Vredehammer’s sophomore album, Violator, used to be launched virtually 8 years in the past. The fatal blackened dying file made it onto my first actual best 10 checklist for AMG because of the electrifying power and very good hooks. Successor Viperous slithered into my HM’s, and I can have underrated it at that. It higher the density of sound and used synths for a slick, neon battering ram. So when Metal waved the gorgeous-looking new promo over the author’s pit, I leapt for it so rapid and violently, 3 Melvins are nonetheless in in depth care. Is Vredehammer going 3 for 3 on my end-year checklist?
Now not handiest is it gonna be at the checklist, it will obliterate all of the festival altogether! Evaluating God Slayer to Viperous, In line with Valla (founder and sole bandmember, who does the whole thing apart from drums) claims to have composed God Slayer with an higher center of attention on hooks fairly than velocity. He’s handiest about part proper. Granted, the hooks are many, and they’re razor-sharp, completely addictive, and can stick on your cranium morning til evening. However smartly over part of God Slayer is each bit as expeditious as its predecessor. The outlet salvo is a triple serving of Vredehammer at its highest: muscular riffs at top velocity, Valla’s crunchy growls, and drums now not not like a murderous mechanical device (this time courtesy of Dominator, of Darkish Funeral and Nordjevel popularity). The primary act culminates within the colossal violence of “God Slayer” whose indomitable refrain and epic mid-track construct make me really feel in a position and keen to scale back mountains to rubble with my brow. Take this music into the gymnasium and you are going to be hurling the barbells into the ceiling.
God Slayer by way of Vredehammer
Even though each music is a dinner party of riffs have compatibility for a demigod warlord, every has a transparent, singular identification. “From the Abyss” has an apocalyptic vibe with a focal point on a unmarried primary hook, while “The Joker” makes use of common velocity adjustments and a looser music construction to stay you at the improper foot. There are epic darkish delusion overtones to “The Dragons Burn” and its shimmering tremolos, whilst the livid and feral “Blood of Wolves” lives as much as its name with sheer unbridled aggression. The synths that made such an commercial affair of Viperous are much less distinguished, transferring the focal point again to the guitars, however they go back to the highlight on a couple of events, in particular at the album’s 3rd act. One such instance is “Dying Turns into the New Day,” which sticks out in a line-up of excellence as the only real ‘simply actually excellent’ music, lingering a bit of too lengthy on medium depth. However sizzling on its heels comes the extra-catchy “Product Human Slave” with its dying ‘n roll rhythms and cyberpunk interlude to restart the riff-machine.
If you happen to’re nonetheless looking ahead to a ‘however’ you’ll be able to stay ready. All I were given is a tiny handful of teen nags and niggles, maximum of that have their very own buts. Nearer “Obliterator” isn’t reasonably as memorable as many of the tracks previous it and ends the album a bit of surprising, however it’s nonetheless very spectacular with a killer ascending midsection. The dynamic vary has long past off a cliff from a 9 to a 5, however by hook or by crook the manufacturing comes out none the more serious for put on. The grasp sounds nice, compact and burly however now not overly tiring at the ears in spite of the steadily dense sound and top pace. There’s little detectable lack of affect to the delectable drums, and the combination is spot on, with not anything getting buried or doing the burying.
Vredehammer has time and again demonstrated to be within the higher echelons of blackened dying steel. Violator meshed uncooked energy with addictive hooks, Viperous upped the rate and unflinching perspective. God Slayer combines the most productive of each to turn out to be the height of the band’s illustrious occupation. It’s 5 gallons of adrenaline pumped thru a wrought iron IV. It’s a nuclear educate without a brakes that gained’t even decelerate after it leaves the tracks. It’s addictive like speedballs and victory, and as catchy as Captain Journeys from The Stand. It’s singular in its imaginative and prescient of uncompromising headbangability with all of the number of a really perfect anthology. It’s 40 mins of me short of to bare-knuckle mythological beasts to dying. It’s the most productive album I’ve heard this yr. Get it.
Ranking: 4.5/5.0
DR: 5 | Structure Reviewed: PCIM
Label: Indie Recordings
Web sites: vredehammer.bandcamp.com | vredehammer.no | fb.com/vredehammer
Releases International: Might twenty fourth, 2024
