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Virgil & The Accelerators chat to Pete Feenstra for his Feature show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio on Sunday 28 September, 19:00 GMT (repeated Tuesday 30 September at 21:00) More information
Mystic [Release date 06.10.14]
Having made a big impression with their rock-blues debut album ‘The Radium’ and having consolidated their standing as one of the most exciting young bands on the circuit with ‘Live at Marshall’, ‘Army of Three’ finds VATA taking the next step forward towards arena rock.
Last year, Virgil snaffled the coveted ‘Best Guitarist 2013’ category at the Euro Blues Awards and ‘Army of Three’ finds the power trio pushing their blues-rock hybrid into full rock mode.
They’ve hooked up with hard rock producer Chris Tsangarides who transforms Virgil’s burning licks, Gabe’s explosive drumming and the trio’s collective energy into an enveloping wall of sound.
‘Army of Three’ has the swagger of fellow touring band Tracer, though Virgil’s incendiary soloing is closer to Philip Sayce’s unfettered bluster. They’ve also managed to retain an organic jam feel that sometimes bubbles up before the hooks.
Aside from a big sound, the production places the dynamic emphasis on a succession of drop-downs, pregnant pauses and focuses on additional exclamatory chants and hypnotic ‘oohs’ to sucker us into the hooks.
This is especially so on ‘Blow To The Head’, which is of full crunching chords, a chant style hook and an avalanche of searing guitar over some extravagant cymbal splashes.
Longer term fans might be surprised at the rock direction of the album, but need look no further than the coruscating wah-wah solo that snakes its way though the opening ‘Take Me Higher’ as confirmation of the new found melodic hard rock direction.
The album also contrasts Virgil’s warm, close to the mic vocal with the intensity of his solos. His best vocal work comes on the verses and in the album’s more mellow moments, but he struggles with his range on songs such as ‘Take Me Higher’ and ‘Give It Up’. His phrasing could also be better on ‘Through the Night’, but this is palpably a band that seeks to push on to another level while retaining its edge. Chris Tsangarides’ expansive production manages to glue together a tic-toc rhythm with layered guitar tones and a distant synth line, as the band finish on a dreamy jam like outro
The powerhouse single ‘All Night Long’ features high octane shredding, killer riffs and cymbal grabs to hit the spot. Gabe’s powerhouse drumming and Virgil’s fiery riffs head for the stars, as bassist Jack Alexander Timmis somehow manages to hold it all together.
‘Love Aggression’ offers a change of pace with a close to mic confessional from Virgil on a passive /aggressive relationship song. It’s got a very catchy groove full of space, effective whispered vocals and a magnificent solo that shows just what he is capable of.
In contrast ‘Give It Up’ opens with a galloping drum roll and is a primal thrash full of buzz guitar before an unexpected blues harp wail and a very obvious repeated hook.
The band has to work hard to transform the double tracked vocals and dirgy stomp of ‘It Burns’ into something worthy of its uplifting hook and big toned solo, while Virgil’s muscular solo also rescues the rather pedestrian ‘Stand Up’ before an unexpected break- down.
‘Anymore’ is an 80’s style big hair rock ballad with Lizzy style harmony guitars that sounds like link-piece to the more substantial quasi southern rock anthem ‘Free’. The tale of an unrequited love is home to a big chorus and a melodic guitar sweep that takes the song to another level, one which Virgil’s vocal sometimes struggles to reach. However, as with the album as a whole his imperious guitar line carries the song home.
‘Army of Three’ is powered by the trio’s irresistible energy, free flowing melodies, catchy hooks, burning riffs and Gabe’s up in the mix drums. It’s an album that works hard to balance natural exuberance with the discipline of song writing. And while songs like ‘Give It Up’ and Stand Up’ are a shade one dimensional, on balance it rocks hard enough to warrant purchasing. ****
Review by Pete Feenstra
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
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