VULGE: VULGE ALBUM REVIEW

I was trying to think of an eloquent way to start this review but sometimes you just have to give the blunt and honest truth about how you fell arse backwards into something, and that is exactly how I was introduced to Vulge. Vulge are a hardcore five-piece from the south side of Chicago, formed in 2024 from various other bands in the local scene,

before performing their first live show in May and debuting their self titled album 'Vulge' in September this year. With seven songs and two interludes to go over we have a bit to breakdown, so let's two-step into it.

"I don't need to carry burdens, you're sick, twisted versions all we have." The opening track to the Album is 'Burdened', and it comes out swinging. With chunky guitars, a heavy breakdown that will have you in a slow groove, rhythmic drums and guitars that will pull you into a two-step and a large range of vocal techniques, from fry, gutturals and talk singing you get it all. I appreciate that Vulge doesn't write with unnecessary fluff. You get the message direct and in your face. "There's nothing left for me, burdens come with no rest." On the first few times around listening to this track there were some points that felt familiar and I couldn't figure out what it was, until it finally hit me, and it may

just entirely be the Australian in me, but, 'Smoke 'em if ya got 'em' by Parkway Drive. This is by no means me saying that Vulge have tried to copy, there is just something in the vocal pattern that hits in the same way as early Winston vocals. "I just want you to, keep away, fucking keep away."

Next up is the second track of the album 'Brick By Brick'. "Don't tell me you all agree with this. Don't tell me you know best. Fuck your friends. Fuck your family." As soon as the song begins warning alarms will go off in your brain, the rhythmic and screeching guitars surrounding you and putting you on edge, like you are waiting for a horde of angry wasps to attack you from behind. Throughout the entire song there is an over-arching air of danger and vengeful despair and disappointment. If you need a song that will get you hyped for calling people out and vengeance, you just found it. This track will have you stomping your way through the house thinking about all the people who "did you dirty" and how sometimes you just need to put yourself first and cut  that cord to keep your sanity. "An eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth, I just want to bury you. Brick by brick.

I'll bury you."

'Void' is up next, and if you want a feral pit song, you have it; with drums that are mental from the off, guitars chugging you to within an inch of your life and vocals, guttural and heavy from start to finish. There is a point near the beginning of this track that stops you dead with the use of silence. It is one of those times where the silence hits you harder than any music would. "Cut and grip you and tear you until you cannot see the walls that trap you." The later half of this track actually takes on a somewhat Gojira 'Space Time' era feeling and the drumming techniques displayed in this song are honestly impressive. "Merky waters up to your neck, drown us, drown us all. Void."

'CURBSTOMP INTERLUDE': Features audio from The Sopranos. "Wow! Wow!" "Sit down! Sit down!" "Take it easy." "You mother fucker. My fucking daughter. My fucking daughter. You mother fucker. My fucking daughter"... "Tony. You're making a big fucking mistake here." "I'm going to put a bullet in your fucking head huh." "Don't do it." "You want some?" Trigger Warning! The sounds of a human being bludgeoned to

death may be a bit distressing for some, but it is a fitting opening for the track. The audio takes you straight into 'Curbstomp'. Typically when I review music you will find me with my headphones on, eyes closed and just taking in the music for the first few rounds so I can properly connect to everything without distraction, so I can get the full intention of the artist and when I say I felt like prey being chased before finally getting captured and circled by a hunter... oh buddy. "Tell me what you fear". Vulge know how to make you uncomfortable. The track feels oppressive and heavy, not in the same way as the void, where that is damn near suffocating, like being stuck inside a cage that you know you will never be stepping out of alive. "You fucked around and went ahead and found out, now you cry like a bitch, I'll bury you six feet in a ditch."

'SKULL FUCK INTERLUDE': Features audio from the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket. "Wipe that disgusting grin off your face." "Sir, yes, sir." "Well, any

fucking time, Sweetheart!... Private Pyle I'm gonna give you three seconds; exactly three-fucking-seconds to wipe that stupid looking grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you! ONE! TWO! THREE!" "Sir, I can't help it, sir." "Bullshit! Get on your knees scumbag!". It leads you into 'Skull Fuck' where you are immediately put in a place of revenge and anger at disrespect shown to you. "You'll get what you deserve, there's nothing less to preserve, don't tell me what has been lost for this, take what's left from my emptiness." The entirety of the song feels depressive and maddening, like being at the bottom of an endless pit that you have to climb your way out to break free and move on, but you never reach the top, instead spiralling further as you slide back down the slick muddy walls. Obviously sitting in this kind of feeling isn't good for anyone but considering how Private Pyle's character ends in Full Metal Jacket, the audio is a fitting choice. "Which side of my face, are you gonna lie to, no respect, no loyalty, it's all about saving face, break my neck and take yourself, take from me."

"I don't care. Vomit, bullshit speech." The second last track for the album is 'Born Without Morals'. This song is probably the closest thing you are

going to find to a booty shaker on the album, with its groove drops and bouncy energy. "I don't care. I don't care. Let fucking go. Liars. Cheats." The beginning on the track has a classic heavy metal, windmilling feel to it before shifting to something dirty, grimmy and ever-so-slightly judgy to "shake that ass" to, which is fitting for a song about immorality of conduct. "Born without morals. Born without morals. Born without morals."

Last, but definitely not least, you will finish off your album listening experience with 'No Trust For A Liar'. "Yeah see. I knew it. I knew it. You ain't got to say nothin'. I know that bitch." "Man I don't understand why you keep someone around your business if you can't even trust 'em." "I don't gotta trust her. I know her." This is a scorned lover anthem if I ever heard one. Without trust in a relationship, you have nothing and this song dictates the effects of that quite plainly. "You'll always betray me.

Always beneath me. No trust for a liar. Frozen heart. Now time apart. Let me know. Let me know. Take my crown. Burn it down. Take it now." The vocals in this track do an excellent job at portraying the hurt and suffering that comes along with betrayal of this kind and it hits heavy, because you can tell it is a lived experience and not just words on a piece of paper. "No remorse. Take my cross. Lay me down. Lay me down."

Vulge told me that they were working on this album until they got it perfect, and they weren't wrong. The passion and dedication to the music quality and story telling is definitely there. For a debut album, I am completely blown away. We hope to see you tour in Australia soon.

You can find Vulge on: Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, Instagram and Tiktok

For Fans Of: No Cure, Varials, Jesus Piece and Kublai Khan TX

My Favourite Song: Curbstomp

10/10