EP REVIEW: Reign Of Terror – Vesicarum

Death metal in all its forms is enjoying a massive resurgence of late. From the fiercely primitive old-school death metal scene scene to the abrasive Swedish sound, through to experimental and the downright weird, the various strands of this most brutal sub-genre are once again top of the agenda throughout the metal world. And, as has always been the case when a specific scene becomes saturated with new bands keen to jump on the bandwagon, it is now becoming increasingly difficult for up-and-coming hopefuls to carve out their own niche and rise above the masses. With this in mind, it seems unfair to completely dismiss VESICARUM based on their inaugural EP, Reign Of Terror. Hailing from Kent, this five-piece favours the slow, down-tuned approach. Founder and vocalist Glynn Neve explains that the EP tells the story of a serial killer, with the first four tracks outlining the murderer and his development “through to stages of murder and torture”, while the fifth cut switches to the victim’s point of view.

The band itself describe the record as “an adrenaline rush that is a great escape from the stresses and strains of life”, an ambitious statement that sadly does not live up to its promise. The vocals are very obviously the focal point, perhaps owing to the fact that the group began life in 2016 as a solo project for Glynn. Because of this, his heavily accented, clearly enunciated and discernible roars are front and centre in the mix, only exaggeratedly so. The Dave Ingram-inspired bellow is far too loud and grating, making for an uncomfortable listening experience.

The riffs hammered out by Martin Shipton and James Thompson are generally uninspired and dragged down by unoriginality and excess repetition, while the occasional lead breaks prove much more effective and menacing. When Orla Blue Reed’s bass gets a chance to shine, such as at the beginning of the opening title track Reign Of Terror, it displays a killer tone and speed that should have been utilised to greater effect throughout the album rather than shining the spotlight permanently on the guitars. The opener also features a sound clip reminiscent of CARCASS’ infamous pathologist reports, while elsewhere horror-film sequences help set the scene.

Lead single The Sick And The Depraved displays the most obvious BOLT THROWER influence in the riffs, until falling into the overused and ubiquitous slow chugging that kills all momentum. Donal McGee’s drum work also recalls the Coventry legends, with that characteristic double-bass thundering throughout most of the runtime. Closer Undivine End is supposed to transport the listener into the rope-bound shows of the victim, trapped in a serial killer’s torture chamber – however, it is nothing more than an outro, which proves to be neither ominous nor particularly unsettling.

There is very little else to be said about this release. Plodding, often grating and something of a chore to get through, there lacks any real originality or well-execution of retreading of old ground here. There are a few glimmers of promise in the band’s arsenal, however, and hopefully VESICARUM will continue to develop their own style and sound on subsequent recordings, thus relegating Reign Of Terror to the status of learning curve.

Rating: 3/10

Reign of Terror is set for release May 22nd via One Eyed Toad Records. 

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