Vexillum – ‘When Good Men Go To War’ (2021)
Rating: 8.8/10
Release: 23 April 2021
Label: Scarlett Records
First, let’s get rid of the obvious comparison. Despite being from the same country and having a similar sound with Elvenking, both Dario and Damna have different voice personalities. In this case, Dario does a good job throughout the album and brings strength to the songs thus complementing an impeccable work in terms of interpretation from the other band members.
Now, let’s dive into ‘When Good Men Go to War‘, the newest work from Vexillum, released 6 years apart from their previous full-length ‘Unum‘. This new album will bring you from calm to a raging storm with the uncontrollable force of solid melodies and headbanging guitar riffs and solos -splendidly performed. Even the cover is a great work (kudos to Andrea Butera for the art) as well as the music. Each track seeks for its own identity, one more power, other more folk but all with great quality. Some songs can stand out as in the case of ‘Flaming Bagpipes’. Enjoyable sound by both metal-heads and general audiences.
Possibly everyone finds different things that make them appreciate one song more than another, such as the fresh sound of ‘The Tale of the Three Hawks‘ or the choirs in’ Enlight The Bivouac ‘, even the tin whistle addition like in ‘The Deep Breath Before The Dive’, among other things. All this shows the effort that the band makes to offer a new, fresh, and above all pleasant work. Pure strength in this album that will bring rhythm to your body without notice.
In regards to the production, I just have positive things to say. The quality is undeniable in the mix and mastering. The only negative thing to mention is some choir that felt forced and perhaps did not fit 100% in the song.
To say goodbye, the album ends with a beautiful folk song in Italian. A perfect end in this powered journey that we hope leads us to a new album like this one in the future.
My favorites: ‘The Deep Breath Before The Dive’ and obviously ‘Flaming bagpipes’. Enjoy them!
Tracklist
- Enlight the Bivouac
- Sons of a Wolf
- Voluntary Slaves Army
- When a Good Man Goes to War
- Last Bearer’s Song
- The Deep Breath Before the Dive
- Prodigal Son
- Flaming Bagpipes
- With My Hands
- The Tale of the Three Hawks
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