Earlier at this time, British alt-metal act Vexed launched their sophomore album Detrimental Vitality. Stuffed to the gills with pent up rage and frustration over private and social traumas skilled over the previous few years, the report’s described by the band as a manner of “sharing our vulnerability, fears and weaknesses.” And once you do this by beating the shit out of your devices and punching again in any respect the bullshit, you sometimes get a reasonably pissed off sounding report.

Heavier than their debut report, Detrimental Vitality is 13 tracks of pure fury expressed by a band now extra in tune with their tone and general vitriol. Tackling the whole lot from coping with childhood traumas to coping with the sexist bullshit that comes with being a female-fronted band in a male dominated style, this new providing appears like an solution to get some sense of catharsis.

In an effort to offer listeners a deeper understanding into what went into Detrimental Vitality, we requested guitarist Jay Bacon to take a seat down and break down every observe. Fortunately, he’s offered some deeper perception not solely into the which means of every track, but in addition offers us a behind-the-scenes glimpse into what went into the writing and manufacturing of the album as properly.

However that’s sufficient from us. Right here’s Jay Bacon on Detrimental Vitality:

PTSD

The entire level of this observe is to set the tone for the remainder of the album. We deliberately saved it tremendous easy and stripped again, to assist keep a way of pressure and unease. The observe begins with a vocal pattern recorded by producer Meyrick De La Fuente, which particulars what occurs upon loss of life. This introduces the final theme of the complete album, regarding loss of life, grief and processing traumatic experiences. 

Anti Fetish 

That is certainly one of my favorites on the album, and one we spent lots of time experimenting with. We’d toyed with the thought of pitched whammy’s for a while, and this observe was the proper place to implement it. Lyrically, this observe describes the sensation of being consistently in comparison with different artists within the trade, particularly as a ‘feminine fronted’ band. We’ve had fixed comparisons to each different feminine fronted band within the trade, and we’re tremendous bored of them to say the least. I believe this was the proper first single to make use of, because it grabs your consideration whereas concurrently making a press release. 

We don’t speak about it 

This can be a tremendous enjoyable observe, each to play and hearken to. It’s tremendous bouncy but in addition one of many heaviest. The lyrical theme of this observe is about having to maintain quiet to maintain peace, and suppressing childhood traumas. 

X my <3 (hope to die)

Nobody is aware of what occurs after loss of life, and that’s precisely what this observe is about. There are such a lot of opinions that individuals attempt to drive on others, after we’re all simply as at midnight as one another. A standout second on this observe for me personally is the verse, because it offers the rhythm part a very good area to actually lock in. It additionally includes a actually attention-grabbing construct up in the direction of the top, that we had lots of enjoyable experimenting with.

Panic assault 

This observe is fairly self explanatory. Instrumentally, we tried to recreate the feeling of a panic assault, with quick paced rhythms ultimately progressing to an excellent open and breathable refrain. I do know our drummer Willem doesn’t have essentially the most enjoyable taking part in this one, nonetheless, the guitar is tremendous enjoyable. It’s one of many easiest however best tracks on the entire album for my part.

Lay down your flowers

This is likely one of the first tracks we wrote for Detrimental Vitality, and certainly one of my favourite riffs. It’s virtually uncomfortable sounding, which I believe is what offers it such character. Lyrically, it’s about individuals who stay for consideration and validation, and consistently victimize themselves with out purpose. We had been fortunate to have Lochie Keogh of Alpha Wolf that includes on this observe, and as large Alpha Wolf followers ourselves, it actually ranges the track up for us. A standout second on this observe is its breakdown part, which I believe could also be one of the best breakdown we’ve ever achieved. 

There’s no place like house 

This can be a observe the place our Thy Artwork is Homicide influences might shine by. This observe was tremendous enjoyable to put in writing and got here collectively very organically. It didn’t want a lot work upon the primary drafts. The observe includes a reference to the Wizard of Oz, and we needed to recreate the well-known ‘there’s no place like house’ line ourselves, which was tremendous humorous. The tracks in regards to the monetary issues that come up upon the loss of life of the beloved one, and the way folks present their true colors.

Extremist 

Once more, lyrically, this one’s tremendous apparent to decipher. The observe explores the theme of extremists, who consistently attempt to drive their views on others. The observe is excessive by identify and nature, and is likely one of the harshest tracks we’ve ever written. It’s deliberately in your face and uneasy on the ear. A standout second of this observe is the ending breakdown, which is pure and unfiltered filth. I believe musically, this observe works completely with the lyrical theme.

Default

This track talks in regards to the depressive state that we discover ourselves in after we’re not touring. It’s in all probability essentially the most nihilistic observe on the album, and is an correct reflection of your inside voice when issues are bleak and hopeless. The bridge on this track is a standout second for me, it’s tremendous trippy vocally and completely units up the drip into the chuggy refrain.

Trauma Euphoria 

This observe was the proper alternative because the third single, because it’s fully totally different to the remainder of the album. The extra ‘industrial’ sound of its refrain is tremendous catchy, however it sustains the excessive power of the remainder of the album. We needed to place out one thing folks may truly sing alongside to, and our principal goal was to put in writing one thing that’d get caught within the listeners head. Scripting this track was tremendous straightforward and pure, and I believe its simplicity is what makes it so efficient. Lyrically, it’s in regards to the contradictory feeling of sudden euphoria following a traumatic occasion, and the sensation of mania that comes with it. This observe options the one guitar solo on the album, and it took lots of writing periods to excellent. 

It’s not the top 

Doubtlessly probably the most important tracks on the album, it’s not the top describes the ache of loss and grief. It’s an especially private observe, however one we hope many can relate to. There are such a lot of parts on the observe that come collectively to offer it its distinctive and sophisticated sound, and it’s one particularly which we’re all very happy with. It was actually refreshing to me as a guitar participant, to have the ability to write some very nice clear sections and have a brief break from heavy chugging. The track slowly climaxes to a last, emotional drop, which is an efficient time for a cry. A spotlight of this observe for me personally is the ultimate scream, and the next clear guitar outro. I believe the final minute particularly actually captures the temper of the observe, and provides area for the listener to mirror and course of how they really feel.

DMT

We use this observe as a bridge between ‘its not the top’ and the next observe, ‘nepotism.’ It’s the proper ‘breathe area’. I like to consider this observe as an extension to ‘it’s not the top’, because it carries over the identical theme and emotion. The observe options voice recordings of our vocalist Megs late grandfather, Anthony Targett, who ‘it’s not the top’ is devoted to. The observe actually drives the message house, and provides additional weight to the emotion. 

Nepotism 

Nepotism is one thing very actual and quite common inside the music trade, though many flip a blind eye and refuse to imagine this. Until you expertise it first hand, you don’t have a horse within the race. This observe is one other favourite of mine, because it’s simply groovy riffs from begin to end. I believe it’s necessary to finish the album with a bang, and that’s why the position of this observe on the album is so efficient. I additionally imagine that given the emotional themes of the earlier two tracks, this one helps carry folks again as much as a extra energized state. The drawn out, pitch shifted breakdown which ends the track/album, is an ideal last blow for the listener. I’m glad we milked it and pale it out as steadily as we did.