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VULTURE - Dealin' Death - 8/108/10
Summary
Metal Blade Records
Release date: May 21, 2021
[spoiler title=’Metal Express Radio – Ratings Scale’ style=’default’ collapse_link=’true’]
10.0: Cannot be improved! Perfect, instant classic! Essential in any record collection.
9.5 – 9.9: Fantastic, spectacular and outstanding!
9.0 – 9.4: Amazing release! It just lacks that little extra spice to make it perfect.
8.5 – 8.9: Exceptional release! Will likely rank among top ten albums of the year.
8.0 – 8.4: Great release! It has many different qualities.
7.5 – 7.9: Above average! It is an enjoyable release.
7.0 – 7.4: It is not brilliant, but has many strong points.
6.0 – 6.9: It has its moments, but is not that strong.
5.0 – 5.9: Slightly above average, does not stand out. Good outweighs bad by just a little.
4.0 – 4.9: Just below average, bad outweighs good by just a little.
3.0 – 3.9: Mediocre. There might be a song or a performance that is enjoyable, but that is it.
2.0 – 2.9: Very weak! There might be a light at the end of the tunnel, too many flaws.
1.0 – 1.9: This release gives the word “terrible” new meaning.
0.1 – 0.9: Awful! Avoid at all cost. There is nothing good to say about this release.
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User Review
( votes)The Backstory
Germany’s Vulture debuted with the release of their EP Victim To The Blade in 2016. Their first full-length album The Guillotine followed a year later. In 2019 Vulture unleashed Ghastly Waves And Battered Graves. This year sees the release of their 3rd full-length album Dealin’ Death.
[Read our 2021 interview with S. Castevet HERE]The Album
Don’t let the somber intro “Danger is Imminent” fool you, things are about to get heavy. “Malicious Souls” kicks things off with a wild scream, followed by the twin guitar assault of S. Castevet and M. Outlaw. L. Steeler is maniacal in his vocal delivery. Vulture go for the jugular once again with the frenzied track “Count Your Blessings.” G. Deceiver’s pounding drum work will have you banging you head instantly, while guitar fanatics will appreciate the solo work.
“Gorgon” fades in at a marching pace that’s not as frantic as those that came before it. Don’t adjust your ears, that is a piano run that leads into the driving guitar riffs. L. Steeler is a little more melodic here, as is the band, and he uses his accent wails where appropriate. Vulture ramps back up tp break-neck speeds on “Star-Crosssed City” and “Flee the Phantom.”
The thumping bass of A. Axetinctor propels “Below the Mausoleum,” a track that flirts with The Cask of the Amontillado lyrically. Is L. Steeler acting as the evil narrator or the evil assailant? Tough to say. In keeping with dark literary themes, the album’s title track “Dealin’ Death” draws from The Pit and the Pendulum. “The Court of Caligula” employs a cult like chant in its chorus and delivers some twisting tempos and vocals as it brings the album to its conclusion.
The Verdict
Everything about Vulture screams ‘83-‘84 Thrash Metal. It’s not just their sound, it’s their look, their album covers, their music videos…you name it. With Dealin’ Death, Vulture delivers a sonic punch of fast guitars and drums, highlighted by intense and demonic vocals. Not to mention dark tales of horror that would do Poe and Lovecraft proud. Vulture isn’t reinventing ‘80s Thrash Metal here, but they sure are having fun with it.
Tracklist
- Danger is Imminent
- Malicious Souls
- Count Your Blessings
- Gorgon
- Star-Crossed City
- Feel The Phantom
- Below the Mausoleum
- Dealin’ Death
- Multitudes of Terror
- The Court of Caligula
Vulture is
L. Steeler – Vocals
S. Castevet – Guitar
M. Outlaw – Guitar
A. Axetinctor – Bass
G. Deceiver – Drums
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