This is said to be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of VEGA and I can no more than agree. That the group is not more widely recognised is more down to bad luck than anything else, because I believe they are one of UK’s finest melodic Rock bands. Hardrock, Glam Rock and New Wave of British Heavy Metal, combined with a positive feeling that is contagious and their music is easy to take in. The British guys new ”Grit Your Teeth” is their sixth album and it is a true boost of joy.
They were formed in 2009 and took their name after the fifth brightest star in the night sky. The group’s greatest success so far was achieved with the fourth album ”Who We Are” (2016). It was like they had put the VEGA-puzzle together and presented a work that appealed to both Pop and Rock fans. They went on tour with DAN REED NETWORK. Their show on Hard Rock Hell the same year became known as legendary. Between now and then ”Only Human” was released (2018). It focused on strong harmonies, big choruses and good lyrics, which is the core strengths of this band. That is also very clear on this new disc and I love it. The previous production ended up on No.3 in the UK National Rock Chart. They toured with THE QUIREBOYS, SKID ROW and many others. This also included a stop at Download Festival, along with their heroes DEF LEPPARD and WHITESNAKE.
Lead vocalist Nick Workman once commented: "We wear our love of 80's rock music on our sleeves, but we also have injected our love of modern rock music to it. We are not trying to rehash anything. The sound we have achieved is 100 percent VEGA. We didn't want to try and guess what people expect and get it wrong." It is not that the guys do not like it, because they do, but to be put in only that genre is nothing the members want or had in mind. Instead the idea was to add new flavours. Bassist Tom Martin has said: ”We don’t want to be an eighties throwback.” I can calm him down with saying that this record of course has those elements, but it does not take over. This material sounds fresh and new. However, ”Consequense Of Having A Heart” must be mentioned, in which similarities from the happy decade are most strong. Lovely keyboardplaying begins, made by the bassist’s twin brother James Martin. Together with the whole structure, especially in the verses, the feeling of clear influences from that time is supported. What I especially recognized was the pop-thumping bassplaying from Tom and it made me full of laughter, but in a heartfelt way. The title track "Grit Your Teeth" also has a touch of that time period. The introduction leads my thoughts to GUNS N'ROSES, but after that it only sounds like VEGA. It is heard that they have fun, you get happy and the music is very good, which this song is a great example of.
The singer has told that his vocal influences are Ray Gillen (BADLANDS), Joe Elliott (DEF LEPPARD), Kip Winger and Joey Tempest (EUROPE). Nick has also likened VEGA’s style to that classic era of BON JOVI and DEF LEPPARD. Workman has a clear voice and a cool, nice detail is how he easily slips up into falsette. A good example is in "Battles Ain’t A War". Excellent guitar playing is found in many places and in this melody it is outstanding. Their music may be performed in an easy manner, but they do not lose the feeling and presence. Here it is both relaxed and strong. It gets extra emotional with help from the background choir. This is an amazing piece.
The brilliant "Don’t Fool Yourself" is good in a way that tickles you, especially the superb chorus. Deep tones from the bass guitar versus the frontman's brighter voice becomes a fantastic combination, giving both depth and variation to the composition. Despite the lyrics, here is an incredibly positive feeling. It is encouraging and gives a very strengthening energy.
Nick begins the verses in "Man On A Mission" by singing through a megaphone. Then it becomes Rock'n'roll with heavy, nice bass guitar tones, a bit twisted in minor. Before the chorus we hear the words "nothing can stop me" and it becomes strong power, with several male voices. Martin "Hutch" Hutchison is beating fast on the drums at the end.
As the final number we get ”Done With Me”. It is straight and honest. Nothing complicated, so without doubt you become happy. It is in some way welcoming and gives a feeling of belonging or fellowship. "Hey, hey, hey!" will be sung with joy at concerts and venues around the world, when it is possible to perform live again. These wonderful moments, when we all stand there and feel united.
The new release is a flawless production. Professionally done, as always, when it is in collaboration with Frontiers Records. "I don't need perfection" Workman sings in the song with the same name, but overall the whole work is perfection in terms of music and compositions, without being too controlled. It rolls on and just comes out as it is.
This is an album that probably will be played often in my home. "Grit Your Teeth" is suitable for both everyday life and at parties. At home on a high volume in the living room, sing along to in the car, or enjoy in headphones on journeys. Not to mention concerts, from clubs to big arenas. In other words, I would like to say everywhere. A record filled with joy and you long to hear it again. This music brings a wonderful sense of freedom. (Anna)
Bewertung:
9 / 10
Anzahl der Songs: 11
Spielzeit: 42:16 min
Label: Frontiers Music s.r.l.
Veröffentlichungstermin: 12.06.2020
