I think it was 2020's Rated V that was the last album I heard from deathgaze duo Vazum (made up of Emily Sturm and Zach Pliska). Western Violence is their latest album and brings together twelve tracks described as alternative post-punk. The album was created over nine months which the band describe as a '...manifesto for the disillusioned, a rallying cry for the restless souls seeking truth in the midst of madness'. For my review I gave this two listens, have to say both were excellent times, and before I begin special mention has to go to the awesome cover art, I love it!
I don't remember Vazum sounding this good, but from the energetic opening track 'Western Violence' with its great chorus I was hooked. The tracks mainly follow a pattern of the two members taking it in turns to do lead vocals, with Zach's growling vocals taking centre stage on 'Breach', which had a great backing tune with a repetitive heavy drum beat. Another great one was 'Embryo' with the backing vocals here really complimenting the main vocals. 'Get Out' had an eighties feel to it with the soaring chorus bringing echoes of Debbie Harry.
Coming into the album's middle are the more slow and introspective tracks 'Stellium' (with a Noctourniquet era The Mars Volta sadness to it), 'Blush', 'Done' and 'Acteur', the later two sounding like they could go on forever and not get dull.
'Exile' brings back the heaviness with an almost Nirvana style track with angry sounding vocals, before 'Nightshade' and the fast paced mean sounding 'Precious Ones' closing out the album, lyrics including such lines as 'Cut you out, Eat you like a cancer, Can't rebound, You won't be mourned'.
There was an angry tone to much of the record, with some great backing vocals throughout and a more punk style sound on a few of the tracks than was unexpected. I thought this was a great album that had a real energy to it. Western Violence was released on June 6th which is today at time of publishing.
SCORE:
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