Review: “Saltwater Circadian” by VRSA

“Living on the coast of Long Island Sound along with sailing and fishing culture has led to a ten-year journey of writing with nautical imagery. Even before our previous release Cvlt of Machina, the seed of Saltwater Circadian started to take hold in my mind.” ~ Joshua, vocals and guitars

A fifth album from New Haven, Connecticut Progressive Sludge Post-Metal outfit VRSA (Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) has been some six years in the making, exploring themes of water imagery, sea creatures and ancient sailing traditions over six extended cuts. Mastered by Alan Douches (The Black Dahlia Murder, Nails, Necrot) it continues a journey which began in 2007 with a desire to something in my different and break away from the traditional Hardcore and Metalcore of the local scene. Taking their name from the staph infection that has mutated by the overuse of antibiotics, it’s a commentary on the human race doing things we don’t fully understand and destroying ourselves in the process. That seems to have just the right amount of social commentary and enigmatic meaning…

A band who have always been hard to give a genre tag to as they embrace artistic freedom, something which is by no means a bad thing, VRSA float between the Worlds of Stoner, Doom and Sludge Metal with opening cut and title track “Saltwater Circadian“. A blues inspired mid section that has 1970s roots adds an eclectic twist after a Crowbar style riff fit for worshipping and ferocious vocals. Taking a leaf from the book of Smashing Pumpkins, “Hurricane Song” has a warm meloncholic beauty with fuzzy guitars that makes it great for nursing a cup of coffee to whilst hungover. Heavy enough with some rhythmic punch in the back end it’s no slouch either. Despite having two guitars there is the odd moment in cuts like “Shellbacks” when it feels like there is a lack of power, the band opting for style and grace with melodic touches rather than going hell for leather. Another piece of water worshipping beauty, the track has a nice 70’s style solo that adds a little flare before the dirge laden “Thirst” screams in meloncholic agony. A soul stirring cut that resonates with some savage vocal passages, it feels like it would have found its home in the 90’s on the infamous Sub Pop label alongside Nirvana and Mudhoney. Bringing back those earlier blues vibes, the opening instrumental passage of “Born to the Tide” is a thing of beauty. Toying with eclectic and eccentric ideas that somehow fit together like jigsaw pieces, VRSA bring tomtoms to the party and place them behind an extended solo that mesmerises. On paper it’s simple enough idea but in reality it’s one that works so damn well, giving the song a new dimension in depth and texture. After that nine minute magnum opus which feels like it should be the grand finale, VRSA have one last trick in the book which wouldn’t fit anywhere else on the album with the dreamy acoustic “Ocean Floor“. After four and a half minutes it catches fire, the electric guitar and unclean vocals coming in to replace the delicate heart felt cleans in a soul stirring flourish of cathartic release [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Saltwater Circadian
2. Hurricane Song
3. Shellbacks
4. Thirst
5. Born to the Tide
6. Ocean Floor

“Saltwater Circadian” by VRSA is out 30th March 2024