"Vestiges formed in January of 2010 as a two-piece band. Influenced by hardcore, black metal, crust, screamo, and post-rock, the band set out to incorporate elements of each genre to articulate their message both musically and lyrically. A third member was added to the band shortly before entering the studio to record The Descent Of Man. The band and a filmmaker are currently in the process of producing a film to visually capture the theme of The Descent Of Man.The Descent Of Man follows the creation, the evolution, and the eventual annihilation of mankind. Today, we find ourselves hoping to reverse the damage that we have done and struggling to sustain what little earth we have yet to rape repeatedly. We validate this existence with stories that justify our behavior and our role in the natural world. The promise of salvation in a land we have yet to see has clouded our judgment in a land that is right before our eyes. Industrialization, militarization, overpopulation, theism, specieism, and nihilism are regarded as evolution and progress. Our greed and ignorance have been celebrated and our past has been forgotten. We were meant to be a part of nature. We were not meant to conquer nature. We were given life and we have done everything in our power to bring death upon everything in our path, including ourselves. There will be horrifying consequences for what we have done."
I can't believe that I vaguely skimmed over this band when first listening to them. I picked up this album a few months ago (album was released in October) and thought nothing of it. I saw a buddy of my listening to it on last.fm and I said to myself, "You know what? I'm going to give it another spin." Now going back listening to it I'm hearing every thing that I've ever wanted in a band like this. They combine the emotional filled vocal style of Fall Of Efrafa and the instrumental work of Celeste to bring a unique blend and call it their own. It's bands like Vestiges that really define the "post-metal" genre and what it SHOULD be. Their influences of crust and hardcore is staggering with their harsh but very aggressive vocal patterns and ability to have you on edge at all times. Lyrical content displayed is something else. You can almost just FEEL the raw hatred for mankind and civilization and how we're just killing ourselves day in and day out when listening to Vestiges. The guitar work is sometimes light but can instantly progress into something that is loud, heavy, and just throws tons and tons of raw energy at you until you run out of breath at how captivating it really is. At times, this album almost made me feel as if they were a veteran in the black metal scene with their constant blast beats and superb tremelo picking. I just love the builds up from the passive sounding outro to the eerie feeling of the outro. There are a lot of atmospheric sludge bands out there that are a real snoozefest but Vestiges doesn't sugarcoat it and lays out their sound on a perfectly aligned grid. If it were still 2010 I would DEFINITELY deem this album in my top 10 album of 2010. Truly, a masterpiece that captivates not only the mind but the body and spirit as well. Be sure to visit their website to buy some merch and check out their bandcamp.
I listened to this a long time ago, loved it, preordered a tape, still haven't received it.
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