REVIEW: VANADIUM - A Race with the Devil

 

VANADIUM - A Race with the Devil

Durium Records

Return to the Glories of the 80s, and we'll venture to a country not typically associated with the heavy metal sound of that era. I'm talking about Italy, which had a respectable scene during that decade, although not as prominently featured. Today, let's focus on the Italian band Vanadium and their second studio album, "A Race with the Devil."

Generally, I've noticed that if you mix the devil and metal, it's hard to go wrong with the result. However, in essence, this album by Vanadium manages to fuse the 70s hard rock/heavy metal forms with those of the 80s. And they do so in an absolutely creative and inspired manner. They incorporate influences from Deep Purple and Uriah Heep, especially in the keyboards, with those of Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, making them their own.

This album is imbued with a strong NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) sentiment, characterized by its passionate and inspired compositions. It's impossible not to remember songs like "I Gotta Clash with You," "A Race with the Devil," "Running Wild," "Fire Trails" (dedicated to Bon Scott, and naturally, it has its references to AC/DC), "Outside of Society," and "Russian Roulette" (which reminds one of Accept in name, but is very much Iron Maiden and Rainbow).

Vanadium, named after the chemical element, mirrors the qualities of the metal itself—strong, versatile, and withstanding the test of time. Their name represents durability and the ability to withstand pressure, much like their music that has influenced and inspired many.

Nick Parastatidis