`Battlelines’ is the eighth studio release by Vega. Fronted by the charismatic Nick Workman, Vega’s songwriting team has undergone a shake-up as original members, James and Tom Martin have departed and joined Nitrate.
Workman has linked up with the band’s new drummer, Pete Newdeck to pen tracks for this album. Another change that is apparent is a harder, more guitar-driven sound taking the place of James Martin’s keyboards.
As the first beats bang out and Workman’s strong, clear vocal kicks in, any fears that the change of writing partnerships may have destroyed the Vega sound are instantly laid to rest. In fact, `Heroes And Zeros’ is a modern, fist-punching anthem of the highest calibre. `Killers’ exhibits a heavier guitar sound as Marcus Thurston and Billy Taylor lay down mighty riffs as Workman’s powerful, honey-coated vocal chords rock your soul.
The title track is pure, classic Vega as the track fills with melodies and builds steadily up to an earworm of a chorus. `Love To Hate You’ brings with it a sense of urgency and drive as this high-energy track shows the band are absolutely on fire.
`Don’t Let Them See You Bleed’ is the kind of track that will get the crowd bouncing when played live. This fast-paced modern rocker is one of the many highlights to be found on the album. We return to a heavier bassline that sets the scene for the lyrically brilliant, `Embrace The Grey’. The track is multi-faceted as deep dark vocals, merge with soaring guitar solos and quieter melodies before taking off again as Newdeck ramps up the tempo and paves the way for Workman’s vocal to take off.
`33’s And 45’ is surely the most commercial track to be found here, and what a diamond it is! Infectious hood lines abound on this superb rocker. `Into The Fire’ has a movie soundtrack kind of vibe to it. This track takes a chugging rhythm, ramps up the melodic guitar parts, adds multiple vocal parts and solidifies into an epic monster of a song.
`Run With Me’ is an ultra-modern rocker filled with delays and reverbed drums that see Workman’s voice running at full tilt in all its glory. The twin guitar sound of Messrs Taylor and Thurston launch `Not Enough’ and once more we hear the unmistakable trademark Vega core sound that sets them in a league of their own.
Riffing guitars punch out the rhythm of `God Save The King’. We are exposed to a rawer sound and lyrical content compared to previous Vega outings, but this just serves to illustrate that the band have grown and matured into a band not afraid to push their own boundaries. The last track, `Gotta Be You’ is a guitar frenzy as this delicious wall of sound hammers out the beat of this highly driven track. Some of the best guitar solos are living right here in this song.
Vega have metamorphosized from a good British melodic rock band into one of the Uk’s best rock bands. Every single track here oozes energy. Nick Workman has a voice that remains clear even when he pushes it to the limit and when that is put to great use with the Newdeck/Workman writing partnership then something magical happens.
Vega will please existing fans with this release but will also gain many new ones and long may that continue.
‘BATTLELINES’ IS OUT NOW!
Review: Paul Sabin
BATTLELINES:
CD
1. Heros And Zeros
2. Killers
3. Battlelines
4. Love To Hate You
5. Don’t Let Them See You Bleed
6. Embrace The Grey
7. 33’S And 45’S
8. Into The Fire
9. Run With Me
10. Not Enough
11. God Save The King
12. Gotta Be You
LP
Side A
1. Heros And Zeros
2. Killers
3. Battlelines
Side B
4. Love To Hate You
5. Don’t Let Them See You Bleed
6. Embrace The Grey
Side C
7. 33’S And 45’S
8. Into The Fire
9. Run With Me
Side D
10. Not Enough
11. God Save The King
12. Gotta Be You
13. Too Much Too Soon (Bonus Track Vinyl)
Line-up:
Nick Workman – Vocals
Mart Trail – Bass
Marcus Thurston – Guitar
Billy Taylor – Guitas
Pete Newdeck – Drums
Social Media:
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