VÄNLADE
“RAGE OF THE GODS”
Album Review By Iron Mathew
9/10
Vänlade are a heavy metal band from the USA formed in 2006 who released their debut album in 2012 and their second album in 2015.
Opening with the title song ‘Rage Of The Gods’, an instrumental of blazing and blistering rhythms the album tone has been set as one of the power and speed metal genres, and when ‘Frozen For All Time’ kicks in, you will not be disappointed. Screaming, high pitched vocals over a twin guitar attack and the album is off and racing. High paced with plenty of power and catchy hooks. Blinding speed and an urgent feel, ‘Jaws Of Life’ is like a rocket speeding into space. For such speed, the precision and playing skills of the band are amazing. Soaring vocals, a screaming guitar solo, this is high speed metal played with the brutality of thrash. ‘Hail The Protector’ is an epic eight minute song, combining mid and high tempo, duelling guitars and a relentless rhythm section. ‘Hail The Protector’ has plenty of variety and will keep the listener entertained throughout all eight minutes.
If it is speed you want, then ‘Hellrazor’ has it in abundance. One of the fastest songs on the album, the vocals are still clean and clear, the guitar riffing is blindingly fast and the rhythm section keeps the pace too. Fans will go crazy and be head banging like their lives depended on it. Best get the emergency services at the ready with neck braces. ‘Moonbound’ is more hard rock than heavy metal and chugs along at a mid tempo pace, no vocals. A chance to show the prowess and skill of the band, this is a superb instrumental. Pace returns and the speed metal ‘Aeons Of Madness’ blasts a massive hole in the airways as it rockets off. Thundering guitars and a rhythm section that is likely to cause an earthquake sees ‘Aeons Of Madness’ pass by in a flash.
Vänlade play high tempo, energetic, full on speed metal and sometimes slow the pace a little, ‘Acid Reign’ is more of mid tempo hard rock song with a heavier guitar sound, the same relentless back line and a frenetic urge to foot stomp and head bang. Here’s the return of speed…’Carnicidal’ romps and stomps a path of destruction in a brutal rage of force. High pitched screaming vocals and a relentless chugging back line keep the song moving on. With hints at the great Over Kill, ‘Carnicidal’ is a mix of thrash, speed and power metal. The album comes to a close with the epic eight minute plus opus ‘As Above, So Below’. Blending heavy and speed metal to create a meandering path of brutality ‘As Above, So Below’ is a sparkling song full of twists and turns and a few surprises too.
Overall, with a blistering pace, this is a high speed, speed metal album full of blazing guitars, relentless rhythms and high pitched vocals..
TRACKLIST
Rage Of The Gods
Frozen For All Time
Jaws Of Life
Hail The Protector
Hellrazor
Moonbound
Aeons Of Madness
Acid Reign
Carnicidal
As Above, So Below
http://www.vanlade.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/vanlade
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