According to the band Buried In Verona, they have been through hell and back to get where they are. Fueled by their rage and defiance, the band from Sydney created their newest album Vultures Above, Lions Below via Rise Records August 7th. The powerful and raging sound throughout its running time allows the listener to truly feel the pain and anger weaved into each and every track. However, Vultures Above, Lions Below is not the first rodeo the band has participated in. Debuting with Circle the Dead in 2008, in 2010 they followed up with Saturday Night Sever, and Notorious and Faceless hit #20 and #15 on the ARIA chart in 2012 and 2014 respectively. Now making the most of recent hardships, Buried in Verona really push their limits and test their skills with their latest record fully written and produced by the band featuring Brett Anderson as vocals, Richie Newman on guitar, Mark Harris on guitar, Brandon Martel on bass, and James Swanson on drums.
Starting with “Vultures Above,” it hits off with a psychedelic melody which might remind one of Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells,” the theme from the 1978 movie The Exorcist. Not long after the band captures their audience with the hypnotizing tones, the hardcore intensity starts to leak in and prepare them for what is to come. The burning fury found within the heavy riffs and blazing double bass drumming will have listeners hooked as soon as the beat kicks in. The use of clean and chanting-like lines found within the chorus add a dynamic that captures that listener and adds a certain spice one might not find in a song containing only clean vocals or screaming. The perfect mixture of both creates a wonderful song with power and emotion.
Then “Extraction” takes the audience on a trip into another world. Another world of music that is. The song starts off with echoing strings which continue behind the rest of the track during the intro to the song. The combination of the echoing melody with the heavy dropped chords and screaming vocals gives the listener a chance to feel many different emotions such as anger, but also serenity at the same time. The ability to combine opposites is not a talent all bands have, but Buried In Verona hits the nail right on the head. The song continues with heavy vocals during the verse into the trademark clean chorus found within most Post-Core and Metalcore songs. The noose around the listeners neck will have them choking until the intensity in extraction burns it away.
Next, “Dig me Out” immediately begins with a catchy riff and a chilling whisper that forces the audience onto their feet to jump around and sing along. Contrary to most of their other songs, “Dig Me Out” follows a different vocal pattern. While most songs have screaming verses and clean choruses, this track changes the game by having clean verses and a screaming chorus. As a result, many will find themselves preparing for the breakdown which flows perfectly into the heavy chorus, leaving their head spinning.
Many can relate to having the feeling of music sweeping them off their feet, and “Hurricane” will do just that. A steady and catchy riff starts the track with power and emotion, while the verse leaves the listener in the eye of the storm with the false calm they think they will experience. The thunder comes in the pre-chorus, where screaming vocals leads the listener right into melodic and powerful cleans that captivate all who listen. Not soon after, a shredding solo is added in for the little bit of flash every storm needs. “Separation” kicks off with that heavy anger that one expects to hear from each and every track. Even the clean vocals have a grit to them, allowing the listener to really hear the emotion through each and every word.
After all of the anger and hate calms down, what is left? The sadness left within the shell of a man can be more than felt in the track “Can’t Be Unsaid.” This track really shows that the band has been through a lot and how they will change and adapt to each and every event in their lives. Although screams are scarce in this song, the feelings found between each lyric really flows through the record and into the listener’s heart. Even though there are walls that the band has come to face with, they have used the power within themselves to break through and remake themselves even better than before.
At the midway point in the album, “Reflection” starts off with a slow riff mixed with a frantic and fast-paced melody of strings, quickly followed by distorted guitars. The song discusses the cover one may place over who they really are. When you look in the mirror, do you see the true self or just a mask? The song really hits home with the emotional connection between being what people want, and being who they really are. The verse leads into a question, “Who do you see?” The chorus immediately zooms in with an answer which many hold within their hearts. It discusses the vulnerability one shows after heartbreak, which is usually what promotes putting on a mask in the first place. The song really allows the listener to reflect on their own views of themselves, while still truly enjoying a good song.
The album continues with the flame fueled track “Done for Good.” The track shows the struggles that one faces when they truly search for themselves. Each verse really makes the listener think about questions in their own life. Next, “Pathways” and “Unbroken” really push the limits of the anger. Both tracks show the demons of the past and how they continue to haunt a person. Even though those ghosts exist, the power of the individual is enough to conquer them. The album continues with “Bring Me Home,” a track that continues the emotional trip the listener can experience through the whole album. Losing ones self after emotional turmoil is easy, but if they have someone to help guide them home, the weight becomes a much lighter burden.
Finally, the album closes with “Lions Below,” and the chaos that ensues is enough to drive any Metal fan into a mosh pit or a fit of head-banging. The feeling of no longer caring what anyone else thinks is one that resembles that of breaking away from chains. Both the listener and the band “cut away their ties” and “set the bridges on fire” as they walk forward without looking back. Lies no longer blind, hate no longer binds, the freedom found within the last track will have many jumping out of their seat and chanting along.
Overall, Vultures Above, Lions Below has a burning intensity that any Metal fan will enjoy. The album gains a new sense of honesty and realism as it was created and forged through the efforts of the band alone. In fact, many may say this album is the “sink or swim” point for the newbies of the group. Only Anderson and Newman remain since their inception, while the rest are new. Though, despite being fresh to Buried In Verona, an obvious chemistry can be heard flowing between them from track to track. Along with the great guitar riffs and blasting drum beats, the emotional lyrics allow connection and attachments to be made. CrypticRock gives this album a solid 4.5 out of 5.
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