| Musical Style: Heavy Metal | Produced By: Andrew Chiang |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 90% |
| Running Time: 58:02 |
Vultures Gathering takes the Swedish, Gothenburg scenes melody and sounds, and injects them into a straightforward to Gothic to progressive metal framework on its Roxx Records spring of 2023 debut full length The Hunt. To make such myriad musical forms work one needs a varied vocalist, and such is what we have in founding member and front man Chaz Bond (Biogenesis, Letters To The Blind), whom continues to bring a multi-dimensional vocal style to see him transition between clean but lower register singing and that on the guttural if not angst laden side. Rounding out the Vultures Gathering lineup and lending to the diverse musical environs with respective thrash and extreme metal backgrounds are co-founding members guitarist Ryan Roebuck (Motivik, Ritual Servant) and multi-instrumentalist - guitars, bass, drums and keyboards - Andre Chiang (Shamash, Necromanicide).
Those in the know understand how the Swedish, Gothenburg field draws upon melodic death metal and its focus on NWOBHM style guitars alongside melodic harmonies and soloing. Vultures Gathering leaves little doubt how it reflects such influences, but it is also its own band with a unique spin on the extreme side of things. Consider manner in which Vultures Gathering takes lead vocals in a completely different direction (i.e.: melodic) as opposed to the astringent (i.e.: growled) elements intrinsic to most extreme forms of metal. Also, Vultures Gathering approaches from more of a progressive standpoint compared to many extreme contemporaries, referencing how individual songs on The Hunt average between six to seven minutes and top off at nine. It would not be out of line to suggest the Vultures Gathering songwriting is quite technical and does not follow a typical verse-chorus-verse course.
Opener “In Plain Sight” accurately embodies the at times aggressive and others melodic Vultures Gathering sound. In terms of former, song begins its first minute to a harsh growl from Bond, who intersperses periodic moments of stark contention for the snarling verse sections. From standpoint of latter, he shines with his signature clean, lower-register style, particularly for the ultra catchy refrain to draw in on immediate play. This one sets the stage for the brilliance to follow. Lyric snippet:
The lies you will embrace
Or the truth you will face
There is no in between
Open your eyes to the unseen
Like the whore of Babylon
Once a paradise until its gone
The grand façade continues on and on
They’ve got another lie to sell and you know it well
Nine minute “False Crown” is one of this reviewer’s favorites. Song begins its first several minutes instrumentally in Gothic infused fashion as classical instrumentation coalesces with darkly woven guitars and double bass. The Gothic leanings sustain drifting ahead, resonating a somber reflection on the laid-back side - noting the abundant melody to keep the song a fresh listen despite the span - but also an elevated form as impetus touches upon a thrash basis. The extensive instrumental run reveals the groups technical acumen, revealed in Roebuck’s galloping rhythms and leads and Chiang’s inspired timekeeping.
Albums ensuing title track echoes of European power metal. I am uncertain if this was the band intention, but the opening symphonic keyboards and upbeat riffing remind of Sweden’s Narnia. Moving forward a high-pitched scream points to how Vultures Gathering is a completely different animal musically, as found in the assertive refrain and thrash like nuances to command the remaining span. Lyric snippet:
Like Vultures flying above in the sky
Watching and waiting for another spirit to die
Vultures Gathering to prepare for the feast
Billions of walking dead from West to East
The spiritual decay of our modern day
A Godless wasteland…
The Vultures prey
As its title implies, “This Darkened Embrace” further explores the Vultures Gathering Gothic side. It slowly fades in to keyboards, mournful and forlorn its seven and half minutes to lowly vocal flavorings and doom-like guitar effects as swarthy melody points to the downcast. Further variety comes in the form of keyboards lending an industrial effect and occasional heightened moments driven by double kick drum.
I identify with “In Paradise” as a companion track to “This Darkened Embrace”. Also at seven and half minutes, it proves every bit solemn and moody, with offbeat keyboards and stately drum work combining with the desolate melody to command in chilling fashion. Final minute finds Roebuck let loose with several runs of affecting lead guitar. Hope I am not out of line to suggest “This Darkened Embrace” and “In Paradise” brings to mind the ‘hybrid metal’ to Bond’s main band Biogenesis. Lyric snippet:
The righteousness of man is but filthy rags
The imperfections of his will led to his fall
But the Lamb of God gave His life for all
Now mankind will never be the same
All he must do is call out his name, one man cried
There are no righteous deeds, only rotten seeds
Look to the one who now bleeds,
Two men, one at each side
“Candle Wax” is another choice cut. Guest female vocalist Zharlie Gustavsson provides a symphonic effect over the doleful first minute, with subsequent impetus picking up at once to a tom-tom driven rhythm comparable to that on Deliverance’s “After I Fell” (off River Disturbance from 1994). Guitars lend quite an impactful effect, particularly for the forcefully driven refrain and intricate leanings to the instrumental moments.
A very well done cover to the Bloodgood classic “America” (from Out Of The Darkness from 1989) follows. It stays true to the original in terms of the recognizable melody and tempo - the frenetic harmonies border on the mesmerizing - but separates with a preacher voice over to start and underpinning double kick drum to yield and almost power metal effect. The high-end falsetto’s throughout invite comparison to Bloodgood front man Les Carlsen. Lyric snippet:
We need kindness, we need goodness
We need joy, we need peace
We need churches filled with people
Who are praying on their knees
To that blessed major power
Who gave His Son to man
Now we have Him here today
Yesterday and forever
“A Knock On The Door” separates as a lushly done ballad. It reflects a softer side to Vultures Gathering, as orchestration to start gives way to the melodic guitars that build upon the exquisite scene to uphold the distance, albeit at moments notice occasional passages interlaced with energetic drums take over. My favorite part is the instrumental interlude that starts to acoustic guitar and jazzy bass that yield to organ and screaming lead guitar.
“Truth Be Told” contrasts with a heavy hitting if not borderline thrash mentality. It perseveres from the get go, pulsating to heavy hitting riffs, low register growls and shred lead guitar that while not making quite the same melodic statement, is engaging all the same. Of note are the pronounced but not to fault keyboards (again, almost mirroring the industrial) to make periodic appearance. Lyric snippet:
What is truth some will say
The truth the life, He said ‘I am the way’
So many paths to misguide us
So many lies to divide us
But the truth must be told
There is so much more to life
That what our eyes can see
We can fall in line or we can be who we were meant to be
I hope the Bond, Roebuck and Chiang partnership that is Vultures Gathering remains for years to come and produces multiple follow up albums. Yes, the Vultures Gathering technical if not progressive aptitude and focus on the extreme side of things from a melodic standpoint could not be more engaging. Likewise, the group is aggressive at times but not to the point of overbearing and repetitious, noting the focus on bountiful melody. If a fan of any of the musical forms represented by Vultures Gathering, then I cannot give The Hunt a stronger recommendation.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “In Plain Sight” (5:52), “False Crown” (8:57), “The Hunt” (5:03), “This Darkened Embrace” (7:22), “In Paradise” (7:27), “In Paradise” (7:21), “Candle Wax” (6:18), “America” (4:39, “A Knock On The Door” (6:23), “Truth Be Told” (6:00)
Musicians
Chaz Bond - Lead Vocals
Ryan Roebuck - Lead & Acoustic Guitars
Andre Chiang - Rhythm Guitar, Bass, Drums & Keyboards
