By Phil Cooper
Since their formation in 2010, Slovenian four-piece Vigilance have been mixing the styles of NWOBHM inspired metal and first wave black metal to create a crossover genre. Taking key influences from the likes of early Maiden and Mercyful Fate, the band include dual guitars and galloping riffs coupled with an overlaying darker edge with song writing. Their output thus far includes numerous demos and EPs and three previous full-length albums, all of this has culminated in Vigilance cementing a solid standing in the European underground scene. ‘Enter the Endless Abyss’ looks to capitalise further on what they have already achieved.
‘Blood and Black Lace’ kicks things off and it’s immediately apparent from the opening guitar lines that the NWOBHM influence plays a key role in Vigilance’s sound. The descending harmonised guitar line breaks into a full throttle rapid riff and the rhythm section offers a solid driving foundation. When the vocals kick in there’s a definite Venom vibe to the sound as the singing style is raw yet matches the guitar led melody. It’s a refined metal sound with a rough undercurrent that provides an extra edge to the musicianship. This idea continues into the bass led ‘The Return of The Savage’. A catchy headbanging groove once more breaks into a furious guitar attack and rapid driving rhythm. With a reverb wash on the vocals allowing them to sit clear on the mix and create a sense of sweeping space. With all of these elements combined, there’s an anthemic edge to the music.
The tone of the album carries on throughout with the following tracks picking up and expanding upon the themes laid out in the opening. That’s not to say that it’s a heard one track heard ‘em all type album. It’s a case that the opening tracks clearly outline the sound that Vigilance are working to deliver. Vigilance clearly wear their influences openly yet their musicianship and song writing enable them to successfully establish a solid crossover sound. Tracks like ‘The Gunslinger’ and ‘Stormblade’ exemplify some of the dynamic and intense guitar work. With the guitars leading the melodic charge and duelling it out between solos while unifying for a catchy driving riff that either Maiden or Judas Priest would have been proud to have. ‘Night Raid’ pulls the listener in with a pounding drum intro and retains hold throughout. It’s a neck injury inducing headbanger and with the inclusion of backing ‘woahs’ in the chorus sections will surely be a hit on the live front.
This is an unmistakable heavy metal album. Vigilance have been able to take what they’ve produced so far as a band and hone it into a solid delivery over eight tracks. The powerful vocal delivery though raw, is still clear and combines well with the music that’s been created. The mixing and production allow each track to have its own space and there is no muddying of the sound which could have been an issue considering the relentlessness of the music. In terms of their actual genre style they definitely owe more to the NWOBHM side of their influences with the darker overtones coming through on the lyrical content and vocal delivery. Certainly, a fan of todays Black Metal would find it a little on the light side but it’s an infectious, highly engaging sound all the same.
For something a little different with undeniably good musicianship and solid song writing, ‘Enter the Endless Abyss’ offers a lot for heavy metal fans and should well continue to see Vigilance be a solid player within the underground scene of Europe.
- ‘Enter the Endless Abyss’ is released today (Tuesday 23 April). You can get your copy HERE.
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