Viatorem – Bulls On Parade

Viatorem

Bulls On Parade

by Will Travers at 27 June 2021, 4:29 PM

UK Hardcore outfit VIATOREM have followed up the success of their debut album “No Saviours No Kings” with a two track EP relying heavily on the RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE classic, “Bulls On Parade”, even going as naming the release after their cover of the track. The artwork for this release is fairly non-descript, with a simple V superimposed on a grey background.

The first track in this short release is the titular “Bulls On Parade”. With a bit of Funky bass slapping introduction before a full throttle kick in. The intense and aggressive atmosphere that surrounds the track really does homage to the anti-establishment ethos of the track. It is quite clear that there is a lot of anger and passion that has gone into this and the guys at VIATOREM should be proud that they have delivered such a strong cover of a classic anthem.

“Exalt” begins with some lovely delicate double guitar tracking, something that may not be noremally associated with Hardcore acts, but one that certainly helps to put the emphasis on the dense and heavy kick in. The music is awash with intensity, from blast beats, to the aggressive vocals from Ross, but the delicacy from the beginning wasn’t just a short-lived affair, in behind the dense wall of music, there are little further flourishes of that same delicacy; little licks from guitarists Serge and Pip or even transitioning vocals from harsh to clean(ish) and back again. It just goes to show what skill there is with this young group.

Overall, I’ll admit I was sceptical, with “Bulls On Parade” being such a pivotal and iconic track I wasn’t sure how VIATOREM were going to do it justice really. However, I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard, they took the track and made it their own. “Exalt”, was reminding me of something more like American heavyweights KING810, the vocal style and lyrical content displaying the contempt and despair at the current geopolitical climate. But overall, “Bulls On Parade” shows that there is something bubbling with VIATOREM and I will be intrigued to see what that develops into.

Songwriting: 8
Originality: 7
Memorability: 7
Production: 8