Random Records with Steve O

VRVLVM - VRVLVM

Wenches - 3 Song Demo

It’s the middle of December. It’s cold, it’s dark, it’s dreary, and winter’s just getting started. Actually, it’s like 50 degrees outside and it’s sunny and fuck you climate change. But let’s pretend it’s a gloomy and despondent December, because that’s the perfect soundtrack for VRVLVM (pronounced Verulum). This self-titled debut is the brainchild of James, guitarist for spazzed out hardcore punks Racebannon, as well as bands such as Medusa and Torturess, and well, it is eerie. “This wasn’t created to be appreciated” reads the liner notes to VRVLVM and it falls into that category of unpleasant and disquieting noise. But what sweet noise that is. “I Adevarat Intuneric” is a cacophonous barrage of grinding discord. “II Vantul Revine” is downright haunting and sinister. “III Dhmmona” has a recurring blast of what sounds like strings impersonating a foghorn, which has never sounded so glorious, over some pounding drum machine and even what sounds like an evil snicker right in the middle. “IV Lopata Sange” sounds like a black hole devouring all space around it with an undulating groan. “V Sin Namah” is a mix of feedback laden drone and screeching noise, with a sense of hollowness compared to these other noises that makes it downright frightening. “VI Cenusa Raman” features some of the only traditional noises here, with some ominous riffing, pounding drums, a croak that wouldn’t be out of place on Deathcrush, and a sound coming right out of Helvete’s basement, circa 1992. VRVLVM may claim not to be enjoyable, but there’s a method to the madness here that makes this barrage of noise, which is literally what VRVLVM is, dismally enjoyable.

Elsewhere, Wenches is a different kind of noise – the fuzzed out, rock n roll kind. Featuring James, who is here joined by a cast featuring onetime Racebannon bassist Sal, Torturess drummer Kyle, and The Lurking Corpses guitarist Jarod, Wenches blast their way through a promising, retro-feeling debut. Three tracks comprise the band’s initial demo: two originals and a Bad Wizard cover. And they’re a rollicking good time, drenched with equal parts Fu Manchu-esque fuzz and 70s rock n roll vibe a la Thin Lizzy or Deep Purple. Opener “My Lady’s On Fire” is more of a mid-tempo stomper, almost twice as long as the other two tracks, with some solid riffage giving the track some backbone. It delves into a sweet bridge, built on a strong riff/pounding drum duo. The cover of Bad Wizard’s “Six to Midnite Man” is rad. I’ll admit I had to look up the original, and Wenches’ cover strays true to the source, but adds some bite to the tune. And while it’s a cover, it shows the kind of power the group plays with when they up the pace and the angst, which they do with perfection on the demo’s closer “Bad Man.” Barely eclipsing two minutes “Bad Man” goes full steam ahead. Both this and “Six to Midnite Man” highlight the ire in James’ rock n roll bark. Even a bridge that breaks for some sick bass licks keeps up the unrelenting pace, which launches the band back into the song’s frenetic closure, which barely slows down enough to end. It’s fucking rad.

It should also be noted that the packaging for both VRVLVM and Wenches’ demo is gorgeous. Don’t Panic has a couple copies of each cassette, or you can order your copy through Bandcamp. Take a listen to VRVLVM here and Wenches’ demo here.