UK’s
Legendary Classic Hard Rockers VENDETTA releases a double dose album
including their best tracks in new updated versions, some of them with
new vocals, some with even fatter guitars and an album’s worth of
previously unheard live tracks.
Hailing
from Newcastle Upon Tyne in the industrial north east of England,
Vendetta was formed in late 2005. Guitarist Edward Box had already
released two solo albums (“Plectrumhead” and “Moonfudge”) but had grown
tired of the genre and so wanted to try out some vocal inspired
material he had written. Calling on his old friends, guitarist Pete
Thompson and bass player Gary Foalle, the initial plan was to just try
out Ed’s songs and see how they sounded in a fully amped environment.
After just one practice one thing became clear; to do the songs
justice, forming a fully armed and operational band was the only
option. These musicians had for too long forsaken the music they loved
and it was time to get back to basics and create their own brand of
traditional metal. Drummer Mick Robson was seconded from fellow rockers
300 ft Gorilla to help out and the job of learning Box’s compositions
began in earnest. By summer 2006 the band was ready to record and
twelve tracks were completed over a hot August. Ed’s first port of call
was Lion Music, with whom he had released his two solo albums, and a
deal was swiftly hooked up. “Tyranny of Minority” hit the racks in
September 2007 and it was indisputably apparent that the band knew
their genre inside out. From the anthemic “Generation Kill” to the bone
crushing “I Executioner”, the album was a carefully crafted calling
card that received a series of first rate reviews.
Around this
time the band sought the services of a permanent drummer and Lee Lamb
was swiftly recruited to the ranks. With his hard driving and no
nonsense style, Lee fitted in straight away so the band drew on this
new found energy and wasted no time in booking a series of gigs. These
culminated in a special guest appearance at the Storming the Castle
Festival in Northumberland and headline shows at their local 02 Academy
in the heart of Newcastle. In between live work the band also set about
writing album number two. The time spent gigging had really made them
gel as a unit and contributions and ideas came thick and fast from all
members. Released in November 2009, “Heretic Nation” was received with
open arms by the metal community and made several critics’ year end
lists. Consistent and focused, it featured an array of world class
tunes and the band produced videos for the tracks “My Revelation”, “New
Horizon” and “Killing Time”. Of particular note was the improved rhythm
section and vocals. Vendetta had heeded some of the criticisms levied
at their debut and had responded accordingly. After more live work
the band got down to the business of creating a new record. However
this coincided with a series of personal setbacks for various members
and so it became clear that album number three would have a difficult
gestation period. Turning adversity into a rallying cry the band called
upon on every ounce of its professionalism to deliver what they hope is
their best work yet. 2012 saw the release of “World Under Fire” and
Vendetta were ready to take it to the hilt once more. Featuring ten
scorching tracks, the album had all the hallmarks of its forbearers;
blistering solos, pounding drums, steadfast bass and impassioned
vocals. Added to this already staple mix was a refined melodic
sensibility and additional sonic elements that brought a heightened
depth to the band’s sound. From its pulse racing opener “Halo in Black”
to the epic “All Your Setting Suns”, it was clear Vendetta had once
again come up trumps and delivered an album that any self respecting
metal fan would be proud to own.
In early 2013, the band parted
company with drummer Lee Lamb. After several months of searching and
auditions, the power house that is Ronnie Mclean was added to the
Vendetta team and the hope was that a new album would soon follow.
However, this was not to be as the departure of founder member Pete
Thompson put paid to this. After much soul searching, the band ceased
operation in May 2014 as they did not want to tamper with the precious
chemistry they had created.
In the spring of 2016, Edward Box
decided to revisit some of the Vendetta material and the upshot was the
anthology, All Your Setting Suns. With rebooted versions of fan
favourites and a live set from their final ever show (featuring the
mighty Ronnie Mclean), it makes a great one stop shop for all things
Vendetta and a fine way for the band to finally sign off.
DISCOGRAPHY: Tyranny of Minority (2007)
Heretic Nation (2009)
Vorld Under Fire (2012)
GENERATION KILL - version 2015
I EXECUTIONER
HALO IN BLACK
NEW HORIZON - full fat mix
LOST CAUSE - version 2015
DELUSION - full fat mix
MACHT POLITIK
AGE OF ANNIHILATION - full fat mix
SKARO - full fat mix
BONES TO DUST - version 2015
BLAST RADIUS
MY REVELATION - full fat mix
PLASTIC GOD - version 2015
THE SPACE BETWEEN - full fat mix
FRAGMENTED REALITY
ALL YOUR SETTING SUNS
-----LIVE:------
WE ARE LEGION
MACHT POLITIK
DELUSION
NEW HORIZON
HALO IN BLACK
LOST CAUSE
SKARO
MY REVELATION
BLAST RADIUS
BONES TO DUST
I EXECUTIONER
Bonus tracks:
RED SKIES - version 2015
ALL FALL DOWN - version 2015
A GLASS HALF EMPTY - full fat mix
KILLING TIME - full fat mix
Edward Box – guitar and vocals
Pete Thompson – guitar
Gary Foalle – bass
Chris Higgins, Lee Lamb – drums
Mick Robson – drums on the live tracks
Facebook
|