Greetings all..

This month, a band called VAST has been chosen by our elder, Damien, for me to review..He made them known to me last month, and having never heard them before, I was glad for a new musical opportunity..VAST has a very fresh style that is not typical of what you hear on the radio, but rather, a unique combination of voice and music, being laid out in an artistic manner, which has an ability to take you out of yourself for awhile..The one main characteristic of their musical style, is the dreamy lassitude it tends to suggest..If I had to describe them, I would say they are like Trent Reznor meets Jim Morrison..Some songs, I would describe the style as being goth metal meets industrial, and in others, more along the lines of a classic rock flair..The lyrics are uncanny and quite often disturbing in some songs, but where this occurs, the music makes up for it with the qualities I explained as above..So in this instance, it's not unlike Jim Morrison, who also made use of shock lyrics..I won't be reviewing any album in particular, but rather a selection of songs, some from the same album, and others from their other albums..

The first song on my list, is one called "Here"..I REALLY like this song alot..It's punchy almost straight into it, and it's something you'd expect to hear in a major motion picture..Would make an excellent opener as well..It mixes it up with grinding guitars, drums, and special effects..I think a good many will find this song completely do - able..To me, this song, or rather the lyrics, suggest someone who is questioning reality..Almost, he is describing what sounds like intolerance, and is describing the pain and frustration of that. It would be hard to trust, or even to love again, under those circumstances..It can be difficult to feel like anyone is trustworthy, when so many judsge based on a lack of knowledge, and fear of the unknown..I think also, this song has elements of possible abuse from a young age, as well - some of the lyrics tend to point in that direction..On the whole, I think this song is largely about misunderstanding, on both sides of the coin..Here are some lyrics, just to give you an overall good feel of the song..

"Where do I put the shame?
It feels like a broken toy
I can't play with anymore

Where do I put the hate?
To a pixilated screen
I can't watch anymore

All I know is that I'm here
Drifting somewhere in the vast
Somewhere in eternity
And I never want to leave

Where do I put the books
There's so many I could read
But they all are filled with lies

Where do I put the lies
There's so many I could say
But it seems they're in the books"..

The next song starts out consistently punchy..The lyrics suggest rebellion to a point, or maybe it's more along the lines of choosing to shed a situations in which repression had been introduced to an extreme, and the need to simply break free, hence the name of the song, which is "Free"..The energy of this song is good overall..Very stimulating, and upbeat..good bass line..They probably play this one alot on the radio, or MTV..The kewl thing about this band is that they are not the same, predictable crap that many along these lines nowadays, seem to be..There is a totally different vibe, and a different, unique sound in each song..

"It's time to laugh, it's time to cry
It's time to be what you need to be
It won't be long 'till they are gone
And we can be what we want to be
I'm gonna run from everything
Everything that holds me down
Nothing to win, nothing to lose

You can't tell me what to do anymore
You can't tell me what to do anymore
Now I'm free, now I'm free, now I'm free"..

The next song, "Land Of Shame" starts out sounding like something out of a western, but then the tempo picks up a bit, especially at the end..This kinda, in a strange way, reminds me of something The Doors might have done..Even the singing reminds me ALOT of Jim Morrison..Uncanny, that..One thing I have noticed with VAST - The songs which I am musically not fond of, seem to more than make up for that lyrics - wise, and the songs that ARE appealing music - wise, have a lacking in their lyrics..Funny how that works!

"And we can thank the TV
We can thank the men of old
For this legacy of hate
Somehow they have sold

I'm wrapped up in the the warmth
Of an unforgiving game
I'm on vacation in the land of shame"..

Ok, moving onwards! The next song, "Last One Alive" - This one has a more industrial beat to it..Kind of Cure-esque..I like it..It has a familiar feel to it..You can dance to this one, and think of it as a feel - good song, musically..The lyrics, on the other hand, suggest something completely different..If I can explain what *I* am getting from this song - It sort of gives me the impression of being somewhere that other people are not able to, or will not follow, because they lack the understanding of being where you are..Sort of like being part of the herd, rather than being an individual - tTherefore, a good many would be unable to follow that path, because they decided to follow someone else's path..No individualism..It's difficult to put into words what I mean..Maybe you can get a better idea from the lyrics -

"You left me high and dry it changed me
You lied to me now I am angry
And if the sun comes in your room
And awakes you from your vanity
You won't find me "cause I'll be
On top a mountain pissing on your grave Na, na, na...

There's a place from where I just arrived
And I escaped the last one alive

Where are you
You're not with me
Where are you
I'm free"..

Ok, the next song, which is called "Somewhere Else To Be", while musically punchy again, has those words that suggest something other than what the tempo of the song conveys..Normally, you would expect a song with lyrics like these, to be more slow and deliberate, which would lend a somber air to the whole..Then you could experience the pain from the words in a more fitting way..But perhaps this is deliberate, and if that is the case, then maybe this band did it to convey anger rather than sadness..Or maybe it is conveying anger, and the sadness, quite naturally, goes without much notice, though you can feel it too, just when you least expect to feel it, and so, it becomes like a hard punch to the stomach, hitting you all at once..

"Every time that I cry out
No one ever comes to me
Every time that I reach out
No one ever rescues me
I wish I could hide from everyone

Is there somewhere else to be
Is there somewhere else to be"..

And the final song on the list here, is called "Flames"..I like this one.. it's calm and dreamy..very relaxing, musically..This is an accoustic number, but has keys and stringed instruments as well..Musically, it is the equivalent of a fully warmed up electric blanket, or a long hot bath, or even a cup of hot chocolate, with a peppermint stick, made for you by your love..This is one song that, the way it is orchestrated, is attempting to be full of love and romance..I know a good many men have difficulty in conveying feelings of love, but in my opinion, this song is walking down that road..

"Close your eyes
Let me touch you now
Let me give you something
That is real

Close the door
Leave your fears behind
Let me give you
What you're giving me

You are the only thing
That makes me want to live at all

When I am with you
There's no reason to pretend that
When I am with you
I feel flames again

Just put me inside you
I would never ever leave
Just put me inside you
I would never ever leave you"..

Well, I hope you all have enjoyed this review, as I enjoy writing them, and experiencing bands both new and old, classic and otherwise..It's good to broaden the musical horizons, and have new experiences..For those wishing to experience their music, you can click here or even here ..These are just two of their albums, but it will give you an idea of what they sound like, and allow you to choose whether or not you feel they are worth pursuing, musically..I think they are :o) And hats off to Damien for suggesting them to me..They are pretty different, but different is good, and I quite like them, and would definitely invest in their music..As with all amazon.com links, it requires the use of Realplayer, or Windows Media, both of which can be downloaded free of charge, so do that if you haven't already..

For those wishing to check them out, website - wise, I have a couple of decent ones for you - This one is pretty decent, with some good effects on, as well as audioclips which play when you go through the pages..Thanks to whoever runs this page for the temporary use of their graphics.. VAST http://www.xeternity.com/

Here is another site, which features audioclips you can listen to, if you download the plugin - http://vastfan.tripod.com/

Of course, there are many sites, and searching them out is all part of the fun! Do enjoy VAST, and I'll be here again, next month with a new band for you to sink your teeth into..Until then ~

Dark Blessings..

Silver


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