One of my favourite duos of recent years is back with a vengeance: Just released this past Thursday, out of Detroit, Michigan, VAZUM, unleashed their latest post-punk/deathgaze opus, Western Violence. Consisting of Zach Pliska on vocals, guitars and drums, and Emily Sturm on vocals and bass, the enigmatic duo spent nine months assembling this beast of a record. Twelve tracks, all killer, no filler.
They have a unique sound which echoes
The Cure with vocals channeling the heydays of Marilyn Manson and Debbie Harry.
Followers of this blog are well aware of my love for this band. They remind me
of the golden age of goth and industrial music of The Cure, Bauhaus, Sisters of
Mercy, Nine Inch Nails, and Marilyn Manson. Back in the ‘90s, those bands literally
kept my alive. Music (and movies to a certain extent) were the only things that
kept me going. Had VAZUM been around then, they would’ve been part of that
group of bands that I listened to religiously day in, day out. I also firmly
believe that had they been making music during that period, they would be
legends by now. Their music is simply astonishing.
The album opens with the title
track, a dark and catchy tune sung by Emily. The song pulls no punches,
brimming with raw energy. “Breach” follows, one of the earlier singles with
Zach on vocals. A definite highlight of the album. “Alien”, featuring Emily on
vocals, has an ultra cool ‘80s vibe to it. “Embryo” is an earworm, with dual
singing at times, it’s one of my favourite tracks ever from VAZUM. “Get Out” is
a slow-burn of a track, an addictive gem beautifully sung by Emily. “Stellium”
was another single from a while back titled “Double Stellium” and although I
haven’t heard it in a long time, I’m pretty sure this version sounds better as
I was instantly hooked. “Blush” almost feels like a classic song by now,
released as one of the singles earlier this year, it’s got everything you want
a hit tune to be: melodic and infectious. “Done” hit me hard; a song of gentle
despair with Emily’s siren voice placing the listener under a trance. “Acteur”,
a song about fake people, features Zach at his best on vocals. “Exile” has the
duo sharing vocal duties for the most part; another terrific track. “Nightshade”
was first released well over a year ago in a different iteration. Both versions
are pretty awesome. “Precious Ones” is another single from a long time ago
played slightly faster here to great effect with Zach on vocals.
VAZUM has crafted a masterpiece
with Western Violence. It’s without a
doubt their most versatile album yet and maybe even their best, only time will
tell. I’ve loved everything they’ve put out since I first found out about them
back in 2020. They have a way of constructing songs much in the way new wave
bands of the ‘80s did with a joyful sound chock-full of dark lyrics, akin to
Tears for Fears’ “Mad World.” Western Violence
is an album for the tortured souls, the disillusioned, and the dreamers of this
world. It’s a harsh critic of the state of America in this tumultuous 21st
century. And you know what the best part is? It’s a Name Your Price album on
Bandcamp so you have NO reason not to get it. Be generous and show them some
love—VAZUM is one of the hardest-working and most creative bands around today.
A must for the Top Ten Albums of the Year lists. What are you waiting for, pick
it up right fucking now!
VAZUM on Bandcamp: https://vazum.bandcamp.com/album/western-violence
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