Vardis: Red Eye

VH1's Behind the Music made it possible to interpret major bands within a simple narrative of rise-fall-rise again. Usually, a band's resurgence is presented as a matter of getting sober, getting back on the road, and getting along with former bandmates and best friends. For the most part, we cheer these returns, perhaps seeing them as triumphs of the human spirit or as testaments to the power of music.

With Vardis, I'm not sure the narrative would be so simple. The band took on a legendary status over thirty years ago but has fallen silent since 1986. For some metal fans, the band may be little more than an early NWOBHM act that helped shape the look, feel, and sound of core metal bands. Even though the band never really fell into disrepute, things have either been quiet or complicated for decades. The band has faced complex legal battles and has also had the usual series of lineup changes. I don't think the story is exactly like that of Anvil's (a band eternally poised for something more) but there's certainly something familiar about a once-powerful band trying to make a comeback after all these years. However we want to see Vardis's story, we're glad to see the band back with new music.

On this album, Steve Zodiac is the only original member. Joining him are Joe Clancy (drums) and Martin Connolly (bass). Overall, the band sounds pretty good. I especially loved hearing the warm power and bluesy style of NWOBHM music. Better still, it never sounds like it's trying to recapture an older sound. Instead, the music sounds confident, smooth, and fresh. I thought the songwriting was generally solid and frequently playful. I assume fans of the band will be pleased with this new material even though I'm sure there will be plenty of things to quibble about, to compare, and to avoid. To me, there's more reason to listen than not. Zodiac's guitar playing sounds especially good: riffy, chuggy, and warm.

Track Listing:
1. Red Eye
2. Paranoia Strikes
3. I Need You Now
4. The Knowledge
5. Lightning Man
6. Back to School
7. Jolly Roger
8. Head of the Nail
9. Hold Me
10. 200 M.P.H.
11. Living Out of Touch (Bonus Track)

Added: July 12th 2016
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1270
Language: english

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