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Vega: Battlelines

Melodic Hard Rock/AOR

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 05.09.2023 | Released: 08.09.2023

England's Vega, formed by vocalist Nick Workman in 2009, has been a picture of consistency. Since their inception the quintet has been releasing a studio album every two years, more or less, ever since. Not only consistent in output, Vega has been constant in quality. Every album has been a solid platter of melodic hard rock. Now Workman and Vega return with their eighth studio album, Battlelines, which arrives with new bass player Mart Trail.

Vega

That musical description should be expanded perhaps, if only for those new to the band. Vega's melodic hard rock can have some metal edge in the riff and back end. But, even so, all things are wrapped up in arena-ready AOR accessibility. There's a great many elements to enjoy with a Vega song. For this listener, the top ones are Workman's strong melodic vocals, the accompanying vocal harmony, but also the rock groove, catchy refrains, and epic guitar solos.

All these things come together across this album. Which is to say, with 12 songs, everyone is pretty killer. Ergo, with those aforementioned favored characteristics in mind, I was quickly impressed with the catchy brisk AOR rockers like 33's And 45's, Heros And Zeros, Run With Me, and God Save The King (which can push the melodic metal envelope). Don't Let Them Bleed is an interesting number. The song has some groove and quickness, but also drops in some soft segues with a piano line undercurrent. However, the completely killer track was Love To Hate You with its amazing vocal line which, in turn, is wrapped up in dynamic riff-rocking groove.

All said, Vega's Battlelines is another superior tour-de-force of their highly entertaining and damn catchy AOR melodic hard rock. Get it! Easily recommended.

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Vega's Battlelines is another superior tour-de-force of their highly entertaining and damn catchy AOR melodic hard rock. Get it! Easily recommended.

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