Musings: Warlung - Vulture's Paradise

Warlung’s fourth album, Vulture’s Paradise, is set to take off on November 4^th. For those unfamiliar with the band, they’re a Houston, Texas quartet that plays a mixture of heavy metal, heavy psych, a bit of prog with a pinch of doom. I’d heard of them but I must confess, I’d never listened to one of their songs before. After perusing their first three albums, I’d say this is their most polished effort yet.

Vulture’s Paradise was a bit of an acquired taste for me. It’s only on the third spin that I really got into it and realized how great this album truly is. The LP opens with “Hypatia”, a decent song with a heavy guitar sound. It’s a good rock tune but it didn’t particularly move me. “Sky Burial”, the first single, is a kickass heavy psych song. One of the best on the record. The title track follows and it gets even better. This song really makes you feel like you’re flying, gliding in the air, hovering on the sound of the guitars and bass, catching air pockets when the drum hits, soaring and reaching peaks, then plunging to valleys. A definite highlight. “Demonocracy” is just as awesome as its title is original. It’s a slower tempo track, hypnotic at times, with a flurry of guitars. The second single, “Return of the Warlords”, is a superb song featuring a barrage of guitars and drums, channeling Led Zep at times. “Grave Marauders” is super catchy and is a perfect tune for the Halloween/fall season. It’s got an addictive beat and is my favourite track of the album. “Caveman Blues” is a smooth track, with some blues thrown in for good measure, featuring atmospheric keyboards that add a nice touch to the proceedings. “Worship the Void” is a good song but probably my least favourite. “Runes” is the most epic song of the LP; it builds up like a sacred ceremony, with tribal-like percussion and smoky guitars. A great choice for the closing track.

Warlung’s Vulture’s Paradise is a solid album. The band sounds tighter than on their previous albums. It took me a while to get into it, but once I got it, I was all in. The lyrics about death and destruction, haunting vocals, killer twin guitars, and first-rate time-keeping rhythm section come together to deliver a raw and energetic record that will please metal/psych/doom lovers everywhere.

Heavy Psych Sounds Records’ Warlung Bandcamp page: https://heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com/album/warlung-vultures-paradise

Warlung on Bandcamp: https://warlung.bandcamp.com/