Stuns the mind with metalcore music
Minneapolis band Blue Ox have been quiet in the music world since they released their album Stray Dog On Pity Party Island in 2011 but back in April, Blue Ox released the album Holy Vore, and the record is amazing. On each track, Dennis Hanson’s and Luke Olson’s vocals are strong and authoritative. The guitar playing from Logan Kelly, Mike Van Heel and Olson lights the atmosphere with vein-jolting riffs, and the drum playing from Dan Johnson contributes to the insanity with erratic drum beats. Holy Vore is a hardcore album that will leave listeners wanting to hear more.
The ever heart-pounding track “Imploding Lazarus” is a tune that features fantastic guitar playing from Kelly and Heel. Right off the bat, energy surges through as both guitarists smack the background with hard-hitting guitar notes that will cause people to headbang while listening. Although the rest of the instrumentation is well played, the guitar playing shines on “Imploding Lazarus,” and the tune showcases the talent of Kelly and Heel as guitarists.
“Fly by Blight” is a great example of what true metalcore music is. Because of the vocal chemistry between Hanson and Olson, they create a screaming dynamic together. Throughout the whole song, Hanson is howling out the lyrics in rage while Olson uses his powerful voice to bring more emotion. Also, when both vocalists scream and yell out the lyrics, the feeling of never-ending emotion can be felt while listening.
The maddening song “Lesser Gods and the Science of Superstition” is a short composition, but Olson’s bass guitar playing speaks for itself due to how each riff shakes the atmosphere with a high-strung sound. The energetic vibrations can be felt, thundering through the speakers. Olson’s ability to keep up with the rest of the band by playing on a faster musical tempo brings more madness to this tune. “Lesser Gods and the Science of Superstition” is a sweet tune that has Olson playing his heart out on his bass guitar.
The closing song, “Nostrum Bomb,” gives Holy Vore a wild finish that has Johnson rocking the drums. While listening, it is nice to hear Johnson hit each drum head and cymbal with sheer power because the noise brings insanity to this piece, and the faster Johnson plays on his drums, the crazier the music gets. “Nostrum Bomb” is a nonstop track that has incredible drumming from Johnson.
Despite the 10-year gap between albums, Holy Vore is an enjoyable record that shows how strong Blue Ox is as a band.
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