From Bandcamp, "VEXING are a Progressive Sludge trio that doesn't make the most soothing music. But that's all by design. With influences stemming from Sludge acts like YAUJA and INTER ARMA, but also from more Progressive acts like RUSSIAN CIRCLES and even RUSH, the music is a certain grinding brand of sludge that reaches towards a more dynamic sound." The new album her has eight songs.

"The Mold" is the first track. Some muddy distortion opens the song, followed by a fast moving riff and guttural vocals. The sound is definitely anything but soothing, indeed. The music is cold, sterile, and somewhat evil. Think of mold and how repulsive it is to people. "Vanquishing Light" is no more welcoming. This song starts at the edge of the cliff and dives deep into the well below the riverbed. By the time you come up for air, you are covered in mud. Dissonant tones come from the guitars, and the vocals are a steady rage. "The Invisible Hand" is a dark decent into madness. The main riff has a bit of a groove to it, but when it finally settles, it is as black as Satan's soul.

"Shallow Breath" is another dissonant, and harrowing offering. The band plays with the meter a bit, into odd and unusual patterns. At one point, the chaos comes bubbling over with a thick and fetid odor. "Howling" is what creatures do in moonlight. This song is all about that mystical atmosphere that comes with the moon hanging high overhead. I like the reprieve it brings. "Blunderbuss" is defined as "a firearm with a short, large caliber barrel which is flared at the muzzle and frequently throughout the entire bore, and used with shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity or caliber." I believe it was an antiquated weapon. "Small Black Flame" has a tense sound, from the thick bass notes and sludgy guitar riffs, and a darting in and out of the light that occurs throughout.

"Red Skies" closes the album. Red skies usually mean no rain the next day, but in this case, the rain falls, and it falls heavily. The aggressive and dissonant sound is marked by Progressive elements in the meter and ugly, distressing vocals. Overall, I can agree with the band that this album is not soothing in any way. Its edges are sharp, and the points dig deep. But that doesn't mean the music is not enjoyable. Indeed, it is misery and anguish, in every loving sense of these words.Purchase Link:

https://vexing.bandcamp.com/album/grand-reproach