Vendetta (UK)
World Under Fire

May 2012
Released: 2012, Lion Music
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: JP

There must be 20 bands around the world called Vendetta with the German thrash band likely being the most well-known. This British quartet are laying pretty good claim to the name with this being their third album on the esteemed Lion label. Anders reviewed the bands debut and wasn’t favorable, but I enjoyed the debut, missed the second (HERETIC NATION from 2009) and am now reacquainting myself with their latest full-platter.



The album opens with ‘Convergence’ a brief, echoed instrumental opener that pans back and forth across the speakers until the song proper ‘Halo Of Black’ kicks in with a bang. The band surges along at a fast pace but not all-out speed. There are lots and lots of guitar without any other sonic distractions, just Metal. The drumming is rarely double kick based but still fast enough to please. There is some just superb soloing at the 2:27 mark on the song ‘Fragmented Reality’ and it seems like the guys trade off solos, two solos each, not unlike Downing and Tipton, for a full-minute each. The album closes on an especially punchy note with the cut ‘We Are Legion’.



The lyrics are above average on WORLD UNDER FIRE with a few clever turns of phrase and good wordplay. For example on the song ‘The Ghost Inside’ they take a universal topic, broken hearts and betrayal, and add an intelligent lyrical approach. The vocals of Edward Box are clear and loud in the mix so you can get a good sense of what he is singing about. His voice is an ear-catching mix of Vince Neil and Glam from Wigwam.



To top it all off the ten-track, 45 minute album features a killer cover depicting a giant fiery demon dude, storming along. The band looks good, sounds good and delivers the goods.