Nothing pleases me more than writing a review for a new Vulture Industries record. After getting the shaft from Seasons of Mist in 2017, I could only bring Stranger Times to the public via TYMHM. Dark Essence Records was kind enough to send us the promo for this year’s Ghosts from the Past, and ole Grier is happy in the pants. If you’ve never heard of this band, then it’s obvious you don’t read my annual Records o’ the Year, you fuckers. But Vulture Industries sports members from the mighty Sulphur, though this is no black metal group. Instead, Vulture Industries plays a kooky progressive, avant-garde music that is a more accessible, rocking version of Arcturus. With a handful of records under their belt, Stranger Times was the peak release in their repertoire. While I know I’ll enjoy this new record, one can only guess at Ghosts from the Past surpassing the king or kneeling at his feet.
The biggest difference between Stranger Times and Ghosts of the Past is the level of heaviness. Stranger Times is a faster-paced record that keeps up the pace from beginning to end. Of course, you’ll find plenty of slower and melodic moments, but Ghosts from the Past focuses on a mid-paced, rockin’ groove to keep the pace. Interspersed are a lot of up-and-down moments that never derail the record but provide diversity to it. Well, minus “A Strangers Curse,” which kinda drones along before concluding nicely. All this to say, don’t expect a sequel to the untouchable Stranger Times. But the direction here is surprising and will have you singing along just the same.
Kicking things off with a rocking beat to get the foot-a-tappin’ is “New Lords of Light.” Classic in nature, this ditty uses the bass to push along the verses before soaring into a massive chorus that makes me so happy this record is here. As you’ll discover, these Norwegians are all about adding layers, stacking them one on the other. Even this song’s final touch of keys is the perfect icing on the cake. But the ultimate layering comes in the nine-minute closer, “Tyrants Weep Alone.”1 From the acoustic opening to the vocal movement, every piece of this song melds perfectly into the next—no matter if it’s gorgeous, sorrowful passages of the kickin’ plod. The vocals, in particular, Bjørnar Nilsen covers every range and style of his voice. And he nails it in every way, delivering one the best performances of his career.
But my favorites are the back-to-back “Deeper” and “Right Here in the Dark.” The first is a grower. I discovered its impact after a couple of spins. But when you feel the song, you’re as good as fucked.2 The song sets the mood with trumpets before transitioning into a bass-heavy groove. What shocked me the most were the booming, full-choir backing vocals that don’t particularly use words but act as another instrument to the song. But “Right Here in the Dark” hit me right away. With the most-addictive chorus on the album, this rocking number is straight-up fun. Well, before the emotionally-crushing repetition of the song title and melodic conclusion puts me in a fetal position.
After dozens of listens, I love Ghosts from the Past. I like the previous album a touch more than this one, but Vulture Industries never disappoints. Besides my issue with the slow, sinister “A Strangers Curse,” it’s no dud. With the same wild diversity that the band continues to supply, Ghosts from the Past keeps you on your toes from beginning to end. The sometimes subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) layers applied one after the other keep each song interesting no matter how many times you listen to it. And, as I said before, there are some incredible vocal performances here. You can tell the band has been giving it their all in recent years, and there’s no shortage of that on Ghosts from the Past.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: Dark Essence Records
Websites: vultureindustries.bandcamp.com | vulture-industries.net | facebook.com/vultureindustries
Releases Worldwide: June 16th, 2023
