Vendetta Heretic Nation
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
If you are a fan of the Richard Dawkins’ book “The God Delusion,” your new favorite band is going to be Vendetta. Not only did they title their sophomore effort Heretic Nation, but they clearly wrote the soundtrack to the entire Atheist movement with their song “Delusion.” If you wrap that entirely Metal mindset around an album that is sonically Traditional Metal in every way, Heretic Nation should takes the masses by storm.
Heretic Nation’s first track is the biting “Delusion,” a racing anthem featuring mammoth riffs from Edward Box and Pete Thompson. Box is a burgeoning guitar hero in his own right, with a three instrumental under his belt, but he also mans the microphone in Vendetta. In an interview with Hardrock Haven, Box stated that he wrote the lyrics and cannot speak for the rest of the band, but you know how he feels when he snarls the chorus of, “This hate of humankind, it’s intelligent design, and you believe in angels!” It’s as mocking as it is forthright. The heated riffs during the verses align themselves with the fury of Box’s dissecting lyrics, and the guitar solo is traditional as well, closer to Iron Maiden than Yngwie Malmsteen. This is one of the best Metal songs recorded in years.
Galloping riffs greet you on “Age of Annihilation.” One unique aspect to Vendetta’s sound is that their backing vocals are spare, with Box handling the majority of the choruses himself. This is not uber-polished, multi-tracked nonsense that bands create in the studio and can’t play live; their goal is to be able to play note for note live what you hear on Heretic Nation. The almost doomy riffs before the solo pull you in, and the guitar solo is another nod back to the day when feel and precision meant more than just speed.
While Vendetta is a heavy band, you will think of Joey Tempest when you hear the opening of “My Revelation,” as Box vocalizes a “Ohhh-yeah!” That aside, this fevered track is one of the heaviest vocally, with Box adding a Mustaine-like disdain to his vocals. Riff-wise, you may think about bands like Metal Church as well, with serrated, glowering riffs. “My Revelation,” overall, is probably the second best song on Heretic Nation, next to “Delusion.”
There isn’t as much diversity on the release as perhaps there could be. By the time you hit “Killing Time” you are almost ready to hear Vendetta try something new, a different tempo, less caustic riffs and maybe richer vocal melodies. It’s not until “The Space Between” that Vendetta lays off the pedal and lets you breathe. Nearly a mid-tempo rocker, “The Space Between” owns a slower groove and also features the most melodic chorus. This allows Vendetta to tear into more guitar leads after the chorus and the spaces between verses. Box is a blunt when he talks about his vocals, and how they needed to step up on the new release, and it’s clear that his vocals are now one of the trademark Vendetta ingredients and not a weakness, but a strength.
Vendetta does everything right on Heretic Nation. “Delusion” alone is worth the cost of the entire release, but there’s actually 10 songs here that succeed in their own distinct way. If you want to have blind faith in something, have faith that Heretic Nation is one killer Heavy Metal release. Your faith will actually be rewarded.
Online: http://www.vendetta-theband.com/
Label: Lion Music
Track listing:
1. Delusion
2. Age Of Annihilation
3. New Horizon
4. My Revelation
5. Skaro
6. A Glass Half Empty
7. Killing Time
8. Face Your Demons
9. The Space Between
10. Powers That Be
Hardrock Haven rating: 8.2/10