VENDED

When VENDED first emerged, to no small fanfare a few years ago, it was clear that they were not quite ready to roll. The one thing everybody knew was that two members of the band were the sons of Corey Taylor and Shawn Crahan of SLIPKNOT. Beyond that, expectations were minimal, and so there was a slight sense of anticlimax when the band's first music appeared, sounding like a slightly shambolic and naive facsimile of you-know-who. No one could accuse VENDED of lacking enthusiasm, and other people's cynicism about their supposed nepo baby status is definitely not their problem, but everything about their initial launch seemed rather premature.

A lot has changed since VENDED released their 2021 EP "What is It//Kill It". There is nothing half-hearted or hesitant about "Vended": a debut album with plenty to prove, but no shortage of energy and focus with which to prove it. The band's promotional claims that "there's a level of aggression and emotion that's missing from music right now, and we aim to fill that void…" still seem like unnecessary and slightly optimistic bravado, but there is a kernel of truth in there somewhere. "Vended" is not especially original, nor is it in any way more aggressive than countless other bands operating in metal at the moment, but it does sound fresh and distinctive, albeit with a few blatant nods toward Taylor and Crahan's dads.

VENDED have found their musical lane and they are ploughing down it with great intensity. Aside from the aforementioned debt to the heavier end of nu-metal, the young Iowans have also assimilated everything from left-field hardcore to old-school death metal into their formula. Griffin Taylor has developed into to a powerful vocalist, with a fearsome roar, a promising clean tone and a neat line in bellowed slogans. Musically, VENDED are nearly all action: from the opening "Paint The Skin" onwards, "Vended" is neck deep in rage and hostility, and despite numerous big, shiny hooks, there is a dirtiness to the overall sound that adds several layers of bonus authenticity.

There are numerous hints at a more experimental band emerging too, from strange interludes (the 50-second "Going Up" is genuinely unsettling) and sparse, gothic breakdowns, to bursts of formless noise that plunge the listener straight into the heart of a sweaty practice space. But there is plenty of time for VENDED to mature and diversify. For now, "Vended" performs the essential role of a debut album by steamrollering its way through 40 minutes of exuberant chaos. Songs like "The Far Side" and "Am I The Only One" are viciously heavy but melodically sharp. Drummer Simon Crahan has more groove and swing than most of his peers, guitarist Cole Espeland has a rare gift for simple but gnarly riffs and Griffin Taylor is a charismatic chip off the old block.

No records for aggression are being set here, but VENDED can still be forgiven for being a little pleased with themselves. This is a strong start, and the potential here is obvious.