Vittra – Wardens

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VITTRA is a melodic death/thrash/black metal band from Sweden who formed in 2017. They blend a lot of different styles together at once—-and rip you into pieces while doing it. Seriously, this fifteen minute, four track long debut EP is absolute in its ability to take the listener on a blistering ride of carnage and mayhem. They are heavier than your average melodic death band, tighter and more forward thinking than most thrash bands and have a keener sense of melody and style than a lot of black metal.

The song writing is tight, melodies locked down and the songs are catchy with serious musicianship backing it all up. What more could you possibly want? "Necrotic Apocalypse," opens with focused drumming that leads the charge with rapid fire riffs and bass on the heels. The death growls and screams push the song to the limit as the riffs break away for one catchy ass chorus—-and the singer barking like a mad man while the drums batter the atmosphere is intense yet fun all at the same time.  This song is a fucking blast and I can tell the band had fun tearing this up.

"Modest Charade" sounds like what IN FLAMES should have become but the drumming sets it apart from being another clone. There is an air of excitement that permeates throughout the song but the instruments all come together in a very professional manner. Is this really their debut? They are as tight as some well established bands. How about the beautiful mid section with medieval guitar and lush melodies? It sounds natural and well placed while perfectly meeting the rest of the song on the other side.

"Cloudbreaker" has a beat that demands headbanging. The vocals are dangerous. The chorus is energetic and thoughtful. What does this all mean? It means this one well put together song that will get relegated listens while putting a smile on your face. If the band keeps writing songs like this one then the sky is the limit for them. The last track "Wardens of the Grove" has the speed and fury of black metal, not to mention the abrasive vocals. But the bands sense of adventurous melody is never lost among the start and stop riffs or the fast drums. Around the 2:24 mark and ear worm in riff form infects the brain and controls your very emotions. The guitar gets more intricate as the vocals are spit out like cobra venom.

This highly impressive debut should not go unnoticed—-if you don’t have 15 minutes to spare then you need to make room for it because this is an EP that is begging to be heard by a band that is clearly hungry for success.

Songwriting: 8
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8