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Vandallus: Bad Disease

Melodic Heavy Rock

4.0/5.0

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Pure Steel Records
Released: 28.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 26.09.2018

Vandallus is another band from the vibrant, yet mostly underground, hard rock and heavy metal city of Cleveland Ohio. The band centers upon vocalist and guitarist Jason Vanek with the help from friends from other bands from the Cleveland underground, including Shaun Vanek (guitars and vocals) and Steve Dukuslow (drums) from Midnight, with Tyler Harvey (Deadiron) on guitar and Tim Frederick (Wretch, Eternal Legacy, Destructor) on bass. This month Vandallus drops their sophomore album, Bad Disease.

Vandallus

The Vandallus sound is something that would fall on deaf ears in today's popular music climate, especially that of the United States. The irony, however, is that Vandallus' rock is deeply rooted in my country's melodic hard rock tradition. Vanek and company simply combine the rhythm and groove of Seventies heavy rock with the nuances and edge of Eighties melodic metal rock. At the core of the Vandallus sound are several musical elements: Vanek's melodic, bit metal screamo voice, wrapped in harmonic vocal arrangements, brisk, harmonious, and rousing riffs, and epic guitar solos. These things then are wrapped in delectable hooks in catchy refrains and the rhythm section's rock and groove. With this in mind, I find my ears drifting to and enjoying the vocal arrangements and guitar licks, but you cannot miss the groove of the vigorous and solid bass line throughout.

As for the songs, these elements get quite the workout in every one. Infected has some speed and almost psychedelic guitar moves. Heart Attacker is another quick rocker, with emphasis on a hefty beat and groove. With songs such as Loaded and Shake Down, you'll hear that fine bass line pushing and pummeling through. If anything the latter song, Shake Down, delivers the best hard and heavy rock vitality of all. More speed, almost akin to power metal, drives Vandallus and its flurry of guitar flourishes.

Call it old school for the new school of rock, Vandallus's Bad Disease offers some classic, delightfully throw back, melodic heavy rock. Recommended.

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