VACUUM ROAD: Biopsie (ALTERNATIVE METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Barely three years after their first album, which was noticed and already very promising, the Reunionese of Vacuum Road are back with many ambitions, including that of finally breaking through beyond their native island. For this purpose, the four accomplices entrusted the production of this second album entitled "Biopsie" to Jon Symons (Sonic Drive Studio) in Utrecht.

The same variety of themes and atmospheres that made the (esteemed) success of the first opus is immediately perceptible at the first listening of this "Biopsy". The band claims very marked influences like Katatonia, immediately perceptible on the introductory "To Kill A Father" at first atmospheric and heady until the chorus takes off supported by a sharp riff.

Singing in French made its first appearance in Reunionese music as soon as "Sur le Seuil", one of the album's masterpieces, is released. At first hypnotic and worrying, the track quickly explodes thanks to a riff with a distorted but very melodic sound reminiscent of Kingcrow's Italians, before Thomas sends his plaintive screams on rough but always harmonious guitars. This duality between softness and rage is one of Vacuum Road's trademarks, which uses this contrast to create emotions between darkness and voluptuousness. The magnificent finish pushes the effect to its peak in a mix of post-rock, screamo, hairy riffs and atmospheric metal. A real treat.

Another moment of bravery and emotional highlight of the album, Alain Bashung's cover of "La Nuit Je mens" may well convince you definitively of the talent of the Indian Ocean quartet as the vocal mastery and original orchestration of the piece are so important. Starting with a minimalist piano and guitar, the track takes off with a chorus supported by an exceptional metallic orchestration with mastered and emotional screams. The second part introduces prog metal elements with jerky riffs that blend perfectly with the singing of a very expressive Thomas on the lyrics of the visionary and late French singer. The roller coaster of these rearrangements will make the hairs of metal lovers rise up.

Vacuum Road's talent is also reflected in "Il y a Deux Cadavres dans la Pièce" and "Le Conquérant", built on the same rhythmic and melodic foundations with soft intros and a flood of guitars and raging vocals, while offering rhythmic variations as numerous as intelligent. Two other tracks, sung in English, 'Epiphany' and 'Always On' are much rougher, especially the second, and present a metal between progressive and alternative reminiscent of Mastodon or Messhugah but still bringing its stream of rhythmic variations and returns to the main themes dear to our four musicians. The album ends in the same key as at its opening with an atmospheric closer featuring a jazzy saxophone and a versatile but restrained voice.

There are still some small flaws in the music of Vacuum Road, such as a sometimes slightly manipulated song, and an English accent that can be improved but without affecting the general impression. Some melodies would have been better to be more immediate for more efficiency. But in the end, the impression is excellent and the more personal writing combined with a great technical mastery and very well worked compositions give this "Biopsie" the assets to impose itself in a genre where the followers of Milanku, Tool or Katatonia will necessarily find their happiness. An album in the form of a confirmation for a band that deserves your full attention. - Official website

VACUUM ROAD

BIOPSIE

AUTRE LABEL

ALTERNATIVE METAL