ALBUM REVIEW: Vampire – Rex

Swedish Blackened Thrash Metal maniacs VAMPIRE are back with their third album. If 2017’s “With Primeval Force” is anything to go by, this is going to be a ripper. Out now via Century Media Records.

Melodic guitars and crashing cymbals give a very old school Heavy Metal introduction to the album, packed with a brooding atmosphere that is certain to develop throughout. Maniacal riffing kicks in with thrashing drums and that barrage of blistering Black-Thrash that was so present on the last record. Savage vocals complete the raw, old school carnage with just as much aggression as in the instrumental sections. Within seconds it is clear Vampire are back with a monolith of ferocious and intricate Extreme Metal excellence. The lead guitar work is absolutely gorgeous over primal thrashing riffs and anthemic rhythms that will certainly be memorable and keep people coming back to the record.

Furious soloing comes through the mix with soaring grandiosity while keeping in touch with the tight speeding assault. With plentiful bite, the grooving sections drop the tempo into a really fierce crawl from time to time, never straying too far from a bestial onslaught of high-speed adrenaline however. The dark and energetic feel of bands like Aura Noir and Nifelheim really comes through on this record with fantastic execution of the driven musical rampage. Merciless and unrelenting, each track is magnificent in its passionate fury and memorable riffs. There is plenty of diversity in the drum work and the guitars are layered to create a scathing heaviness in true old school fashion. Thankfully we see some barbaric vocal work to do the fierce instruments justice.

Ripping onwards it is impossible to deny the catchiness of every track here with the whole record morphing into a monstrously enjoyable, upbeat and yet viciously morbid affair. Hammering grooves entwined with speeding artillery deliver a sonic hailstorm of fiery concoctions that will have all headbangers in awe of the splendidly evil sounds Vampire have to offer. There is some really interestingly melancholic riffs that remind of Witching Hour from Germany, another of the more memorable Black-Thrash bands in recent history, Vampire certainly manage to pull off their diverse approach to songwriting with visceral energy and impeccable musicianship, giving a brilliant end result on this new tome of darkness.

Another utterly magnificent, ravenous and killer album from Vampire that will devour all whom listen to this frenzied assault of the senses. Though insanely fast and malevolent, there is tons of atmosphere and melody to give a multi-dimensional and huge sound, delivered in fierce old school Extreme Metal fashion to allow total domination. A must listen for Black-Thrash lovers and a unique Extreme Metal album that will definitely stand out on its own two feet and demand the respect it deserves. -8.5/10