WOW… Now this was a surprise. I never expected to hear anything from this bunch again. Some bands have a handful of years between albums, some bands, like BOSTON, go a little further but VARDIS beats most of them. It is THIRTY years since the release of their last studio album VIGILANTE and so much time has passed I had to revisit my old CD’s to remember what they sounded like!
Formed in the North of ENGLAND in 1973, they spent years plying their trade playing live and building up a following. Their debut album (100 M.P.H.) wasn`t released until 1979. They also played the HEAVY METAL HOLOCAUST festival in 1981 on the bill with RIOT, TRIUMPH, MAHOGANY RUSH, OZZY & headliners MOTORHEAD. Three more albums followed (The World`s Insane-1981, QUO VARDIS-1982 & VIGILANTE-1986) before they split up in 1986.
They finally reformed in 2014 to play festivals in Europe with only front man STEVE ZODIAC an original member, their first new material for 29 years arrived with the release the 200 M.P.H. EP IN 2015.
Now here we are with their first full album in 30 years. So, what`s changed? The voice may be a tad coarser these days but the chugging guitar sound remains. The rhythm section of Joe Clancy (drums) and Martin Connolly (bass) pounds along on opener the title track which starts the album off. This sounds like an album from the NWOBHM period, albeit updated. Steve Zodiac is a very accomplished and impressive guitarist and his voice is very easy to get reacquainted with.
There are high points, like JOLLY ROGER, the slide guitar boogie of HOLD ME NOW and 200 M.P.H with its pounding rhythm. It may take a couple of listens if you aren`t used to his vocals, which may be an acquired taste but there is no mistaking the musicianship. A grower of an album, but it is worth the effort.
TRACKLIST
TRACKLISTING: 1. Red Eye 4:08 | 2. Paranoia Strikes 3:36 | 3. I Need You Now 3:26 | 4. The Knowledge 4:24 | 5. Lightning Man 3:33 | 6. Back To School 3:36 | 7. Jolly Roger 5:15 | 8. Head of the Nail 4:22 | 9. Hold Me 4:59 | 10. 200 M.P.H. 7:47 BONUS TRACKS: 11. Living Out Of Touch 3:31 | 12. 200 M.P.H. (Reprise) 3:38
