Krakatoa Reminiscence: Beneath Metallic Ash
VX is a
serious band. Deeply rooted in the glorious past, looking like persons
transported from the eighties and delivering good music, they know the rules. And
some day one man wanted to join this Valencian crew. Who was it? Yep, it was a
keyboardist dressed like the rest of the band, who wanted to make the music
softer, easier and in the vein of Amaranthe or something like that. Hopefully
the band had totally different point of view and prepared one bullet for him. There
were no way out, the result is shown on the front cover…
All right, joking
aside and to the point: what do VX come up with? Well, the band serves three
own new songs and one cover of Razor titled “Iron Hammer”, so only almost nineteen
minutes after three long years. Not too much, but as compared to the previous “Contraataque”
some changes can be heard. Firstly, the production is definitely with a modern
touch missing “Contraataque” rawness, luckily with any signs of such common artificiality,
however I prefer previous bass lines realization beyond all question. Secondly,
I listen to different music. But be calm, it’s still metal to the bone, yet the
main thrashing influences are gone or displayed in significant minority. For me
it is just heavy metal with some speed strikes hither and thither. And
constantly find myself comparing “Sense pietat” to Running Wild from the first
bestial album and the “Masquerade” era. Same metal execution, same general
atmosphere, yet one band must be mentioned here as well: Motörhead and its
no-stop motility. This amalgamation really moves on ceaselessly giving pretty
good moments, being a better choice for the band than pure thrash attack I
guess. Just listen to the third killer “Krakatoa” which rips my guts apart!
Fast heavy yet simple ass-kicking riff structures, memorable chorus that is
known for all my disco neighbours and long guitar lead. Or take a listen to the
most brutal part in “Del lado de
Satán” after 1:07 which becomes really killing heavy speed sonic hammer. The
whole is drowned in good and catchy riffs and decorated by complex and quite
melodic guitar leads. No more is needed, believe me. About vocals, they are still
in Spanish, however Diego uses rather middle range of his screams. And it’s
pity that “Iron Hammer” hasn’t been sung in their native language. It could be
add some extra points to the final mark…
To sum all the
things up, this band fits my taste perfectly. They do not fill my speakers with
any modern shit, yet I don’t consider them another retro copy-cat polluting the
scene. The only complaint concerning this hot piece of metal is the running
time. To put it shortly: I beg for more, guys, as I know it by heart! So, you can
see, it’s time for something bigger, for full-length with completely new songs.
It will be a real test for these Valencian metallers, that’s for sure. But I
have an impression that this quintette (si, no teclados!!!) will show a better
face of their music once again.
77/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(written on December, 2014)
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