Album Review: Vittra - Blasphemy Blues
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Swedes Vittra formed in 2017, comprise David Döragrip (vocals), Johan Murmester (guitar), Alex Smith (drums) and Gustav Svensson (bass) They released their debut EP ‘Wardens’ in 2021. Now the band prepare to drop debut album ‘Blasphemy Blues’, with Lars Elofsson adding lead guitar. The production is of high quality, with Simon Johansson (Soilwork, Wolf) and Mike Wead (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate) assisting whilst Lawrence Mackroy (Bloodbath, Lik, Firespawn) brings experience in the mastering and mixing processes.
Vittra play a savage form of melodic death metal; think early Arch Enemy, elements of Entombed, Dissection and In Flames with the technicality of Megadeth. ‘Blasphemy Blues’ is a short, sharp album with tracks coming hard and fast. Döragrip’s vocals are a blend of legends like LG Petrov Mikael Stanne and Tomas Lindberg and are well suited to the fast-paced tempo that the band deliver.
The album opens with the pacy ‘Colossal’, a fast, technical beast which contains some rippingly sharp riffs and ferocious elements. Some decent dual guitar harmonies add to the vibe. ‘Halls of the Ancients’ sees the first Megadeth comparisons, with some of the climbing structural parts like ‘Hanger 18’. It’s incorporated rather than directly stolen though. Nothing to fear from Mr Mustaine… yet! ‘Satmara’ follows with a delightful acoustic introduction and a hook that In Flames perfected many years ago. The pace intensifies but the melodic elements remain very much integral to the tracks.
Things remain at a frenetic tempo throughout this album with Vittra providing a consistent soundtrack which follows a similar theme. ‘Self-Loathing’ is a muscular track underpinned by pleasing melody, some sharp lead guitar work and variation in the death growls. It’s solid stuff.
And just as you think you’ve got the measure of Vittra, they throw in Sommarfördd, which has a different groove and female harmonies which changes the feel of the song completely. It’s unusual and brings a welcome change before the full throttle finale of bonus track ‘Undead’.
Vittra may not be bringing anything particularly new to the table, but with a short, sharp and energetic approach, ‘Blasphemy Blues’ is as invigorating as a morning dip in the great outdoors.
