With a band name like Vessel and a label name like Burning Records, what else could this be but hardcore? Now, it's pretty much no secret that I'm not a big fan of the genre (see my Tollbooth review of Selfmindead if you don't believe me), but every once in awhile, a hardcore band will put out an album that blows my little Georgian mind. So where does Vessel fit into this equation?
Somewhere in the middle, of course. Their debut eponymous album is certainly not the worst hardcore album I've ever heard (I'm not gonna mention any names here), but it's also not on the level of Blindside's latest album. Vocalist Andrew Labedz does that tortured screaming thing that's so popular in the scene, and while he's a pretty good screamer, that style of vocal doesn't do much for me. Guitarist Michael Fealko and bassist Steven Robertshaw are pretty good with their instruments-again, not the best in the business, but they'll have plenty of time to perfect their craft. I'll be interested to see how much Vessel has improved on their next album.
3 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Doug Van PeltMeaty, straight-ahead punk of the hardcore variety. Plenty of metal toughness is present - the kind of muscle-bound hardcore that is exemplified by bulging veins in the forehead and neck, and spit flying everywhere. Make sure you clear a wide empty space in your room before playing this album, cause you might break stuff.Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Nate BaileyFrom Ohio, Vessel has put out this nine song EP on new label, Burning Records. This release is a hard listen, with slow songs and a very, very bad recording. Playing a generic form of metalcore, Vessel just doesn't leave a good impression with this EP. To start with, the whole recording is very flat sounding with songs that are painfully slow in developing. The overall presentation makes it very…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by Hey YouBurning Records has got some brutal, tough hardcore here in Vessel. The first song starts slow with some cool drumming then blows up into a furiously paced onslaught with some ballistic double bass. The vocals remind me a lot of xdisciplex, very meaty and brutal. Periodically, low vocals enter in, as well as some cool high vocals. The music is devastating. Very heavy. However, the production…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerWhen Burning Records got started they put out a comp. CD called Ears to the Ground Vol. 1. This was a 19 track CD with 8 different bands. In my review the first band I mentioned as being a highlight was Vessel as they were the most outstanding band on the CD. I was anxious to hear what these guys could offer in the way of a full length presentation. Well that time has come and Burning Records has…
