Vulgaris

Forming in 2017, Vulgaris have been blazing a trail through the London underground metal scene with their fierce fusion of black, sludge, thrash and other extreme metal styles. Following their debut album, 2021's Asundre, they have now unleashed sophomore record Seat Of The Fire unto the world, which dropped on 24 May 2024 in partnership with WormHoleDeath Records.

Since finalizing their current 4-person line-up in 2019, the band have been refining their sound while sharing stages with the likes of Conjurer, Beyond Grace, and London circuit heavyweights such as Allfather, Tableau Mort and Imperium.

Their 2023, during which they recorded their upcoming second album, culminated in an appearing in the Metal 2 The Masses London Grand Final. After this achievement, Vulgaris are primed to ascend to the next level in 2024.

The band draws upon an array of musical influences, including but by no means restricted to the likes of Enslaved, Gojira, Regarde Les Hommes Tomber, Sylosis, Conjurer and Dragged Into Sunlight.

Line-up:
George Mitchell - drums
Jess O'Toole - guitars
Jon Michael - guitars, vocals
Matt Cooper - bass, vocals

As much as I enjoyed the band’s debut, Seat Of The Fire is playing in a different league. Vulgaris continue to demonstrate that they can throw in everything but the kitchen sink and still make it work, but they have also sat down and crafted some admirably fleshed out tracks. The band has such a vast array of influences and at the same time such an individual sound, that it's highly recommended for every extreme metal fan.

Metal Storm

Seat of the Fire takes everything good about their debut, cuts away what didn’t quite work, and presents us with a renewed, refined and even more focussed (not to mention impressively ferocious) version of the band who are well on their way to being the UK’s own version of Skeletonwitch or Black Anvil.

No Clean Singing

The first words that come to mind as Seat of the Fire gets started is ‘atmospheric melodic discomfort’ because this what the short introduction of Lyomenos and the opening of Black Gold Baptism delivers. Let it build though, as step by step, Vulgaris introduce more and more dark elements. Taking their time, it gets more and more intense, until it fully transforms into a blackened blast of manic wickedness. Vulgaris are sounding distinctly unhinged.

GAMES, BRRRAAAINS & A HEAD-BANGING LIFE

While one always runs a risk of alienating the fans of component genres when creating something that pulls from various aspects of established sounds, Vulgaris have succeeded inordinately well at creating a piece of work that holds up to scrutiny from multiple angles. Asundre is harsh, and elegant, and high-octane, and somber, and frenetic, and, above all, consistently interesting. It is an album that simply works.

Sleeping Village