Vanadium - Heaven's Epithet Of Lives Lost
We’ve featured Vanadium before, so when we were sent through a copy of their latest EP ‘Heaven’s Epithet Of Lives Lost’, I was pretty excited to hear what they’d been up to. Described as ‘featuring 5 brand new statements of pure heavy metal’, this record is the result of hard work, determination, and a drive to create heavy assed metal designed to melt your face and piss off your neighbours.
Opening with Epithet we’re led slowly into the record by a deep and ominous guitar tone, a slight echo adding a sense of depth to things and creating a sense that this is merely a lead in, a moment to acclimatise to what is to come if you will. Continuing along the melodic journey through the track, slowly but surely the way to Nailstorm is paved, suddenly unleashing all hell and hammering forth with an almighty roar of guitar, hammering drums and roaring vocals. The opening moments of this track set the tone for what is to follow, immediately getting you reaching for the volume up button so you can fully appreciate the rolling double bass, roaring vocals and intricate guitar work on offer. Heavy bass rhythms abound as bit by bit, the track is revealed, twisting and turning through alternated time signatures designed to get crowds circling, pits moving, and venues shaking. To me, this sounds like a track which is going to find even more power on the live scene, hammering out fast, thrashy moments and slower more bludgeoning riffs designed to simply obliterate anything in its path. Even going so far as to throw in a solo of simply epic proportions, this track is metal in its truest form, and one which you can’t afford to not hear!
As The World Opens continues this approach from the off, immediately kicking into an intricate guitar line backed up by faced paced riffery and insane drum work, the mix immediately grabbing you by the eyeballs and dragging you back into the pit. Somehow managing to harness even more venom and power through this track, once again we’re treated to twists and turns, refusing to settle for a simplistic route through the track and instead, differentiating their approach where ever they see the chance. Imagine Lamb Of God mixed with Machine Head and early Trivium (you know, when they were still good and actually roared!) and you’ll be getting somewhere close to the mix on offer here. Almost seeming to mix prog elements with all out thrash metal, the band have taken a sound which could be relatively simple, and made it their own, adding in tweaks, twists, turns and approaches that lift the mix into something more complex and altogether more interesting. Shifting into Frost On The Sun for another intermediary track, once again we’re allowed a moment to reflect on what’s going on, offering a brief respite from the all out destruction on offer so you can fully prepare yourself for what is to follow.
What we’re led onto is Midnight In Eden, another track which packs a hell of a punch from the word go. Kicking straight into a rolling melee of drum work, bass heavy rhythms, insane guitar lines and those awesome guttural vocals, this track doesn’t mess about and instead, goes straight for the jugular. What’s interesting here though is the break section, introducing a softer vocal to lift the mix and showing that there’s more than just distortion to these guys. Once again seeming to combine hints of progressive rock with the all out metal, we’re led through a track full in intricacies and classically influenced approaches, all of which demonstrate the abilities on offer here. Most notable perhaps is the bands willingness to allow each and every element to have a place, mixing things to allow each instrument to shine through at different points in the track, from lead solos through to bass solos and drumlines which will make you wish you’d listened more in music lessons.
Working through another interim track in the form of Lives Lost, we’re soon led up to the introduction of A Rose All Evil Chose, once again raising the bar of expectation and showing just what they’re capable of. If we thought that we’d seen some accomplished stuff in the lead up to this track then those were simply warm up tracks, this is a seriously high point on the EP and a moment which shows that these guys aren’t just here, they’re ready to take over. Rolling double bass combines with hammering riffs to create a wall of sound, building on this with roaring vocals and heavy bass rhythms to form a sound which will penetrate deep into your soul, shake your rib cage until your chest explodes, then still leave you wanting more. Heavy, fast, raw, angry and downright insane in places, this is a track which I have to see live, and a moment you need to make sure you check out.
Closing with Legion Of I we’re left in the same way as the album began, seriously heavy, in your face, and packed to the rafters with everything distorted. Fast paced and rolling from the word go, this is another track which is going to get pits moving, people begging for more, and a serious reputation being built for Vanadium. It’s that old cliché of finishing on a high and leaving the audience wanting more, but they’ve bloody well done it, they’ve managed to finish an EP in an epic manner which will leave you sat back wishing the record would just keep going on and on.
It’s rare that a band comes in and properly grounds me nowadays, there tends to be a lot of repetition in the industry with copy cats of mainstream acts coming out and trying to be the bands they grew up listening to – that’s not what’s happened here. Vanadium have taken metal and made it their own, stamping their authority on it and quite simply, making it their bitch. This is an EP which doesn’t just signal their arrival, it’s an EP which will sit in your CD player for years, then you’ll come back to it time and time again. This is a moment in the history of metal that in years to come, people will talk about – and this is a band that in years to come, we’ll still be hearing a hell of a lot more from.
