Vukovar – The Great
Immurement (Other Voices Records)
CD / DL
Out Now
Industrial
alternative Goth band unleash their latest album. Louder Than War’s Paul Scott-Bates reviews.
To say Vukovar are
back would be a grave error of judgement.
The never really seem to be away, releasing albums like shelling peas
they have just released their ninth album in seven years. Yet again, the phrase ‘their best album yet’
can be applied to The Great Immurement.
Where last album,
The Colossalist experimented with noise and field recordings to great effect,
the new album sees them develop that further and combine edge with
commercialism and yet more impressively written and performed tracks. They continue to plough a lonely furrow -
like nothing else out there – sounding like the next incarnation of Joy
Division. Perhaps.
Perhaps not. Maybe it’s a lazy comparison but there are
undoubtedly hints circulating. At times
it’s heavenly as The Solar Anus Pt 2 professes angelic styled background vocals
over one some stunning main vocal work and at times it’s hellish as The
Immortal Hour takes a dark turn. What is
remarkable about Vukovar is their ability to keep producing albums of such high
quality. The second in the Eternity Ends
Here triptych and acting memorial to Simon Morris who died in January 2020 at
the age of 51.
Morris would approve
there’s no doubt, as Ceramic Hobs three decade existence as DIY avant punk leaders
influenced many an act, the attitude and determination is shadowed by
Vukovar. Morris appears on Cement &
Cerement and another Hobs member, Jane Appleby adds vocals to album closer The
Great Immured And His Sea Of Love. The
band seem solid on The Great Immurement, less tension and collectively slicker
the tracks flow wonderfully from one to the other like a seamless tapestry of
optimistic gloom.
Spoken word evolves
the album into a mysterious commentary which draws in the listener, picking out
those subtle keyboard strokes twinkling in the background on your way to that impending
eternity.
Once more Vukovar
prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. Whether the masses discover them or not is probably
irrelevant. In the here and now, The
Great Immurement is an album borne out of turmoil, loss and obsession. Listen at your leisure, miss it at your
peril.
Published on Louder Than War 31/05/21 - here
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