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November 2024

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Hercules Morse: Vita Boundary

Melodic Heavy Rock

4.5/5.0

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Unsigned/Self-released
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 25.04.2018

After two well-received EPs, Southampton rockers Hercules Morse return with their first full-length studio album, Vita Boundary. Honestly, I was thinking this album would be the collected songs of the two EPs, with maybe a new song or two. But no, this is an album ten brand new songs. Good news.

Hercules Morse

Hercules Morse has been described in many ways, with comparisons to Fu Manchu, Foo Fighters, even The Beatles, and then also dropped in the stoner rock genre. Maybe so, or not. To me, they simply sound like heavy rock blessed with an abundance of melody, harmony, and groove. While not necessarily unique to them, what has always surprised me is their large doses of heavy riffage tempered by harmonious, nearly gentle, vocal arrangements. It's like light and darkness coexisting in the same space. Ying to Yang as it were. The guitar riffs are tuned to the sturdy and heavy rhythm section, but the vocals are tuned to the song's melody and harmony. And Harry Gardner's brisk guitar solos easily follow the same. Suffice to say it's a formula that works for Hercules Morse.

You'll hear these elements easily within Talk Me Down, Everything Is Great, Clockwork, and the brisk paced Cuckoo. Even faster and with a big beat is Can't See The Sun, which roars along with a speed rock pace. The moderate paced The Story Goes has a strong and heavy bottom end and tough riffs, yet with Steve George's voice almost lilting above them. Similar is Resigned, where Hercules Morse offers a song with a slower groove, but still heavy and bristling with sharp riffage. As I said, this style works for them.

Suffice to say, with Vita Boundary, Hercules Morse has settled into their own style and found their groove, delivering a solid album of melodic heavy rock. Recommended.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

With Vita Boundary, Hercules Morse has settled into their own style and found their groove, delivering a solid album of melodic heavy rock. Recommended.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]