Vermin - A Nihilistic Swarm
17 Tracks of technical prowess is what one gets from up & rising Dutch squad VERMIN, not to be confused by the Swedish deathsters bearing the same monicker.
But talking of Sweden, the most notable thing on this slab is the fascination these guys have with the Swedish sound, both when delving into old school death metal influenced riffs (their generic fold) to when they crunch out MESHUGGAH-tripping rhythms (their stronghold).
Yet the influences do not stop there as drumming and lead solos tend to reek of American death & thrash metal influences, not to mention that the vocal approach, although mostly growling, shouts for a black metal approach every now and again, and does this well.
In fact, I would go as far as to say that every section of music on this CD sounds well performed and reflects that the guys are well across the spectrum of all that is metal. Yet now comes the downside, and that is that technique is only a means to an end, but should never be overlooked as the end in itself. In other words, that VERMIN possess a remarkable mastery of one’s instrument is unarguable, yet on the other hand, musicianship does not stop there and unfortunately one comes across another of those many albums that would have been better to be worked out as an EP. I mean no song sticks above the other for its character, and I do not see myself raising hell at any of their gigs. Simply for the reason, that metal is known for its technical prowess nowadays, and hence songs and grabbing ideas are what I would be after.
Yet overall, especially for this being a debut, I foresee that the guys can work out into a promising act given some years.
But talking of Sweden, the most notable thing on this slab is the fascination these guys have with the Swedish sound, both when delving into old school death metal influenced riffs (their generic fold) to when they crunch out MESHUGGAH-tripping rhythms (their stronghold).
Yet the influences do not stop there as drumming and lead solos tend to reek of American death & thrash metal influences, not to mention that the vocal approach, although mostly growling, shouts for a black metal approach every now and again, and does this well.
In fact, I would go as far as to say that every section of music on this CD sounds well performed and reflects that the guys are well across the spectrum of all that is metal. Yet now comes the downside, and that is that technique is only a means to an end, but should never be overlooked as the end in itself. In other words, that VERMIN possess a remarkable mastery of one’s instrument is unarguable, yet on the other hand, musicianship does not stop there and unfortunately one comes across another of those many albums that would have been better to be worked out as an EP. I mean no song sticks above the other for its character, and I do not see myself raising hell at any of their gigs. Simply for the reason, that metal is known for its technical prowess nowadays, and hence songs and grabbing ideas are what I would be after.
Yet overall, especially for this being a debut, I foresee that the guys can work out into a promising act given some years.
1. Intro - The Swarm
2. The Plague
3. Ascend
4. Fuel For The Flames
5. Conquer
6. The Swallowing Vortex
7. I Am The Dissident
8. Birth
9. A Nihilist
10. Falling Deathwards
11. Eyes Wide Shut
12. Deviate
13. Dislekt
14. Scientific Domination
15. Collapsed Future Visions
16. Clipped Wings
17. Vertigo
