Vis Vires – Awaken

Contra Records/The Firm Records/Battle Scarred Records/Common People Records/Comandante Records

 

One review that is long overdue is without a doubt Vis Vires’ 2021 single “Awaken”. Not only did it took the postal services well over three months to deliver this bad boy, it also took me another eight months to drop the hiatus and get myself behind a laptop to actually start writing again and today about Vis Vires in particular!

 

The reason behind this is twofold. The first reason is because I (obviously) have some catching up to do, while the second reason is the upcoming split single with LVGER that is bound to be released by Contra, The Firm and Mister Face Records. So before I can get to that, it only seems fair to review “Awaken” - which was released by Contra, The Firm, Battle Scarred, Common People and Comandante Records – first!

 

And what a release this is! Los Angeles’ powerhouse Vis Vires always delivers with their brutal yet highly melodic mix of brickwall Oi! and forceful heavy metal, but on “Awaken” this hybrid is more vile and vibrant than ever before! Since it’s a single it only has two tracks (unfortunately), but I can easily classify the two as the band’s best work to date! Title-track “Awaken” is a mid-paced slugfest with a heavy chorus and a relatively short but razor sharp guitar solo, while “Winter” is a fast-paced skullcrusher with a sick guitar sound that keeps on roaring throughout the track! Both topped off with vocalist Anthony’s tough as nails vocals I’ve been a fan of ever since I first heard The Hardknocks’ “American Heros”!

 

“Awaken” is pressed on gold/blue (150 copies), gold (150 copies) and black vinyl (200 copies) and a must for those who like their Oi! heavy and metal! Brilliant!