Vandallus - Short Fuse and a lot of Groove by Mark Kadzielawa

 

Vandallus are a hard rock/heavy metal band from Ohio.  They have just released their fourth album titled 4.  The album displays an excellent songwriting ability from the group, and a great execution of the material.  The songs are very catchy, melodic, and musical.  Vandallus are not afraid to take risks and left turns as long as they benefit the songs.  

4 is a beautifully crafted record.  The album has everything to make Vandallus a force to be reckoned with.  As far as the classic hard rock sound is concerned, Vandallus knows how to effectively bring out the purity and class of the music.  While their following is respectable, they still might be considered heavy metal's best kept secret.

Vocalist/guitarist, CrazyV (Jason Vanek) and guitar player, Vanik (Paul Vanek) talk all about Vandallus.  Both members, who are also brothers in real life, describe their musical drive, the songwriting, and how a band like Vandallus is able to function.  The group is completed by Jesse Stown on drums and Tim Frederick on bass.

You just released your 4^th album.  How would you say the band was developing and changing throughout the four albums?

CrazyV:  By now we have found our niche, it comes very naturally at this point.  The four of us have been playing together for a very long time and we always have a killer time when we get together.  Not to mention, our studio is now pretty much a meeting and party center for local bands, haha

Vanik:  I think by now we have created an ecosystem for Vandallus. I believe this record tells our listeners that we can maintain our integrity with the sound they are familiar with, however, with the amount of talent and knowledge around the band and Mercinary Studios there is no boundary with this band musically.

As you were getting ready to record this new record, what things did you want to accomplish with it?

CrazyV:  Prior to this recording we acquired a 56 channel Amek Neve mixing console here at our studio in Avon, OH.  This was a big inspiration of mine.  Just like any Vandallus albums, we try not to overthink it.  I set out to accomplish a natural sounding album the way this music used to be, and the way I love to hear it in my head.  It just works for us.

What kind of a feedback are you getting now that the album is out?

CrazyV:  Overall fans seem to really enjoy this one.  I’ve received great feedback thus far.  Someone mentioned it’s not as “Metal” as the previous album, however Vandallus was never meant to be “Metal” in my book.  It’s just raw old-school Hard Rock without all the polished over-hyped fluff.  We don’t try to be anything in particular; we just do what we love and let the music breathe. 

What are the biggest challenges when it comes to getting your music out and heard by a wider audience?

CrazyV:  The biggest challenge for me is dealing with physical media.  This is the first release that I’ve ever had roadblocks when trying to ship vinyl’s, CD’s, and merchandise to other countries/distributors.  All the BS pandemic policies have made it almost impossible to ship international anymore.  I still have boxes sitting in customs that have been there for over four months.  I’d say the future certainly doesn’t look good for these distribution means.

Are you able to do any touring when you release a record or are those only local shows?  Is there anything being planned to promote 4 to wider audiences?

CrazyV:  We haven’t done any touring yet this year, however we have plans to start soon.  We’re working on a private release show here at our studio to kick things off with plans to possibly make a live DVD.  I refuse to play at places that mandate excessive rules which take away from the energy of the performance especially.

I’ve noticed that members of Vandallus are involved in several other bands/projects.  How are you able to fit all of it into your schedule?  Also, when it comes to the priorities, where does Vandallus fit?

CrazyV:  We all have plenty of other bands/projects that we’re involved in, and I certainly don’t run out of things to do between all my powersports and various activities.  Yes, it makes it difficult at times, but luckily, we have the luxury of our own studio which is a “central” meeting ground for all our bands.  We’re able to schedule projects between us all easily.  We help each other out and get together for jam sessions regularly.  For me, the music of “Vandallus” is in my blood and is always a top priority of mine.  I write songs every week and have a few more albums worth of tunes already to go.

