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Self-describing as “slightly unpleasant, but novel.” Bristolian nutters Mother Vulture are often mentioned in the same breath as Queens of the Stone Age. But in all honesty, QotSA have not been this urgent since Nick Oliveri walked away some 20+ years ago. Mother Vulture are not the next QotSA, or whatever act that they get compared to. They are the first Mother Vulture. But if you really insist on a comparison for comparison’s sake, then perhaps Faith No More might be a better place to start.
Not merely for musical reasons – as MV shares that same sense of being musical chameleons that Faith No More did – but also for that air of unpredictability and at times, danger, that made Patton’s crew stick out from the bunch in the late 80’s, early 90’s. Attend a Mother Vulture gig, and you need to pay attention, as you might just catch a flying boot from one of the guys who seem unable to stand still and remain on the stage.
Latest album, ‘Cartoon Violence’, takes everything that Mother Vulture have done before, chucks it in a blender, presses the start button, and then takes the lid off.
Opener ‘Mike Check’ begins with the sound of a radio dial changing between stations, and then MV vocalist Georgi Valentine unleashes an elongated, blood-curdling scream to raise the neck hairs. A great surprise, especially for anyone listening to it for the first time, late at night, through a half-decent pair of cans. The surprises continue as the quartet constantly changes direction and tactics throughout a blistering three minutes, which are chock-full of hooks gacked to the nines… those screams, though, are insane—belting guitar solo from MV facemelter-in-chief Brodie Maguire.
No faffing around as it’s straight into the industrial tinged intro of ‘Sufferin – Succotash!’, and here, the cartoon violence kicks in with suuuuch infectious Freddie Mercury-like vocal melodies, and some schizoid changes of pace, including a full-on, heavy as an anvil dropping on Daffy Duck’s head breakdown. Over in 154 seconds, it certainly is not hanging around. Neither is ‘Treadmill’, which perfectly encapsulates what the Mother Vulture dna consists of, and at the same time highlights the lunacy in trying to pigeonhole the band. Thrash? Metalcore? Name your preference because whatever you come up with is only half the story.
It’s not just short, sharp, shock with Mother Vulture, as they also know how to “do” epic, as proven on the seven-minute masterpiece, ‘The Masquerade’. Easily Mother Vulture at their most expansive, it’s a track that feels like multiple suites, with part two (from 59 seconds in) being a Zeppelin-meets-early-Queen-meets-Placebo mash-up. The layered vocal harmonies are especially lush. And then part three kicks in with a furious midsection. Things slow down on four minutes for a dreamy interlude of sorts, before all hell breaks loose. If anyone was going to mention a Muse influence, then it would be on this one. The best thing that Mother Vulture have cooked up? Yeah, having that. Although the instrumental ‘La Matadora’ does run it a close second. Both have got to be in the setlist for the current tour, surely they have to be. The latter, especially to give Valentine some well-earned rest.
‘Double Down’ is another highlight and one that showcases the guitar work from Maguire. On fine form throughout the album, here, Maguire is especially allowed time to breathe, and the impression is that he could play the solo six nights in a row and come up with six different interpretations. ‘Bedbugs’ sees the band toning down the insanity and unpredictability a notch or two, and the result is one of the band’s catchiest numbers. Albeit one with heaps of bite.
Some of the most irresistible music made by a British act in a long time. So much going on that at times it makes your head spin. The level of growth within the band (completed by bassist Chris Simpson and Matt West on drums) is staggering, and there must be an Academy-sized act out there willing to take a chance on a support act who will light a fire under them and give them a run for their money.
Review – Dave
All images – Rob Wilkins
Mother Vulture On Tour In 2026:
Thu 12th Feb 2026 – SOUTHAMPTON The Joiners
Sat 14th Feb 2026 – BOURNEMOUTH Bear Cave
Fri 20th Feb 2026 – GLASGOW Audio
Sat 21st Feb 2026 – SHEFFIELD Corporation
Thur 26th Feb 2026 – EDINBURGH Bannermans
Fri 27th Feb 2026 – MANCHESTER Satan’s Hollow
Sat 28th Feb 2026 – NOTTINGHAM Rough Trade
Thu 5th Mar 2026 – CHELTENHAM Frog and Fiddle
Fri 6th Mar 2026 – ALTON The Lounge Bar
Sat 7th Mar 2026 – LONDON Rough Trade East
More information, HERE.
Bandcamp, HERE.