Trust me – you need to hear this record.
To find out more about Vanadium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with Epithet we’re led slowly into the record by a deep and ominous guitar tone, a slight echo adding a sense of depth to things and creating a sense that this is merely a lead in, a moment to acclimatise to what is to come if you will. Continuing along the melodic journey through the track, slowly but surely the way to Nailstorm is paved, suddenly unleashing all hell and hammering forth with an almighty roar of guitar, hammering drums and roaring vocals. The opening moments of this track set the tone for what is to follow, immediately getting you reaching for the volume up button so you can fully appreciate the rolling double bass, roaring vocals and intricate guitar work on offer. Heavy bass rhythms abound as bit by bit, the track is revealed, twisting and turning through alternated time signatures designed to get crowds circling, pits moving, and venues shaking. To me, this sounds like a track which is going to find even more power on the live scene, hammering out fast, thrashy moments and slower more bludgeoning riffs designed to simply obliterate anything in its path. Even going so far as to throw in a solo of simply epic proportions, this track is metal in its truest form, and one which you can’t afford to not hear!
As The World Opens continues this approach from the off, immediately kicking into an intricate guitar line backed up by faced paced riffery and insane drum work, the mix immediately grabbing you by the eyeballs and dragging you back into the pit. Somehow managing to harness even more venom and power through this track, once again we’re treated to twists and turns, refusing to settle for a simplistic route through the track and instead, differentiating their approach where ever they see the chance. Imagine Lamb Of God mixed with Machine Head and early Trivium (you know, when they were still good and actually roared!) and you’ll be getting somewhere close to the mix on offer here. Almost seeming to mix prog elements with all out thrash metal, the band have taken a sound which could be relatively simple, and made it their own, adding in tweaks, twists, turns and approaches that lift the mix into something more complex and altogether more interesting. Shifting into Frost On The Sun for another intermediary track, once again we’re allowed a moment to reflect on what’s going on, offering a brief respite from the all out destruction on offer so you can fully prepare yourself for what is to follow.
What we’re led onto is Midnight In Eden, another track which packs a hell of a punch from the word go. Kicking straight into a rolling melee of drum work, bass heavy rhythms, insane guitar lines and those awesome guttural vocals, this track doesn’t mess about and instead, goes straight for the jugular. What’s interesting here though is the break section, introducing a softer vocal to lift the mix and showing that there’s more than just distortion to these guys. Once again seeming to combine hints of progressive rock with the all out metal, we’re led through a track full in intricacies and classically influenced approaches, all of which demonstrate the abilities on offer here. Most notable perhaps is the bands willingness to allow each and every element to have a place, mixing things to allow each instrument to shine through at different points in the track, from lead solos through to bass solos and drumlines which will make you wish you’d listened more in music lessons.
Working through another interim track in the form of Lives Lost, we’re soon led up to the introduction of A Rose All Evil Chose, once again raising the bar of expectation and showing just what they’re capable of. If we thought that we’d seen some accomplished stuff in the lead up to this track then those were simply warm up tracks, this is a seriously high point on the EP and a moment which shows that these guys aren’t just here, they’re ready to take over. Rolling double bass combines with hammering riffs to create a wall of sound, building on this with roaring vocals and heavy bass rhythms to form a sound which will penetrate deep into your soul, shake your rib cage until your chest explodes, then still leave you wanting more. Heavy, fast, raw, angry and downright insane in places, this is a track which I have to see live, and a moment you need to make sure you check out.
Closing with Legion Of I we’re left in the same way as the album began, seriously heavy, in your face, and packed to the rafters with everything distorted. Fast paced and rolling from the word go, this is another track which is going to get pits moving, people begging for more, and a serious reputation being built for Vanadium. It’s that old cliché of finishing on a high and leaving the audience wanting more, but they’ve bloody well done it, they’ve managed to finish an EP in an epic manner which will leave you sat back wishing the record would just keep going on and on.
It’s rare that a band comes in and properly grounds me nowadays, there tends to be a lot of repetition in the industry with copy cats of mainstream acts coming out and trying to be the bands they grew up listening to – that’s not what’s happened here. Vanadium have taken metal and made it their own, stamping their authority on it and quite simply, making it their bitch. This is an EP which doesn’t just signal their arrival, it’s an EP which will sit in your CD player for years, then you’ll come back to it time and time again. This is a moment in the history of metal that in years to come, people will talk about – and this is a band that in years to come, we’ll still be hearing a hell of a lot more from.