Vanik:  For me, my full-time gig at the moment is my involvement with the band Midnight. Next in line for me is Vandallus and VANIK. All are different in their own way. I honestly prefer having separate bands with different sounds and they all bring something to the table that the other project doesn’t. With Midnight, it’s a very fast, rock n roll band that’s meant for the adrenaline junkies. VANIK is for all the heavy metal horror freak who love old school horror movies, comedy, and thrash metal. Vandallus is a band that is reminiscent to the sound of rock music when it was at its height in our world cultural. Back when music was something people wanted more than anything. It was an escape from the real world. People were watching these shows in stadiums. This is the idea of Vandallus. To keep the sound true to that time while keeping the attitude intact.

Tell me about the Cleveland scene.  It seems like it has a lot of great bands, and a great network.

CrazyV:  This is indeed correct!  We have a great network and always have a pool of musicians ready to help each other out at any given time.  I listen to a lot of bands from Cleveland as I’m sure my brother can vouch for as well.

Vanik:  Destructor, Breaker, Shok Paris, Manimals, Black Death, and all the Auburn Records stuff.  Bill Peters released a lot of classic local albums back in the eighties and he still plays newer bands on his 88.7 WJCU radio show.

You have an incredible sense of melody musically and vocally.  What are your immediate influences?  Have they changed over the years?

CrazyV:  I’m honored, cheers! My influences are constantly changing, I have songs in my wild head all hours of the day, but my roots always seem to stay intact.  I like organic recordings, lots of melody, music that takes me places, and has plenty of room to breathe, especially when I’m out on a long motorcycle stroll or snowmobiling in the mountains.  When I’m working in the garage or at the fab shop I want to listen to Mercyful Fate or Overkill, but Rush, Foreigner, and Bad Company always tends to sail high on my influence list.  April Wine, MSG, Robert Plant, Axe, Australian Crawl, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cars, Great White, GTR, Icehouse, Saga, The Outfield, Fastway, Yes, Dokken, Kansas, Leatherwolf and even some Heart and Roxette at times, I could go on for hours… haha

What kind of philosophy do you subscribe to in Vandallus, or simply what makes you tick?

CrazyV:  Our philosophy is quite simple: we don’t try to be something we’re not.  We don’t try to fit into any particular category or genre.  We play old-school rockNroll that comes from the heart.  It’s about having a good time and bringing back the vibes of the classic era we love and feeling those SSL comps in your soul haha.

Where do you hope to take Vandallus in the next couple of years?

CrazyV:  Many more albums and far away from here...  Haha, this music comes with ease to me, so I’ll just keep on writing about my experiences and doing what I love!  It’s my escape!

Being in a band with your brother can be sometimes tricky.  How does that work for Vandallus?

CrazyV:  Fortunately, we have very similar musical backgrounds and have been playing together for a very long time.  Even though we have two completely different lifestyles; when we unite for music we always tend to click and work very well together.  It’s always nice having someone setup up my shit for me and making my coffee, lol

Vanik:  The hardest part about any band is its members. Having to track everyone down to practice, play a gig, making sure their heart is in the same place or their attitude for that matter. Having a brother sometimes makes it easier. Easier to track down. Some of my favorite bands had brothers in it which is pretty kick ass.

With record sales being very uneven, and no guarantee for a better tomorrow career wise, what motivates you to keep going?

CrazyV:  Something about tracking and mixing with a real analog console, it’s almost like a drug addiction for me.  Honestly, my love for seventies and eighties music and keeping this alive by passing it down to the upcoming generations is a strong driving force, not to mention, most of the new music I hear sounds like a cassette dipped in spaghetti sauce…

Provide some information as how potential fans can get hold of your recordings.

CrazyV:  The easiest and most up to date is always via our website at www.vandallus.com.  Digital is available on all platforms, and we will certainly do our best to ship out physical goods globally as efficiently and quickly as possible (even though international shipping is a mess now).  We will begin playing live shows very soon once I don’t have to comply with all these stupid mandates and rules so that we can provide you the quality show Vandallus is all about.

