Vindicator – United We Fall review

I like Megadeth therefore I like Vindicator. That’s a pretty simplistic statement, but it’s also a very reliable one. If any of you guys are Megadeth fans, then you will most likely enjoy listening to Vindicator.

I got introduced to Vindicator when Heavy Artillery (great old-school label, dicoverer of Enforcer, Vektor and many other super talented bands, now part of Earache) sent me a promo for Antique Witcheries, the band’s second album out in 2010.

After that awesome record, the band just went under the radar (at least under my radar), and I found out almost by accident that they released their third full-length; United We Fall on Slaney Records earlier this year. And trust me; for less than 10 $/€ (shipping included) you guys can acquire one hell of a thrash record. 

Original singer Marshall Law has quit the band, and the vocals are now handled by mastermind guitarist and composer Vic Stown. The guy hasn’t got THE voice, but he sure knows how to sing. Kind of like Mustaine -from you know what band- uses his vocals smartly. Vindicator also got reinforced by former White Wizzard guitarist James J.LaRue. By the way, White Wizzard already have one of the most impressive “former members list”: 12 past-members listed by Metal Archives, for a band that’s been active since 2007, I say BRAVO!

But let's get back to United We Fall as this record is made out exactly of the type of Thrash Metal I love: it’s rapid, sharp, violent, and aggressive, it’s got some killer riffs, awesome choruses and some outstanding solos. What else could you possibly need??? I’m a huge fan of that old-school Thrash, still close to it’s Heavy Metal and Punk-Rock roots. I mean, I can’t stand the “clinical” Thrash Metal bands, that just accumulate heavy riffs without that hysterical and "close to the edge" feeling. When I listen to Thrash, I want the music to screw with my mind, make me nervous, it has to make me want to go down the street and start a fight.

It also has to make me hate the way our society goes, and just protest over anything! If Thrash bands don’t do that, then who the hell would do it anyway??!!

"Bastards Of Noise And Agression", by Vindicator

And that is why this band reminds me of Megadeth, although musically there are some similarities as well. Just listen to “Nationwide Ruination”, or “Fatal Infection”, you’ll feel that you’re back in the late 80s, somewhere between Rust In Peace and Peace Sells. The similarities are sometimes so obvious that you can recognize some Hangar 18 solo parts here and there. 

Now I don’t need to tell you that there are a million other retro-Thrash bands out there, and some of them are signed on important record labels. They put out their records in fancy boxsets that include patches and wristbands, but when it comes to the music itself, believe me, these little “Bastards Of Noise And Aggression” (Third track, AWESOME song) are above average. I actually feel like mentioning each one of the songs, as they all have something special; like a super riff, a nice chorus, insane solos…

One of my favorite thrashers this year, a MANDATORY purchase of you like Thrash Metal!

YATH

http://www.facebook.com/savindicator

http://www.vindicatormetal.com/

Vektor – Thrash Metal from outer space

Clearly, these 4 guys from Arizona are insane. There are a lot of rumors about people from Arizona, but in terms of Metal, I’d never seen anything that crazy. My first encounter with Vektor was the cover of their first record Black Future (although some might say their Demo Nucleus is in fact the first LP).

That's one nasty cover!

My reaction was “what the hell is this going to sound like??”. And I wasn’t disappointed, as Black Future didn’t sound like anything I’d heard before. This young band genuinely sounded DIFFERENT, really, I had nothing to compare it to. I mean OK; there are some elements here and there. Some might speak about Voivod influences. Yeah, sure, the logos look alike, and they both have Sci-Fi themes. But musically, the comparison is not that obvious.

Needless to say one of the world's most extraordinary bands...

Vektor’s Thrash Metal is insane, full of technical madness, fast, furious, smart, epic, violent and also melodic. Just call it techno-thrash or progressive thrash. There are elements of prog’, black, death, symphonic Metal, can’t really say! And Black Future also contained the awesome & typical fury of a band that’s releasing its first record. Needless to say that that record remained my favorite that year, and I still listen to it regularly.

Now the second album has arrived, and the artwork is again fantastic albeit different from the previous one. This time it has colors and it’s not as dense. It’s rather open and “peaceful” in a way. Is this bad omen for the record? Is it going to contain less fury? Have Vektor gained some sort of sanity?

Another awesome artwork!

Well, to figure that out, you’ll just have to listen to the epic 10+mins opener “Cosmic Cortex”. Yes, these guys are nuts enough to place the longest and most epic song at the beginning of the record. And guess what; it works! That is one hell of a killer track, with lots of variations, awesome riffs and melodies. It’s like the entire force of Vektor brought down to this song, with speed, madness and headbanging power. All doubts are now gone, and the rest of the record is all about freakin’ pleasure.

Everyone will have it’s own favorite songs and features when it comes to Vektor. I personally mostly enjoy David Disanto’s singing. His screamed vocals sound like no other and that way he has of going heavy and acute is unbelievable. I also love the smart and groovy drumming, the insane bass lines and the crazy riffing. Yeah, I totally dig every bit of that band.

Now that is the Thrash Metal Dream Team! 

What’s also really cool with Vektor is that no matter how complex some songs might be, they still are easily memorized, and something special makes you want to listen to them again, and again… Those damn “listening layers” at their best. You can just enjoy the thrash riffing and headbang or listen carefully to distinguish the smart songwriting.

I already have some favorite songs on that one, like the INSANE “Tetrastructural Minds” (What the hell is that??). Just love the guitars on this one! And the opening scream is memorable! Again that track is so complex and somehow, you just want to sing along: amazing!

I also love other songs like “Venus Project” and the very strange “Fast Paced Society”. But you know, the more I listen to it, the more I appreciate the songs differently….

Bottom line is, this album RULES, and the first Vektor record was definetly no accident. This band is one of the best things that’s happened to Thrash Metal over the past 10 years. Yeah, you can quote this one. I already wrote that when the first record came out, and I’m glad these insane dudes from Arizona proved me right with Outer Isolation!

YATH

http://www.facebook.com/VektorOfficial

http://www.heavyartillery.us/