III

Halloween heavy / speed metal lurkers Vanik are back with their 3rd full length album.

Eerie horror-style soundtrack synths start the record off to a suitably October-y beginning. Glorious riffs soar into life with magnificent energy ripping straight out the gate. Galloping drums back up the monstrous slew of morbid guitars and brutish bass lines with stunning lead work gleaming through the mix. Vanik is back and taking no prisoners. The speeding inferno ramps up the tension and with such a chunky production on the instruments, when the vocals join with their vicious snarls, the mix pulls together gorgeously for a totally killer assault of pure heavy metal horrors that pack one hell of a punch. Much like on previous Vanik releases, the speed metal glory is given a sleazy edge by some punky touches in the vocals and bass lines that elevate the heavy metal carnage to even catchier levels.

Crunchy and tight, the fearsome brutalities churned out seem effortless yet so intricate with the songwriting stepped up a notch since “II” while not losing any of the feel at all. Thumping rhythm guitars and drums really feel like a stake through the heart with a lot of the melody actually coming from the bass work and of course the phenomenal soloing that Mr Vanik himself lays down stunningly. A mix of vocals from harsher snarls to piercing wails give a plentifully varied performance of maniacal lyrics to suit the thrashing frenzy perfectly. There is a bit more atmosphere to this album that has a similar kind of feel to King Diamond (while not sharing so much sonically). Whatever this unique blend is, it’s catchy and absolutely memorable.

Diving in for round after round, the stupefying pieces of blistering metal goodness do not falter in their sway of creepy, grave-robbing anthems. Slower tracks give the ambience plenty of headroom while never overstaying their welcome or becoming boring, always getting straight back to the point. So an unwavering album, but does it have enough growth? The answer, in short, is yes. Each song melts beautifully into the next while still having enough variety to stand alone as a solid slab of monolithic songwriting and piercing musicianship. Progression is here, but so is that pure 80s heavy metal that we all want from a new Vanik release, so do not be disappointed it feels just as good but musically speaking is a touch better. Crushing stuff.

Vanik’s 3rd full length is a scolding lesson in horror-themed speed metal that is so damn 80s you can smell the petulia. This is one of those records that has buckets of fun to offer yet doesn’t feel insincere or like a parody of itself. This could be due to the main-man’s convictions being so unshakable or perhaps the fantastic musicianship, I imagine a mix of the two is the case. “III” is a total ripper, listen to it this Halloween (or before if you dare).

Written for www.nattskog.wordpress.com

The third full-length offering by Vanik somewhat came out of nowhere, but seeing how much I liked Vanik II: Dark Season, this became a priority. Simply titled III (or Vanik III), it delivers more of what they’re great at. Since the beginning, Shaun Paul Vanek and Co. have delivered hefty blasts of heavy/speed metal residing on the rustier side. Picture something like Venom but not quite as abrasive--or in other words, lose the blackened atmosphere.

A notable difference that could be spotted right away is the cleanliness of the riffs and even the vocals a bit here. Though still raspy, the layering is better placed to allow every part to stand out in its own merit, even if it loses a little bit of the bass prominence from before. That also forces room for a tiny drop of melody boost and passages that feel a bit more comprehensive. No worries though, because you still don’t lose that spooky undertow that coats everything this band does.

In fact, it might actually enhance that feature. “The Creature” is the perfect example, holding onto the steady and catchy licks, while breaking out some tighter vocal work. The following number “We Approach” ties this with doom metal crawls to feel even more fitting, and the lead guitar wails on this one add so much tension (in a good way). The overall layout of III is also pretty ideal, as the different approaches of rock ‘n roll, gritty speed, and harsh stomps are dispersed nicely. “Night Danger” couldn’t have been a better track to follow the slowest one, and its complexion itself is so much fun.

​Ultimately, I probably like II: Dark Season a bit better personally because of its blatant raw attack, but this one is definitely a better record objectively. Anybody who is new to the band, this is where I would suggest starting just for the sake of it being an easier swallow. It should go without saying, but this fits in nicely with the other Vanik albums as a Halloween season go-to.

Originally written for Sleeping Village

The Cleveland trio known for its rowdy penchant towards all things monstrous and Samhain-related has returned with Vanik III, available digitally, on CD and 12" vinyl, under Toledo's Austenitized Records (current lowbrow purveyor, exclusively, of Buziraco, Devils, Isenblåst, Ophicvs and Volcana). Featuring front/axe man Shaun Vanik (of Vandallus and live Midnight reknown), Harlot's Grip journeyman Ed Stephens on bass and new drummer Steve (replacing Al Biddle), the Buckeye formation straddles grimy, albeit festive, lines separating traditional and speed metal with crustier punk vibes.

Former instalments Vanik I & II, while maniacally riff-strewn and rampant, shone out of their jocosely saturnine context and themes, alongside innumerable twisted guitar solos, which flew by like so many willow wisps in the wind. Humour was ever-present, as defined by 2018's Robert Calvert cover, "We Like To Be Frightened". However, the emphasis, herewith, throughout III's half-hour of ten throat ripping cavalcades - nine, whence considering spook show affecting, fifty second long, aptly titled "Gateway" introduction - lies within Shaun's motoring, life (and death) sized, fast-paced, hectic riffing.

The proper opening triptych of "Carmilla", one hundred second, haywire lick haymaker (also nobly captioned) "Running Wild" and most iconic, band representative piece, "The Creature", amply convince, whilst token slow-burn, doom-y meanderer "We Approach" levies ghostly balance and class to the arrangement. Together, with five minute "Corpse Room", these fail to fling us through haunted house as vigorously as first few, but, overall, each fits well inside III's framework, ending with pair of broomstick riding arse burners, in own right.

So much for crow's-eye view. As far as street-side zombi(e) dereliction goes, "Gateway", with its old school organ and creepily crepuscular rained-on-church sounds, permits "Carmilla" to bear fangs once preemptive and Megadeth-y, frantically jangling guitar riff bashes through at full throttle, followed by lively, livid leads. Duly, it's the spikiest, most haphazard or erratic cut, thanks to the souped up battery - Stephens' lightning blitz of a saw-toothed bass line resounds in full, shimmying glory. New Vanik-er Steve throws down like a sanguinary school of piranhas on the prowl, as the guitarists do their usual, spaz'd out thing.

A categorically menacing growl predating "Running Wild" puts that Warner Bros. lion to shame, as further ear ravaging, wildly fired off riffage ensues. It's also worth noting how adeptly Vanik handles itself on super short assaults of such Zeke styled, flash in the "van" nature. Due to milder, if not more vintage rocka-rollin', "Raging High" and "Deadly Beginning", as well as gruff, stomping closer, "Never Safe" (which contains riotous gang chorus), am compelled to muse on similarly evoking Boulder, of fellow Ohioan repute.

Although the sludge-y momentum of "We Approach" and hypnotic tale of forensic vertigo, "Corpse Room", take slight back seat to speedier humdingers, still fit III like a rubber bat hanging from the mantelpiece on All Saints Day. Still, if the entire deal rocked as hard as first half (including speed demon "Night Danger"), we'd be even more disheveled by Mad night's end. As an afterthought, Shaun's decryptable, albeit raspy and strangled, vocals evoke those of Midnight's Athenar/Boulder's Jaime Walters.

At first, I intended to save III for this coming dark season (the 31st) but couldn't wait, as it's invoked, daily - nor is Vanik a brand of pickles or shoes, as we now know.