(V.E.G.A.) Cocaine
B.M. Records- 2003
By Russell Garwood
At last, the long postponed debut album of (V.E.G.A.) gets to see the light of day small Italian label B.M. Records is to release 333 copies on vinyl. "Cocaine - A Sick Mind's Hologram", the bands first demo, was a combination of caustic black metal and powerful dark ambient, while "Cocaine" sees this sound refined to BM with occasional samples. At recording the line up stood as Steph (vox, synths and guitar), drummer and vocalist Janos (also of Lunaris), and Kekoz (bass). The ten complex songs on "Cocaine" utilise progressive structures, Janos frenetic, skilled drumming and thick blankets of distorted guitar lines, while vocals vary between layered screaming and speech. Sampled sections and slower passages fragment the otherwise relentless songs, which - despite their ferocity - hold your attention throughout. Final track "Vacuum Era Gelid Atmosphere" finishes the album with style, by reverting to the ambient of old, and creating more diversity in this already multi-faceted album. Hidden track "Cocaine", from "A Sick Mind's Hologram" is also a very welcome addition, being some of the best dark ambient youre likely to hear in a while.
Overall, "Cocaine" is a very impressive black metal album, which Im very pleased is to be released. A must for all fans of extreme and progressive/complex black metal, it seems likely the 333 copies will soon be sold out, and I eagerly await any new work from Steph and company, metal or otherwise.
B.M. Records- 2003
By Russell Garwood
At last, the long postponed debut album of (V.E.G.A.) gets to see the light of day small Italian label B.M. Records is to release 333 copies on vinyl. "Cocaine - A Sick Mind's Hologram", the bands first demo, was a combination of caustic black metal and powerful dark ambient, while "Cocaine" sees this sound refined to BM with occasional samples. At recording the line up stood as Steph (vox, synths and guitar), drummer and vocalist Janos (also of Lunaris), and Kekoz (bass). The ten complex songs on "Cocaine" utilise progressive structures, Janos frenetic, skilled drumming and thick blankets of distorted guitar lines, while vocals vary between layered screaming and speech. Sampled sections and slower passages fragment the otherwise relentless songs, which - despite their ferocity - hold your attention throughout. Final track "Vacuum Era Gelid Atmosphere" finishes the album with style, by reverting to the ambient of old, and creating more diversity in this already multi-faceted album. Hidden track "Cocaine", from "A Sick Mind's Hologram" is also a very welcome addition, being some of the best dark ambient youre likely to hear in a while.
Overall, "Cocaine" is a very impressive black metal album, which Im very pleased is to be released. A must for all fans of extreme and progressive/complex black metal, it seems likely the 333 copies will soon be sold out, and I eagerly await any new work from Steph and company, metal or otherwise.
