Vexed – Negative Energy | Album Review

Two years has passed since Vexed released their debut album Culling Culture to high acclaim. Many shows and tours later they’re now back in the spotlight to reclaim their spot as Britain’s heaviest band. A spot which they’ve not only claimed once more, but a spot that they won’t be removed from for quite some time.

If you thought Culling Culture was their introduction, then Negative Energy is their blueprint to domination. Twisting genres to create the masterpiece that’s being presented and still sounding fresh in the scene. When the opening of ‘PTS’D opens like Pandora’s box, you’re greeted with the crunchy guitar tone and signature drums of Jay Bacon and Willem Mason-Geraghty respectively. And as soon as ‘Anti-Fetish’ hits, you know what you’re in for. The barrage of twisting guitar riffs and pitch harmonics squeal around Megan Targett’s vicious vocals. Her screams and growls resonating through the entire album backed by Bacon and Mason-Geraghty amplifies the album beyond expectations.

Not only does the band form a cohesive output, but all band members shine through of their own accord. Targett’s performance on ‘Extremist’ & ‘Trauma Euphoria’ show her venomous growls to her soaring high clean vocals as she mixes between both ranges. ‘Lay Down Your Flowers’ shows Jay Bacon’s impressive guitar work reach a new level as he creates riffs after riff upon accompanying guitar squeals heading into djent territory at some points. Mason’s drum work is highlighted on ‘Anti-Fetish’. Simple yet beautifully jarring with his double kicks and fills hitting a breaking point midway through the song.

As Culling Culture was a very honest and upfront album, Vexed have continued that theme with the lyrical content. ‘We Don’t Talk About It’ explores the horrors of childhood trauma and abuse and survivor’s guilt from the point of view of the child. ‘Panic Attack’ focuses on mental health issues as the feelings of dread and frustration are explained through the heavy riffs and doomy vocals. Vexed are as real as it gets with the content of their songs as they’re not afraid to get into the gritty and often taboo subject matters other bands would somewhat avoid speaking of.

You can feel the energy and feelings from the recordings flow through you as the album plays. The harsh vocals spread across the album along with the band make for an often-uncomfortable listen as the album is abrasive but also soothing at the same time. The British metal scene has had a revival over the past few years with bands like Loathe and Vexed taking charge. And with Negative Energy, Vexed will be sitting on the throne for years to come like an immovable object of nature.