Vendetta – Tyranny Of Minority

Very rarely do any of us put on a new album and get into it on first play. Well the first offering from Newcastle’s finest hits the nail from the off. Vendetta are a classic 5 piece metal band and ‘Tyranny Of Minority’ is a classic metal album.

So who are they I hear you ask. Well, they are loyal servants to the very essence of classic 80’s metal. However the sound is fresh, the songs are present and the performances of each member are Grade A. The leader is the hugely talented Edward Box – one of the finest ‘melodic meets metal’ guitar players on the planet – he should be famous and would have fitted into literally any classic 80’s band with ease. He axe partner in crime, Pete Thompson would have had little trouble either. They are a fine double act, but the superior level of ability they possess compared to many other more ‘famous’ dual-guitar bands, is apparent from the start.

If you take a big bowl and throw in some Judas Priest, Dokken, UFO and Dio and then mix it all up - what do you get? Vendetta! Throw in a bit of Sabbath and Maiden, some classic Queensryche and even a dash of Europe and what a feast we have before us. The production is solid and indeed excellent considering probable budget limitations. The musicianship is first rate. Lyrically, the songs are very hard edged and Box clearly has much to say about world politics, social inequalities and some angst-ridden opinions in general. His vocals deliver these tales with conviction, sensitive at times and hard when required. His vocals also remind me of Robert Ernlund from Swedish rockers Treat, as well as a sprinkling of Joey Tempest and some gasps of Robert Fleischman (Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion). His guitar playing in however his true natural talent – hugely shred aware, but laden with tasteful melodies and a soulful touch that practice can’t buy.

Overview!

Album highlights include the opening sequence – a grand dual-guitar entrance leads to ‘Generation Kill’ which sets the tone nicely – the main riff reminds me of Testament’s ‘Electric Clown’. ‘I Executioner’ and ‘Doorways Of The Mind’ are both pretty dark with some tasty pedalled–riffs – the latter feels very classic. ‘Golden Boy’ is an even more classic sounding 80’s LA rocker. ‘Red Skies’ continues in this vein, hints of Dokken but still very much Vendetta. ‘Bones To Dust’ is a Megadethesque blinder with strong hints of Sabbath’s ‘Heaven and Hell’. ‘Lost Cause’ is my favourite track – sonically, it is still very classic but feels very fresh – a great song.

Conclusion

My conclusion is simple. Anyone who craves a 2007 version of the sort of metal and hard rock that paved the way in the 80’s, should buy this album now.