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Archived Reviews
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Vigilante – shouty vocals, powerful well paced and structured Industrial music and a littering of movie samples – this is good stuff. Okay, I have to be truthful here, as on a first listen of this album it did nothing for me. I was pretty much convinced that this was ‘more of the same’. Another band wanting to be like everyone else. A music video of the track ‘One Good Reason’ shows the band in combat fatigues and military attire. Nothing original to see here. Move along. But I have to admit that my initial findings and response might have been a little wrong – a second listen of this album and my opinions have definitely changed. This is a well put together package, not only musically. From the band’s website to the accompanying CD inlay, it’s obvious that time and money have been well spent here – someone is keen that their investment does well and has maximum impact. Musically I can draw parallels against such other acts as Funker Vogt and Machine Head, both in terms of delivery and execution of the music. There are a fair share of film samples on this album, and I’m not a great fan of this, but thankfully Vigilante haven’t done them to death, so they’re not too overpowering and do not get in the way of the music too much (although the opening intro track has a large dependency on samples and did start to annoy me a tad.). Eleven tracks adorn this release, and each one is strong enough to stand up on it’s own in a club – heck live they must be bloody superb. The beats, the rhythm, the vocals, everything just works and is finely balanced, making this a very listenable album. Someone has obviously sat down and thought long and hard about this release – Industrial wannabes are two a penny today. Not so Vigilante. This album has helped to restore my faith in Industrial music once again. So what have we got here? Well apart from the sample laced Intro track, the track ‘Survive’ gently eases you into the Vigilante sound with some gentle yet well paced beats, building up to some aggressive shouty vocals and distorted guitar laden melodies. A similar formula is applied to the next track, ‘The Other Side’ – by now you’re up and moving. This number oozes energy, and is no doubt going to be a top club track. ‘One Good Reason’ uses the electronic side of the genre to provide its arsenal of loops and beats. A very ‘full’ track, once again well crafted and lacking nothing. ‘Lack of Faith’ is a tad more laid back and poignant. This is definitely trying to be an song with a message, and the monologue of a sample helps it on it’s way to become this. Does nothing much for me, but it’s okay I guess. Tracks like ‘Still alive’ and ‘Answers’ carry the same trusted formula, and while good tracks, are not as powerful as those preceding it. We’re back on the Industrial machine with ‘Humanity’ – more pounding beats and distorted guitars lead the way. Another good track. ‘Before’ tests the power ballad for size. It’s okay, but not brilliant. Best not try this again guys. It’s been done so many times, and you can do other things far better. A dance floor filler has to be ‘Freedom’ – frantic well paced music leads the way here. This is indeed good stuff. The thrill’s not over yet, as the last track on the album is a mix of ‘One Good Reason’ by Hard Wired faves, Lamia. This definitely has a hard EBM feel to it, and is nothing short of bloody superb! So from initial misgivings to complete conversion in eleven tracks can’t be bad. Vigilante are not original, but they are very good at what they do, and this album is a blinder. A seminal mark on the Industrial road. Good stuff. More please. |
