I was really into the last Vial record, a quick burst of peppy and pointed brat punk. The early singles off Hellhound lean way more grunge, so I was curious how the band had developed in the past couple of years. And while my very first impressions of "Infected" and "Scorpio Moon" had me thinking of L7 and Nirvana, by the end of the record it carries the same general vibe. The band has changed (who hasn't), but it's not a gigantic switcheroo. It's growth.
I just mentioned the first two songs, but it's really the third song on the record, "Creep Smoothie," that sets the tone for me. This is an angry, confrontational song -- a theme that carries through the full album. Hellhound is still full of peppy attitude and playful tones, but Vial has a lot of barbs in their hooks, if I'm using that boxing terminology at all correctly. They take no prisoners and they don't care what you think. And that's clear in every lyric, whether they are calling people out or complaining about a long, boring van ride. The record is a response to every subtle sexist comment Vial's members have had to suffer through, but it's not just a middle finger in response: it's a clever, artful expression that mixes rock 'n' roll cliches, symbolism and consistent metaphors through the full record. The Cerberus cover is as fitting as it gets. Similarly, the band wears their influences on their sleeve but without ever feeling like mimicry or homage. This whole thing is 100% authentic, baby.
Neither of the band's albums to date are concept records exactly, but each works in enough connective tissue for running themes.
