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Artist: Vindictiv |
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Stefan Lindholm is the
mastermind behind Sweden’s Vindictiv along with vocalist Goran Edman, who
together with Nalle Pahlsson and Mikael Wikman, first brought Vindictiv to light
with their self-titled debut back in 2007.
Since then Wikman has left the band and Zoltan Csorsz replaces him on the drum stool, although the nucleus of the band that impressed with the debut still remains. Edman isn’t the only
vocal force on this the bands new album, as the band are joined by none
other than Oliver Hartman for three songs and one Mark Boals for another,
with all three vocalist writing the lyrics for songs. Add in the
fact that Chris Laney mixed the album and you have all the right ingredients are here for what is a great
album of majestic Melodic Metal. The album gets underway with ‘Modern World’ and like the debut, the stars of the show are Edman and Lindholm, both great at what they do. Since the debut the pair have pushed the envelope a little to produce a more richer Vindictiv sound which really makes this album stand out from the rest. Add to that the stellar work of a fantastic rhythm section of Pahlsson and Csorsz and the wondrous keyboards of Pontus Larsson, this album excels from the word go. The band have managed to mix great prog elements with the more melodic metal elements, thus developing that rare quality nowadays “their own sound”. This is further poignant with the excellent title track ‘Ground Zero’, with Lindholm really mixing some stirring guitars with the superb keyboards of Larsson bringing a rich prog vibe to things, although again Edman is the star turn with some quite superb vocals that bring everything together. The first of the guest vocals slots in on ‘Reach Out’, as Hartman takes over vocal duties and brings something new to what is already a very special album. The different vocal style really adds to the album and kudos to the band for bringing in a different vocalist and remaining true to the band. This track is more in the Melodic Metal vein as you would expect from Hartman, but still doesn’t detract from what is a great album. We return to the vocals of Edman for ‘Golden Gate’, again a very prog metal edge to this one, a thumping bass and the drum line throughout gives it that anthemic feel, while the majestic keys and guitars just add to the overall splendour of the track. It's a while before the vocals come in but when they do they're the icing on the cake. ‘Venom’ see Mark Boals taking up the mike for this song. Once again bringing another layer to the Vindictiv sound. A harder edge with a terrific double kick drum start and the riff building spectacle of Lindholm leading the way for Boals to take over as only he can. A great track on one of my favourites from the album. With a title like ‘Tweedledum & Tweedledee’ you would expect something a little twee as they say in the old country, but not at all as this shows the band at their Prog Metal best. Surging keyboards overlaying some quite superb guitars and Lindholm’s most angst filled vocal so far, with a thumping driven rhythm section that just tops the whole thing off. A great one for the lovers of Dream Theater and their like. Oliver Hartman returns to the vocals for ‘I’m Back Home’, again bringing a heavier vibe to things. A real ball buster this one. Big thumping bass lines a skin bursting drum sound and Hartman, what more could you ask for? Whereas the previous track is pure Melodic Metal the next one 'Martha’s Song', which mixes that familiar edgy metal sound with some sublime prog elements, again showing the band have a full arsenal when it comes to both song writing and musicianship, a great track. Track after track of sheer bliss just keep on coming and again another of my personal favourites has to be ‘Overshoot Day’, a riff filled spectacle that is just pure ear candy. Once again the mix of heavy riffs and prog filled keys are just magical. ‘No Matter What’ brings things down just a touch while still retaining the definite Vindictiv sound that has been a constant throughout the entire album, saving the best till last with ‘Sacrifice’, which is pure genius as this is the last Hartman vocal and the band definitely go all out on this one with flyaway keyboards and soul wrenching guitars and that’s just the first few minutes of the track. Then Hartman unleashes his most powerful vocal of the album. There is more than a hint of Eastern promise on this one as you can almost smell the ancient river Nile. This rounds off what is a
great album and shows the band have matured beyond all aspirations since
their debut and a real candidate for Prog Metal album of the year. |
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Tracklisting:
1. Modern World
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