V/A-Liberation: Songs to Benifit Peta
(Fat Wreck Chords, 2003)

Peta is an orginization that I definitely support. For those of you that like pop/punk and punk music in general and want to support Peta, this is definitely a compilation that you should pick up. The bands featured on here are basically a who's who of the current scene. The bands featured on here are: Hot Water Music, Good Riddance, Goldfinger, The Faint, Propaghandi, Good Charlotte, District 7, Freznal Rhomb, Story of the Year, The Eye-Liners, Anti-Flag, Desaparecidos, Big Wig, Midtown, The Used and No Fx.

For the most part the songs included aren't exclusive tracks, with a few exceptions. The Good Charlotte song is an acoustic version of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. It's definitely not very different from the original version, but it's pretty cool to hear the song stripped down to just acoustic guitar and vocals. The song Story of the Year contributes is also an exclusive track, up until the album it'll be on is released I guess. So chances are if you are a fan of these bands you may have already heard the songs. I don't really think this is a compilation you would buy to expose yourself to new bands though. I think it's something you'd buy because you know that it's going to help support a cause you believe in.

If you haven't checked out Peta yet, I highly suggest that you do so. If you want to help support a company that really stands up for what they believe in, pick up this cd as soon as possible.

Vaginal Carnage-Dildo Detention
(No Escape, 2003)

This band pretty much sounds exactly how I was expecting them to, heavy with beyond guttural vocals and extremely catchy riffs. It’s similar to bands like Cock and Ball Torture, or possibly Lividity, but with a much more chaotic approach then either of those bands.

The first thing that you’ll notice is that the recording is complete garbage. Which you’d think would be a negative thing, but the raw production only adds to the chaotic nature of the band. You can hear what is going on easily enough, and it doesn’t hurt your ears, which is always a bonus if you ask me. It’s nice that the band didn’t make the vocals overpower everything. A lot of bands playing gore grind tend to crank the vocals and make you have to strain to hear the other instruments. I also like the fact that this is only a MCD and at almost 15 minutes this is the perfect length for a band like this. It tends to get a bit old when it is a full albums worth of material.

This band plays primitive and chaotic goregrind that is sure to please those of you into the sickest of the sick.

Vehemence-Helping the World to See
(Metal Blade, 2004)

It’s exciting to discover bands early in their careers and being there to see the progression from album to album. I was impressed with Vehemence’s last album but they have basically stepped every element of their sound up a notch and returned with an album that blows their last album right out of the water.

The first difference I noticed was this is a much more aggressive album. They haven’t lost the melodic aspects they used to have, such as the black metal influenced riffing, but some of the riffs on here are just monstrously heavy. They also seem to have much more blasting and even some riffing reminiscent of early Florida death metal that I didn’t seem to notice on the last album. I’m also enjoying the sections that to me sound like heavy hardcore influenced breakdowns. They aren’t overused, but they do help a lot to make Vehemence even more unique. If you heard God Was Created you’ll know what to expect, just expect a whole lot more. This is a heavy, heavy, album.

I would also say that the bands songwriting has improved considerably. The ideas were there on the debut album, but the song structures are much more concise and memorable on this new album. No riff is wasted and everything flows well from beginning to end. It’s tough to find a band in death metal taking their influences and creating something unique. I’ve always had a hard time finding comparisons for this band, and it’s even harder with this new album.

Wes Bescoter has really outdone himself with the cover art to this album. I’m not what exactly it represents, but it’s an amazing looking album cover. The overall booklet matches the color scheme of the cover and it’s a very consistent release aesthetic wise. I know that album covers really don’t make an album, but this is one that you’d see on the shelf and pick it up to look closer.

While most death metal chose to remain stagnant and never move forward Vehemence has matured and has created a death metal masterpiece. If you haven’t, for whatever reason, checked these guys out, I highly recommend that you do so.


Virtuocity-Northern Twilight Symphony
(Spinefarm/PHD, 2004)

Do you think that someone at their label might have told them that their band name was spelled wrong? I know that in metal sometimes bands spell their names wrong on purpose, but I can’t really see that being the case here. Anyway, that’s not important. This really doesn’t do much for me. It’s your typical power metal with lots of keyboards, and choruses that make you want to break out the ten sided dice. It takes a lot for a power metal band to make me take notice and this really doesn’t do anything for me. I guess it’s not bad for what it is, but I’ll pass.

Visionary-Strange but Familiar Shores
(Nightmare, 2003)

I'm fairly certain I've heard another album from this band, but I have no idea if I liked it or not. Too many cds, too few brain cells I guess. I'm not really a huge fan of this band but what they do, they do well. The bands basically a power metal band, and while it is fairly typical, I was somewhat drawn in by the vocal performance. Basically, the band plays power metal, but seems to be light on the metal. It has a rock feel and also uses a lot of keys and synths.

This band is top notch at what they do, but not nearly raw enough to make it into regular rotation with me. If you like mid-tempo power metal you'll maybe want to give this a try.

Vulgar Pigeons-Summary Execution
(Adipocere, 2002)

I’m fairly certain this has been out for quite awhile now, and Adipocere licensed it for release in Europe. So I guess this review will serve as an introduction for those not familiar with Vulgar Pigeons.

Do you like grindcore? Well, then you’ll undoubtedly like this band. They have the grindcore formula down to perfection, yet they throw in some incredibly sick and twisted riffs the likes of which have never been heard before. There are some parts that are so heavy your subwoofer will begin to cry under the pressure.

The production is incredibly raw and really fits the style perfectly. It sounds like they just went it plowed through the songs live and then mixed. It doesn’t sound like there is much or any overdubs whatsoever.

If you are into extreme grindcore check these guys out! This album is a bit old, but maybe they’ll have a new one out soon as well!