Into The Pit Pick of the Week

Pick Of The Week:  Axewound - Vultures

Axewound is a side project of the lead singer of Bullet For My Valentine doing backing vocals and lead guitar while the lead singer of the Cancer Bats takes the main vocal duties.  They also took the bassist from Rise to Remain and the drummer from Pitchshifter.  It still seems that Matt from BFMV is the main person influencing the band because I do get reminded of them while listening.  Although I am more of a fan of the few harder songs that BFMV has, Vultures expands on the more aggressive style I required.  There are some damn good head banging riffs mixed with intense drums.  The vocals relate a screaming urgency without being screechy.  There are some melodic vocals when Matt jumps in on the mic but it is not overbearing or annoying.  The somewhat opposing vocal styles mesh well together and make you want to jump in and scream along with them.  It is not all ripping fast music though and a few slower songs invade the album.  These definitely have the BFMV feel but are not unwelcoming.  I just prefer all of the faster mayhem that is present and otherwise a great overall album from a side project.  You have money for one new album this week?...It is Vultures from Axewound.