I reviewed Minnesota’s doom death band Red Vinter’s, last several releases, and now they have returned with their second full-length album, Ghost in the Fog. James Achilles on Drums, Mike Bullock -Vocals, Bass, Dylan Jones – Guitars (lead), and they welcome Erik Chrissis into the fold on Guitars. What was established on their EP’s and last year’s debut album Lumbering Menace is more fleshed out on the new one. The doom death plod, incorporating elements of Winter and industrial death such as Skin Chamber and Industrial gods Godflesh, is ever present herein.
9 songs in 45 minutes, “Alt/Space” gets things started with an atmospheric buildup, with voices in the background, and the intro works well until “Cryptic Site” starts. Beginning with a crushing groove, Mike’s spoken-word-type raspy vocals are accompanied well by his bludgeoning distorted bass. The excellent main guitar riff and bass hitting at the 2.30 mark will bring you back to Pure era Godflesh with the heavy, hoppy, thumping sounds. The thumping continues, and that catchy riff is most excellent.
“Swamp Flesh” is exactly how I am feeling today. It’s over 90 degrees, and I need to get into the pool. Vocals are piped in higher, excellent, doomy, growly, and menacing vocals. This song actually is pit-worthy with the pounding groove and catchy pinch harmonics. Vocals are enunciated terrifically, and lyrics are understandable. If you’re gonna spend time writing lyrics, you might as well make them audible so we all can test your genius level. Like a lumbering sloth, this song has heaviness all over it. When the main part hits and repeats, such as the 3.44 mark, you cannot help but headbang in unison to the beat. Crafty bastids!
“The Cell Inside” starts softly, and if you ain’t holding up your lighter like it’s 1985, then get the hell outta here. The music hits at the minute mark and is more of a somber, melancholic tone. Depressive, emotive, and you can feel the pain when words/phrases like ‘Worthless, Voices Crying, Never Forgive ‘ are spewed out by Mike. It adds more weight with the lyrics enunciated so well. There are some slow guitar harmonies around the 4.10 mark that have me feeling Iron Maiden. A short time later, the isolated bludgeoning bass guitar rumbles by itself until the music comes back and hits ever so heavily. This is one of the best moments Red Vinter has ever created.
The title track opens with that dirty ass, distorted bass guitar. Drums enter into the picture next. Guitars slowly build up, and the music morphs into a lumbering, crawling speed that is pure Winter worship. Toss in more of that Godflesh Pure sound, more during the depressive moments. The song is not drawn out to 10 frickin’ minutes and is around the five-minute mark, perfect length. Catchy vocal patterns to coincide with the guitar melodies, and the song picks up to a monstrous groove that hits at the 3.13 part. This plodding groove has a bludgeoning beat that calls for beatdowns. Luckily, this part again repeats towards the end. Terrific way to end the album, as well.
If Ghost in the Fog were a drink, it would go down smoooove, like a stick of butter. But due to it being so heavy, depressive, and abrasive, at times, it would be a sonofabitch coming outta you. Tear your insides right out! Ghost in the Fog is the best release from Red Vinter. Catchy, memorable, heavy, and well played. The band is coming into its own and is playing some live shows to boot. Maybe they can try to book MDF for next year. Get this album now!
