Vigil – Primordial Rites (Neologistic Ripping Death Thrash)
Hot damn these sickos are from my state even? Christ talk about luck! I recently had a discussion with a one-man black metal band about the importance of artwork, and if he’s listening, or in this case reading, this is what I’m talking about. As soon as you get a glimpse of the grainy, devilish art with its excellent, three-tone color scheme and tons of fucking skulls, you recognize musical greatness is to be found. And in this case I don’t even care if another band carries the same name as from hereafter there can be only one Vigil! And it is Vigil (Richmond)! Parenthesis matter!
Primordial Rites is the band’s first full-length, and it could stand as their only release and still provide what could be considered a lasting legacy. A timeless one, even. Let’s consider the band’s own genre neologism, which is simply “ripping thrash.” Well, fuck, that works. Though Vigil (Richmond) possess a clear thrash direction that eludes to the old-school vibe other bands promote, with a heavy layer of death thrash, their core sound lies in a nasty drive that runs through the entirety of the tracks with an energy more akin to street punk. They bite and the bites leave bruises, in time becoming permanent scars as a reminder of why there can be only one Vigil, and it is Vigil (Richmond). A true existential tear up and down the soul and worthy of permanent repeat spins in thy automobile. Terrorize the neighbors, and their children, with Vigil (Richmond).
Written by Stanley, Devourer of Souls
Vigil – Primordial Rites
Shadow Kingdom Records
Cover Art: David Kukoľ (Lord Serus)
4.6 / 5
