Vonavibe - Bleed To Life (2023) Hi-Res

Bleed to Life, the debut album by Vonavibe could’ve been the album that never was. Bleed to Life by Vonavibe is an album that redefines the sound barrier at least in terms of raw power. We often informally refer to that massive rhythm guitar, bass, and percussion vibe as a “Wall of Sound,” and the first bands that come to mind are Black Sabbath and Metallica. More veritably, the “Wall of Sound” was introduced in the 1960s by record producer Phil Spector, who invented a dense orchestral studio aesthetic made of layering, echo, spill, and mono. Currently, Vonavibe have sonically restructured this idea, and Bleed to Life does not simply give us a “Wall.” It builds us a grand fortress. With the first single, “Run ‘n’ Hide” is the driving, up-tempo track meant to be blaring as you floor it on the interstate. The guitar is gigantic, and the verses alternate between power-vocals and phrases sung through a megaphone, all blood and oil, flesh and cold steel, the beautiful violence of man and machine. The second single “Vonavibe” awakens your soul. The beginning vocal isolated with the rhythm guitar is the building block of the band’s signature layering technique, fully realized at the mid-point guitar solo constructed of both intricate runs and melodic phrasing. Picture the climax of a stadium concert. Picture everyone standing on their seats. The third highlight of the album “Hold On” is a vocal masterpiece, featuring three “pitch classes” that Dyon executes with precision. He goes from a near whisper to full voice, and at 2:11 he hits the top of his range in a falsetto fry usually reserved for rock royalty like Tommy Kiefer and Ronnie James Dio. Besides the addictive hooks, intricate dynamics, clever drum pattering, and diverse vocals, the guitar interplay on Bleed to Life, is exceptional. Part of this is a result of the technical production, writing, and studio performances, but more viscerally, it feels to the listener like becoming a tidal wave, a volcano, a hurricane, pick your simile. Of course, rhythm chords and repetitive riffing are often used as mere background to the verses, choruses, and platform solos, but Vonavibe create a world where the rhythm guitar is unique like a “vocalist,” with the lead guitar becoming an exotic superhero.