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One of the UK’s most exciting new talents – the alt-metal outfit VEXED – will release their hotly-anticipated new record Negative Energy on 23rd June via Napalm Records.
Crushing new single ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’ is the second harbinger of Negative Energy; watch the haunting music video above.
Stream ‘X My Heart (Hope To Die)’ here: https://lnk.to/VEXED-NegativeEnergy
Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/VEXED-NegativeEnergy/napalmrecords
‘X my <3 (Hope to die)’ deals with the eternal question of what happens after death, and the idea that it should be okay to never get this answer. Vocalist Megan Targett’s vicious growls kick right in after the lurking intro, and together with heavy drum patterns and electronic-sounding guitars, her multifaceted vocals create a captivating, restless soundscape.
The band comment: “”‘X my <3 (hope to die)’ was the catalyst for Negative Energy. After months of writers block and feeling like giving up, this song opened the floodgates for inspiration and creativity. Inspired by the victims of religious extremists, cults or abuse of power, this song is about how one person shouldn’t be able to dictate other people’s lives based on their own personal opinions.”
This follows previous single ‘Anti-Fetish’, watch the video here: https://youtu.be/BrVx05brvIk
Negative Energy is the pinnacle of VEXED’s musicianship, with gripping, profound and brave lyricism. Instead of opting for the forced positivity many of their contemporaries demonstrate, the Hertfordshire trio channel every ounce of their Negative Energy into these 13 tracks – recharging themselves for an uphill battle.
The band comment: “We are so proud to present to you our second album. Since our first release, we have each endured traumatic experiences, surrounded by death, betrayal, pain and grief. In order to find any strength, we first had to accept that we weren’t okay, then take our trauma and face it head on, sharing our vulnerability, fears and weaknesses. Instead of forcing ourselves to try and be positive we put all our negative energy into the album in order to begin our own repair and to overcome.”
VEXED are:
Megan Targett – Vocals
Jay Bacon – Guitar
Willem Mason-Geraghty – Drums
VEXED online:
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Napalm Records
VEXED formed in 2019, consisting of vocalist Megan Targett, guitarist Jay Bacon, drummer Willem Mason-Geraghty and bassist Al Harper. The band quickly made a name for themselves across the UK metal scene with their hard-hitting sound and dynamic live performances.
Turning heads with their debut singles – including the fearsome ‘Elite’ featuring Thy Art Is Murder’s CJ McMahon – VEXED quickly created a palpable underground buzz. In 2020, they signed with the independent label Napalm Records, and released their debut full-length album, Culling Culture in May the following year.
Culling Culture features ten tracks that showcase VEXED’s signature sound, which combines punishing breakdowns, technical guitar riffs, and Megan Targett’s fierce vocals. The album’s lyrics explore themes of societal issues such as mental health and social justice and have been praised for their honesty and relatability.
The album was a commercial success and received widespread critical acclaim. VEXED’s live shows have also garnered a reputation for being intense and energetic, with the band earning support slots with notable acts such as Spiritbox and In Flames, among others.
Now VEXED look to their second album, to be released 23rd June via Napalm Records. A punishing listen, from haunting intro track ‘PTSD’, which sets the stage of dread ahead of the carnage to come, all the way through ‘Lay down your flowers’ featuring Alpha Wolf vocalist Lochie Keogh and intense finale ‘Nepotism’.
Like the best bands, VEXED on Negative Energy blends fury with emotion. ‘Default’ displays lead singer Megan Targett’s high-soaring clean vocals juxtaposed against her menacing deep growls, while the album’s most emotional offering, ‘It’s Not The End’, serves as a magnificent dedication to a loved one passing away, truly manifesting their legacy.
A stunning, devastating musical conduit – Negative Energy ventilates VEXED’s pain-stricken burdens and breathes life into their fresh approach, delivered with a thunderous vengeance.
Photo Credit: Andy Ford
