Thrash to the Future
When it comes to contemporary Thrash Metal, few can match Vulture’s sound, image, and intensity. On May 21, 2021 the German 5-piece are set to release Dealin’ Death [review] to the masses. I caught up with ax slinger S. Castevet to find out all about it.
Metal Express Radio: If I knew absolutely nothing about Vulture, how would you describe the band’s music to me?
S. Castevet: Fast. Heavy. Deadly. Like a mixture of Priest and Slayer, Accept and Exodus, Metallica and Dark Angel. Fast riffing, half tone shifts, crude vocals, high pitched screams, many solos, but also a lot of drama and melodies.
MER: Was your upcoming album Dealin’ Death born out of the lockdowns or was it delayed because of them?
SC: Neither/nor! We were lucky to have finished every creative aspect before everything started to boil up. [We] had big luck being able to hit the studio during the first lighter measures in Germany.
MER: Dealin’ Death is set to be released on May 21, 2021 through Metal Blade Records. Can you tell us the inspiration behind each song…
“Danger is Imminent” – It’s an instrumental intro. Acoustic guitars, dangerous synths, Vulture-Stuff.
“Malicious Souls” – A first fast song. Typically Vulture. Maybe a little more to the point than we’ve been before here and there. I love the solo part that ends in a great Death Metal-like melody. Lyrically it’s describing being devoured by a shapeless mass, being drafted for Heavy Metal duties.
“Count Your Blessings” – A new abbott’s in town, and soon people start to notice somethings wrong about him. Once you’ve entered the confessional there’s no way back. Another fast and thrash-y song. With a simple and effective refrain.
“Gorgon” – The lyrical theme’s quite obvious. The song itself is super Heavy Metal. Huge drums, huge riffs, triplets, tons of melodies and depths. Maybe my favorite.
“Star-Crossed City” – Heavy Metal again. Maybe a lil’ Show No Mercy [Slayer] vibe energy-wise. Lyrically it’s speaking about the last days of a doomed town. Again a lots of depth when it comes to songwriting and dimensions.
“Flee the Phantom” – The first one we wrote for the record. It’s about an old black & white series called Belphegor – Phantom of The Louvre. We picked a scenario in which one is trapped in the Louvre at night, slowly realizing you’re not alone. Instincts kicking in. Fatal. Loads of riffs. Love the middle part.
“Below the Mausoleum” – It’s kinda the continuation of Ghastly Waves cover artwork. The killer is entering the Mausoleum and is finding himself in a Lovecraft-y scenario.
“Dealin’ Death” – The title track inspired by the great movie The Pit and the Pendulum from ’61. Based on the story of Poe. The track is telling about a tour through a torture chamber. The final destination is a giant pendulum.
“Multitudes of Terror” – A quick, thrash-y view into the mind of a person suffering from schizophrenia.
“The Court of Caligula” – Rather untypical for Vulture. Slow and very heavy. The song deals with the last days of Caligula’s reign. Inspired by the over-the-top movie, obviously.
MER: Dealin’ Death is being released on multiple formats, including vinyl. Are you a fan of vinyl? If so, what are some of your favorite classic vinyl?
SC: Yeah, of course. My favorite vinyls might be my Slayer live and demo bootlegs. I love the Hell Awaits demos. Very raw energy. Slayer live in about ’85 to ’87 must have been the hottest shit ever. Too young.
MER: How did your deal with Metal Blade Records come about?
SC: No big story behind that. We got a mail by them asking us to join the roster. We said yes.
MER: Every Vulture album features a sharp cutting instrument of some type. Does this represent something specific for the band?
SC: Our covers are as sharp as our riffs.
MER: It appears that Vulture is starting to book a couple of festivals as the World starts to open back up again. Have the festival organizers explained how the live performances and crowd interactions are going to work?
SC: No, we have no idea at all. Let’s wait. I don’t see anything happening anytime time soon.
MER: Vulture is clearly a band that enjoys putting on a great Heavy Metal show. What were some of your favorite performances?
SC: I loved every time we visited Eastern European countries like Poland and the Czech Republic. Loved the Live Evil Festival in London.
MER: What would you classify as your worst show?
SC: Probably Metal Assault Festival. That was one of our first bigger shows. I spent the whole week prior with the gastric flu, and played with a high fever and no joy at all. We even fucked up a song. Cringe-y.
MER: Is Vulture named after the Spider-Man villain or the ravenous bird? Why?
SC: The ravenous bird. Because it sounds cool.
Vulture is:
L. Steeler – Vocals
S. Castevet – Guitar
M. Outlaw – Guitar
A. Axetinctor – Bass
G. Deceiver – Drums
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