VENDETTA – World Under Fire
- Posted on 03-03-2012
The UK traditional metal act Vendetta returns for their third full length “World Under Fire”- setting aside various members personal setbacks to deliver possibly their most potent and direct effort to date. Guitarist/ vocalist Edward Box has gone for a grittier vocal approach, hitting some impressive high notes on the early Fifth Angel-like “Veil Of Empathy”. The other 8 songs (beyond the brief 34 second “Convergence” album intro) continue the Vendetta style, intertwining various straightforward deliveries with the occasional neo-classical power bombast to keep the guitar hero brigade satisfied.
The easiest comparisons that come to mind are Judas Priest, Dio, early Dokken and TNT when I take in tracks like “Lords Of Chaos”, mid-tempo riff shaker “The Ghost Inside” and the complex “All Your Setting Suns” where the foursome get a chance to incorporate contrasts in rhythms and textures for a magical experience. Drummer Lee Lamb mixes up his parts with flashy double bass chops on the heavier “Blast Radius” with a simpler, Sunset Strip like groove delivery on “Machtpolitik”- something I wish more percussionists would consider to liven up the arrangements.
Lyrically Edward isn’t afraid to tackle current event topics from an intelligent perspective, as many can relate to the current financial crisis just as easily as the fascination with celebrities or extoling the joys of heavy metal. I also think the band improved upon the production of 2009’s “Heretic Nation” with special attention to a stronger mid-range rhythm guitar foundation, bringing about easier moments to capture your brain matter and get your fist pumping.
“World Under Fire” has the possibility to appeal not only to the age 30 and above market, but also grab a few of the college music major segment who are looking for musicians and bands to study, emulate and grow with. The UK’s Vendetta are the better band to follow of all the acts peddling the name for the metal genre.