26th October 2024

Review: “Self Titled” by Vicarium

Hailing from Boston Massachusetts and inspired by the likes of August Burns Red, Counterparts and Meshuggah Progressive Metalcore quintet Vicarium first appeared in the horizon in 2022. Wasting no time, by January 2023 they had completed and self released a five track self titled demo before hitting the road, using the shows to help them refine their compositions. Choosing to steer clear of genre stereotypes, the five piece made a point of not sticking to a formula or incorporating any clean choruses, instead building their sound around math-like rhythmic complexity and soaring leads. Mixed and mastered by Eric Sauter (Crippling Alcoholism, Torn In Half, Take Me In My Sleep) at Blackheart Studios and wrapped in artwork by Budapest, Hungary based artist and illustrator Csaba Kasik, their debut EP is also self titled…

Urgent, odd time signatured riffage gives “Punishment” a menacing vibe as Christian Crow’s throat shredding vocals tear a new hole in your ear drums. As an opening cut it’s not only a warning of the shape of punk to come but a savage beating in glorious technicolor. Subtle tempo shifts and staccato riff breaks give it the kind of eerie dimension that the edge of the seat was made for and by the end of the rollercoaster ride you might be feeling nauseous. Blurring the lines between Metallic Hardcore and Progressive Death Metal the twin guitar attack of Josh Phillips and Nathaniel Jones shows no sign of slowing down with “The Great Rising” either. Tearing a page from the Ferret Records era of 2003 American Metalcore they introduce some slick leads to their staccato riff battery, a spellbinding solo a gloriously nostalgic throwback to the era before genre over saturation. Adam Richards provides a pummelling percussive backbone to the storm surge that is “Bound By Fate“, the rumbling bass of Sam Graff giving that enhanced rhythmic power as the guitarists once again flex their muscles. The musicianship is impeccable with the rich melodies of the lead guitars adding a bright note to everything during divine extended instrumental passages. What works incredibly well about it is that nothing is overdone and there is no aimless wandering. Things are kept tight to strike a balance that doesn’t stray too far from the path.

The second half of the record starts with the quirky “Icarian“, a other chip off the bands old block with riffs which remind of “Hot Damn!” era Every Time I Die. Pummelling and almost groove laden, the mosh parts keep coming with alarming regularity while the lyrics remain distinctive as they air on the profound. Can Vicarium shoehorn in more earworm riffs? Do bears s*** in the woods? “Detritus” floats like a sinister ghost on a gentle breeze, just waiting for the right moment to pounce. Crow pulls out some deeper death growls that give the impression of a guest vocalist where there isn’t one as the band pile breakdowns upon breakdowns like pancake stacks in an American diner and you just can’t help but smile with it. A seven minute surpassing magnum opus as a grand finale is a surprise but not one that goes off-piste with “Luna Obscurum” reminiscent of the kind of punishment beating that Dead Man In Reno used to provide. Crunchy and brutal but also technical and intricate, it batters the brains in ways that others simply don’t manage to. Even though the opportunity for an ambient melodic passage or some clean vocals rears its ugly head in the centre of this one, it’s not something that the band entertain even for a second, instead choosing to go hard or go home. Perhaps they will mellow with age like a fine wine but for now, there is no chance of that [8/10]

Track Listing