Mark Kadzielawa

Men Without Hats – Again (Part1) (SNVY78)

 

Men Without Hats are responsible for a tremendous comeback album, Love In The Age of War, in 2012.  It was a beautifully crafted album that can rival just about anything else they did in the past.  You were probably expecting to hear they were responsible for the timeless, Safety Dance, single back in 1982, and yes they did that too.  Now that we are historically balanced, we can proceed to now.

Again (Part 1) is 5-track mini album of covers.  The album opens up with Lou Reed’s Satellite of Love, and then followed by All The Young Dudes from Mott The Hoople, which in fact was written by David Bowie himself.  Both are great covers with solid arrangements and great delivery.  The two tracks somewhat predictable as both artists were big sources of influence for acts like Men Without Hats.  Men Without Hats add their flavor to both songs adopting them as their own.

The next track is where things explode and go from great to amazing.  Tragically Hip’s Blow At High Dough gets an absolute facelift, and goes from this laid back tale to a first grade rocker with a punchy beat.  Men Without Hats sped up the tempo of the song, and focused on the melody line, bring it up to the front.  It’s hard not to love the great arrangement and the outstanding delivery.

Similar treatment is given to The Rolling Stones’ 2,000 Light Years From Home.  Once again the band is playing with the tempo, making this song incredibly catchy and danceable.  This track is now a monster!  Mick and Keith will be scratching their heads with amusement upon hearing this for sure.

The final song is called No Friends Of Mine, and it’s a dramatic reflection of that famous track mentioned in the first paragraph.  It starts sounding as if Don MacLean himself was covering it, but then it develops into something completely different.  There is an element of sadness attached to what normally is known as a very happy song.  Could this be looking back at the passing time?  It definitely makes you stop in your tracks and think, and perhaps appreciate that we’re still here and can enjoy the gift of music.

Again (Part1) proves that Men Without Hats are still in great shape, and nothing can stop them.  Ivan’s vocals are as strong as they had ever been.  The man is simply getting better with age, and his articulation is superb.  This could only indicate that we will be soon receiving part two of this set, or perhaps an album of originals.  Both would be welcomed.

Mark Kadzielawa

Vandallus - 4 (Mercinary Records)

 

Vandallus is a heavy metal band from Cleveland.  Their music celebrates the traditional sense of metal, and this is their fourth album.  “4” is a very grown and mature effort.  Vandallus clearly love what they do; they don’t compromise, and continue to record great albums.

“4” is a collection of nine very well written tracks.  The songs are catchy and melodic with plenty of harmonies, and great vocals from Crazy V.  Crazy V is also responsible for the majority of this material.  The man clearly has a great understanding of music, and how it should sound.  The album revokes the great spirit of traditional heavy metal.  It feels like these guys just took a time machine from 1982, got off in 2021, and made a great record.  There isn’t a big production behind this record.  It sounds great.  The band was able to achieve something very magical here.

There are plenty of great tracks here.  “Parasite” for one really stands out as does “Brainwashed.”  The coolest thing about this release is that it feels like an album.  It’s great to listen to all the way through.  It’s not overly long, just perfect.  But don’t be surprised when you find yourself playing it over and over again.

From listening to the songs one thing becomes very obvious.  The high level of musicianship that is present here.  The sense of melody and harmonies are superb.  They even managed to utilize piano and keys in few tracks, and it sounds truly awesome.  Great guitar work in the rhythm and lead department, and a very tight rhythm section.  At the end of the day it’s all about the songs, and what can be done to make sure they sounds as good as they can.  Vandallus knows this well, and it appears to be their main focus.

“4” is a great heavy metal record.  Vandallus is definitely a band that deserves to be heard by a larger audience.  This album only confirms they are a force to be reckoned with.  Could they be metal's best kept secret?  

Mark Kadzielawa