Debut album, “Primordial Rites”, out on October 30th!
Hailing from Richmond, Vigil are one of the burning-brightest stars of the modern thrash metal underground. So complete and total is their sound, so authentic and throttling in such a manner as to wonder what year it actually is, Shadow Kingdom simply HAD to sign the band for their first full-length. With a demo and single the first few years of their existence as well as a formidable live presence, the quintet are now prepared to deliver that debut album: Primordial Rites.
Righteously ripping and heavy as fuck, Primordial Rites is about as EXPLOSIVE of an entrance as a band could make. Across its nine-song / 40-minute runtime, Vigil deliver a masterclass in thrash songwriting. Running from full-throttle thrashing-like-a-maniac to more-measured mid-tempos and all-out mosh moments, Primordial Rites always remains memorable: momentum is forward / forward / FORWARD, and you either simply submit to Vigil’s assault or get fucking flattened; there’s no dicking around with “progressive” elements or technical wankery. Along the way, tasteful solos dot the crunching landscape, but it’s perhaps the vocals of Jessica that crown this jewel of thrash majesty. “Commanding” doesn’t fully convey her power, but let’s just say that she doesn’t take any prisoners!
Like any great modern thrash record, there’s nods to foundational bands – whether it’s more known ones like early Exodus, Whiplash, or Canada’s Sacrifice to culter ones like Blood Feast, Hallows Eve, or Znowhite – but what puts Primordial Rites over is both the band’s songwriting and especially their charisma. True star power here…herald the arrival of Vigil!
