The incomparable Vardis slam us Red Eye. Their first for around 30 years after reforming a couple or three years ago the survivors from the good old New Wave of British Heavy Metal days show us that there’s still nothing quite like Steve Zodiac and his cohorts.
After not a little adversity and tragedy over recent times, main man Zodiac has kept the good ship on a firm course as more than ably demonstrated on Red Eye.
That familiar Vardis sound shines throughout. Huge sound, loud and heavy, unmistakably metal, infused with Zodiac’s jingle-jangle blues/rockabilly and even slightly punky style. Unique, immensely enjoyable.
Check out the opening (and title) track. A massive, brooding slow burning riff with the booming bass and quirky drumming. Add to that a burgeoning solo and it’s quite a start.
Paranoia Strikes speeds along with the barked-out chorus hitting home. The Knowledge not dissimilar. A rollickingly upbeat feel and “boogiefied” to the maximum.
Here’s a lyric video for Paranoia Strikes:
Other favourites include Back to School. Another fun, fast rocker with a sense of fun. Jolly Roger too – more massive riffery, blazing solos and huge drum/bass backing it all up.
A massively enjoyable album indeed. The guitar at the forefront as you’d expect. Zodiac shows is chops and variety of style over and over again. Crunching power chords, clever soloing flitting between the outright metal riffery through to the blues-tinged and even a bit of ZZ Top style boogie.
Red Eye is the final recording of bassist Terry Horbury who sadly passed away before the album was released. He can be proud of his efforts here looking down from the big recording studio in the sky.
As can new drummer Joe Clancy. He’s all over it with an energetic performance. Strong rhythms and some nice speedy fills.
Vardis have lost nothing over those long years of inactivity. To come back with an album as good as this shows that they are still in step with plenty to offer.
And with the remarkable Zodiac they have a driving force which should get much more recognition that perhaps he does for that unique guitar sound and ability.
Bag a copy for yourself. Play it lots. Enjoy it lots. Nothing like a Vardis blast. Powerful, strong, upbeat, fun.
>> VARDIS RED EYE ON AMAZON HERE <<
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