Trust me – you need to hear this record.
To find out more about Vanadium, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Vanadium
Adam from Exeter based Vanadium was good enough to get in touch and let us know about some tracks they’ve produced. I’ve had a listen to see what I thought of them! Describing themselves as having a blend of hard punishing vocals with searing vocals, melodic choruses and a solid intricate rhythm section I was looking forward to checking out what was on offer.
Azrael opens with pounding drums, roaring vocals and slamming guitars from the outset, using the double bass on the drums for effect the band immediately opens with a no holds barred approach. Suddenly though the mood changes and the most almighty and powerfully intense chorus kicks in using cleaned up vocals but losing none of the heaviness achieved to this point. This contract in the track keeps it interesting and intriguing throughout, something which is certainly welcomed by me when it comes to music! Breaking down part way through the track, this band show off every ounce of their ability throughout, it’s a constant assault on your ear drums as you listen to it but one which is quite simply awesome.
Moving on to Mourning Star there’s no break as the track opens with intricate lead lines and pumping backing rhythm guitars underpinned by bass and drums which roll ever onwards. Again using the double bass pedal to the best of its ability, the vocals kick in and continue to push the track to new levels. Using the different layers of vocals again, this track is reminiscent of older Trivium stuff (when they were good!), using all of the elements of the band to create a sound beyond anything I had expected from a 4 piece. Pushing up to the last minute, with one track left to go I was left wondering what on earth was to come next.
Final track from the selection is Grim Haul, opening with spooky vocals and cleanly picked guitars (think Metallica Battery). Melodic from the outset, suddenly the heaviness kicks in full tilt using syncopated beats and raging guitar lines, chugging along with the drums keeping the sound full as before. Again adopting a rolling style, this track again pushes onwards, setting a pace and never faltering from it. The vocals once again take the lead and steal the show, using the different styles throughout to keep the sound new and appealing from start to finish.
What can I say about Vanadium, they’re heavy for sure, and melodic, and use intricate guitar lines with contrasting vocals throughout. This is a band who I think could well be destined to be big, providing they stick with their style. If you’re questioning why you should listen to them, think about this. This band feature heavy guitars, pounding drums, contrasted vocals, solos and some of the most melodic choruses I’ve come across from a metal band. Anyone who doesn’t check them out is quite simply missing out – it’s that simple.
This is a band I hope to hear a lot more from over the coming months/years and wish them all the best – stick with what you’ve got as it’s a winner!
To find out more about Vanadium and to hear some of their tracks, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Azrael opens with pounding drums, roaring vocals and slamming guitars from the outset, using the double bass on the drums for effect the band immediately opens with a no holds barred approach. Suddenly though the mood changes and the most almighty and powerfully intense chorus kicks in using cleaned up vocals but losing none of the heaviness achieved to this point. This contract in the track keeps it interesting and intriguing throughout, something which is certainly welcomed by me when it comes to music! Breaking down part way through the track, this band show off every ounce of their ability throughout, it’s a constant assault on your ear drums as you listen to it but one which is quite simply awesome.
Moving on to Mourning Star there’s no break as the track opens with intricate lead lines and pumping backing rhythm guitars underpinned by bass and drums which roll ever onwards. Again using the double bass pedal to the best of its ability, the vocals kick in and continue to push the track to new levels. Using the different layers of vocals again, this track is reminiscent of older Trivium stuff (when they were good!), using all of the elements of the band to create a sound beyond anything I had expected from a 4 piece. Pushing up to the last minute, with one track left to go I was left wondering what on earth was to come next.
Final track from the selection is Grim Haul, opening with spooky vocals and cleanly picked guitars (think Metallica Battery). Melodic from the outset, suddenly the heaviness kicks in full tilt using syncopated beats and raging guitar lines, chugging along with the drums keeping the sound full as before. Again adopting a rolling style, this track again pushes onwards, setting a pace and never faltering from it. The vocals once again take the lead and steal the show, using the different styles throughout to keep the sound new and appealing from start to finish.
What can I say about Vanadium, they’re heavy for sure, and melodic, and use intricate guitar lines with contrasting vocals throughout. This is a band who I think could well be destined to be big, providing they stick with their style. If you’re questioning why you should listen to them, think about this. This band feature heavy guitars, pounding drums, contrasted vocals, solos and some of the most melodic choruses I’ve come across from a metal band. Anyone who doesn’t check them out is quite simply missing out – it’s that simple.
This is a band I hope to hear a lot more from over the coming months/years and wish them all the best – stick with what you’ve got as it’s a winner!
To find out more about Vanadium and to hear some of their tracks, check out their Facebook page HERE.