By: Rob Thompson
Space Vacation | website | facebook |
Released on December 5, 2014 via Pure Steel Records
From time to time I’ll be driving with a passenger in my car and I’ll tune into one of the many rock/metal radio stations. Occasionally the DJ will pay a tune from the finest era of metal, the early to mid 1980s. At this point I’ll gradually turn up the volume and demand quiet while the song plays. I think to myself, “I hope my passenger likes this song, as I really love it.” Normally what happens is after the song finishes I’m greeted with pure silence; nothing, zero, zilch. I interpret this as my passenger loved the song as much as me. I have to admit that I really rather like doing this, especially as while the song is playing I frequently glance over, look them in the eye, nod my head, wink and mouth the words to the chorus.
I would do this to any track from Cosmic Vanguard!
With Cosmic Vanguard Californians Space Vacation present a collection of eleven tunes which continues in the same NWOBHM vein as their excellent second album Heart Attack, unleashed back in 2012. Released via Pure Steel each track on Cosmic Vanguard is dripping with melodic old school metal of the finest vintage. As you slide down the rabbit hole, you discover the world of metal as it used to be, how it was created in the first place and how it should be. Hook after hook of powerful melodies and shredding guitar delight the ears and take you back to a simpler time before all of the sub-genres and sub-sub genres sprung-up and made the whole scene messy and confusing to an old man like me.
Jay Shapiro conceived Space Vacation in the summer of 2008 realising that there was a gap in the metal scene for bands that could play fast heavy music with sing along vocals; and he is to be applauded for this decision. The album itself was produced by Zack Orhen, which resulted in a crisp and clear production, allowing the lead guitar by ex-Vicious Rumors member Kiyoshi Morganto to scream out of the speakers at you. Kiyo’s searing leads and excellent musicianship synergistically merge to give a classic twin guitar attack so crucial to the overall signature sound.
Proceedings start with a grand opener ‘On Your Feet’ closely followed by the surge of Motörhead fuelled acceleration that is ‘More is More’; it is here that the Scott Shapiro’s high pitch vocals are really showcased with the words being sung loud and proud. The gallop, gallop, gallop of the Iron Maiden like riffs in ‘Rolling Thunder’ are next before the title track: ‘Cosmic Vanguard’. This is the standout track of the album with plenty of delightful guitars which merge well with Mark Shapiro’s bass and Cubby Baumann’s banging drums; definitely one which you want to hit the repeat button and listen to several times.
‘Get Down’ and ‘Witch Wizard’ display more of a hard rock vibe but are none the less melodic in their delivery; experienced listeners of the genre will recognise little snatches of distinctly British metal sounds in these songs. Mid-tempo ‘The Living Damned’ uses the aforementioned impressive twin guitar melody along with blinding riffs and a memorable chorus.
‘Say My Name’ is slightly more power metal focused, while ‘Eye to Eye’ is somewhat aggressive but still full of catchy parts which make you tap your feet and bob your cranium up and down. ‘Battle Jacket’ springs into life blending rapid drumming with fast riffing while ‘Land of Steel’ is scientifically created to get the listener to pump their fist in the air.
What I enjoyed about Space Vacation is that they are clearly about having a good time; no hammock inducing one drum beat per decade doom or insane death metal bellowing here, nope – this is all about the way metal should be played! I imagine live they are all about audience participation, headbanging, beer drinking and singalongs. The release is very reminiscent to another classic heavy metal album I reviewed by High Spirits and just like that release this is a gem, especially if you love traditional heavy metal. With Christmas just around the corner I suggest you ask Santa Claus for this highly recommended masterpiece, even if you’ve been a bit naughty.
