MUSIC FARMER 5 - Review by Adam Jones
A Harmony of Havoc and Hope
In the grand theatre of metal, where each band scripts its own saga under the limelight, Birmingham's XILLA emerges as a compelling storyteller with their latest anthem, "Like Vultures." It is not merely a song; it is a vivid narrative painted on a canvas of sound, where each stroke of the guitar and each beat of the drum tells a tale of defiance and resilience.
As the opening hook from Chris Flanagan's guitar makes its appearance, one is transported atop a solitary peak; the haunting wail conjuring up the image of a vigilant vulture, its gaze piercing through the veil of the mundane. This is no ordinary beginning; it is an overture to an odyssey, a prelude that whispers of the tempest to come.
With the entry of Hugo Riberio's thunderous drums and the band's harmonized assault, the song unfurls its wings, enveloping the listener in a storm of sound. The drums do not merely keep time; they pulsate with the heartbeat of the wild, driving the music forward with relentless momentum. Greg Pullin's guitars craft a realm where epic grandeur meets intimate despair, a domain where the solitary flight of the initial wailing guitar finds its kin in the fierce ensemble.
Leigh Oates' vocals traverse this sonic landscape with the grace of a seasoned sojourner, his voice a beacon amidst the tempest, echoing the fervor of Avenged Sevenfold and the soulful depth of Ozzy Osbourne. The words he proclaims are threads of silver floating in the darkness, illuminating the path through the forest of fortunes.
The bridge of the song is a crescendo of conflict, where the guitar solo ascends like a phoenix from the ashes, a fiery showcasing of the indomitable spirit that the song embodies. It is in these moments that "Like Vultures" transcends the genre, becoming an ethereal-yet-aggressive experience that elevates & energizes the soul.
As the song draws to its climactic finale, with the band uniting in a final, powerful cadence and Rich Pullin's bass descending like the twilight of the vultures' hunt, one cannot help but feel a part of this epic saga. The song concludes, but its echo lingers, a haunting reminder of the journey undertaken.
The lyrics in XILLA's "Like Vultures" are a mosaic of emotion and insight, reflecting the turmoil and triumphs of the human spirit. They are a call to arms against the specters of division and despair, an anthem for those who seek to rise above the circling vultures of doubt and degradation.
The bridge of the song is a crescendo of conflict, where the guitar solo ascends like a phoenix from the ashes, a fiery showcasing of the indomitable spirit that XILLA embodies. It is in these moments that "Like Vultures" transcends the genre, becoming an ethereal-yet-aggressive experience that elevates & energizes the soul.
In "Like Vultures," XILLA has not just created music; they have crafted a masterpiece that is a glowing diamond in the dark shadows of modern metal. It is a song that resonates with the essence of our shared struggles and aspirations, a harmonious blend of power and poise that beckons the listener to soar on wings of sound.
This track is a showcase of XILLA's evolution, a bold step into the unknown that pays homage to the roots from which they sprung. "Like Vultures" is not just a song to be heard; it is a piece to be experienced; an epic journey to be undertaken.
Check out more from XILLA below!👇
Stay tuned for the release of "Like Vultures" Jan 31, 2024!