Vampire – Rex

Vampire

‘Rex’

Century Media Records

Death/Thrash Metal

FFO: Possessed, Repugnant, Tribulation, Necrowretch, Dissection, Celtic Frost, Venefixion

Vampire have had a baptism by fire, hitting the ground running with their eponymous debut album in 2014 and their superb sophomore album ‘With Primeval Force’ in 2017. Since then, the band returned to their coffin to slumber. But 2020 has stirred and awoken them and with it, Vampire begin a feeding frenzy with their latest album ‘Rex’.

                It was always going to be a tall order to reach even the outer limits of their second album. But with ‘Rex’, Vampire are on its tail, always hunting with the smell of blood in the air. Therefore, it is no surprise that with ‘Rex’, Vampire channel their energies into the same mould. This, of course, is no bad thing as Vampire’s splicing of thrash and death metal has all the loveable hallmarks that would appeal to fans of Repugnant, Necrowretch and Tribulation, but also easily managing to touch base with the likes of Possessed, Celtic Frost and even Dissection. All this means is that ‘Rex’ has the ability to appeal to a broad demographic as tracks such as ‘Wiru-Akka’, ‘Anima’ and the title track stand out as some of the bands best work. This is all packaged up within a stellar production that may just be one of the best metal productions that you will hear this year. However, as always with Vampire, ‘Rex’ is initially gripping and excellent, but it does lack a certain staying power and whilst the album is superb whilst playing, there really isn’t anything that is ultimately memorable or give the listener the massive urge to immediately replay and unfortunately is easily forgotten.

                All that being said, get hold of ‘Rex’ and whilst the album is spinning, the listener will be held within its thrall until the spell ends. The side effects of the spell wearing off are lethargy and an overwhelming sense of ‘meh’ until the listener feeds again. So, that means the best way to approach ‘Rex’ is to feed little and feed often and it is there that the beauty of this record is held.

Adam McCann