VERTICAL AFTER
"Bloody
Murdo" (Self-produced)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Vancouver, Canada's Vertical After plays eclectic metal that morphs many genres and styles and isn't afraid to be creative - something that's rare these days and something that, unfortunately, can scare the chicken-hearted record labels away.
In a world where every label is looking for the next Creed, Limp Bizkit or Slipknot, there's nothing as refreshing as a band that takes chances with their music. Even more refreshing is when the band is as successful as Vertical After. I won't mince words here - Vertical After may not appeal to everybody. Their music is hard, heavy and rough-edged but it also pushes the borders of any genre you can imagine. According to the band's letter to Rough Edge, they play "a wide range of styles, from pop and jazz to the metal they grew up on." That statement is an apt description of Vertical After's sound. It's also telling that Doug Pinnick of King's X produced the band's 1999 album, "Pop Goes Death," because Vertical After show the same kind of musical courage that King's X always have. What's more, the band's lyrics are as daring as the music - sometimes very intelligent, sometimes just humorous. Here's to hoping that Vertical After are rewarded for that courage with a big record contract sometime soon.
"Bloody Murdo" was produced by Stuart Carruthers of Grip, Inc.
VERTICAL AFTER: Kick, Sol, Keith, Hart.
For more information, check out http://www.verticalafter.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This
record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it
will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Copyright © 2002 by R. Scott Bolton. All
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Revised: 14 Jun 2020 15:11:02 -0400
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