necks, suddenly everything takes on a more melodic approach and seems to break – the result is something even more powerful than before – epic doesn’t come close to describing this! Continuing on their distorted journey up until the moment the track ends, I honestly had to replay this track several times just to make sure I hadn’t imagined it, this is one hell of a track!
Syndrome opens and seems to chill everything out for a moment, keeping the guitars soft and building before kicking back into distorted riffs and those roaring vocals. The guitars take on a simpler approach in this track meaning your focus is drawn to the vocals and drums – the vocals telling the story whilst the drums pound away setting the pace in the background. Keeping things going in this vein throughout, this is a track which demonstrates what this band can do, they can write a track which is somehow relentlessly heavy yet melodically soft at the same time. Unspoken seems to continue the theme of the tracks so far, opening with a bass line before bringing in some heavy assed guitars all pinned together with an almighty roar. Alternating the vocals between the roaring and spitting, you’re drawn into this track and dragged along for the ride. Rolling drums pummel you at every turn whilst you continue to twist and turn through the tracks progression – this is another unrelenting example of why this band are out there supporting the likes of American Head Charge, they could easily be occupying serious slots on festivals over in this country.
Cadaver is probably my favourite track from the selection here, opening as it means to go on with a sludgy guitar riff before kicking in to a simple beat which just carries you along with the wave. This track is sure to be a live favourite with the fast paced vocals roving around over the rolling drums, riffing guitars and awesome bass line. Again they’ve managed to achieve a sense of melody within the heaviness here, something which can often be lost when guitars are turned to this level of reverb – but the result is once again awesome. As it fades and final track Infestation comes into being, you’re left with no doubt in your mind that what you’ve heard is something which you’ll hear again. Opening dark and ominous with a clean yet somehow dark guitar line, the riff kicks in surrounded by rolling drums and backing synth creating a sound so massive it will shake the floor boards. Opting for the rapid vocals once again, this track is another harmonic and melodic track which will draw you into a sense of safety then kick your face in with the heaviness. Alternating the beat throughout the track to keep it alive and interesting, this finishes the selection here perfectly and will definitely leave you wanting more.
Any band who can pull in a name like Myke Terry are obviously doing something right, but I’m still left questioning why we haven’t heard them over on these shores. Their music is heavy but accessible and melodic, distorted yet clean in places – altogether a combination which is sure to satisfy any metal fan out there. I’m seriously hoping they manage to find time around their touring schedule to send me a copy of their album in full so I can check it out properly as all this has done is make me want to hear more!
To find out more about Dead Horse Trauma, check out their Facebook page HERE.