Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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VINDICTIV is a Swedish progressive metal band that was formed in 2004 by Stefan LINDHOLM and keyboardist Pontus LARSON. Other band members include singer Goran EDMAN, bassist Nalle PAHLSSON, and drummer Mikael WIKMAN. Other band members that used to be in VINDICTIV, but left after their first demo, were guitarist Johan LARSSON, and singer Tommy KAREVIK.

They released a demo in 2005 that was featured in Sweden Rock Magazine and got many positive reviews. VINDICTIV came out with their first album, Vindictiv in 2008. This album had a very good diversity of songs and GORAN had some very good vocals on it. On the album they used guitar that sounded similar to that of Yngwie MALMSTEEN (who their lead vocalist has contributed with). Their second album, Ground Zero, was released in 2009 and has very well crafted compositions. In their latest album they have excellent keyboard and guitar solos. Overall this album is an excellent progressive heavy metal album.

~ Progarchives

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Sweden's Vindictiv is the brainchild of guitarist Stefan Lindholm, who founded the band back in 2004. After completing a demo with vocalist Tommy Karevik (Seventh Wonder), he left and the band was without a lead singer. Enter Goran Edman, the vocalist who fronted Yngwie Malmsteen's band for the Fire And Ice and Eclipse albums back in the 90's. Stefan Lindholm is an obvious Yngwie worshipper as evident with his guitar style and getting a vocalist like Goran Edman to front his band must have been a dream come true for him. The result is a debut album that has obvious Yngwie neo-classical heavy metal influences yet crosses the borders into melodic heavy metal territory with some elements of progressive metal as well. Vindictiv has a very unique sound and it's quite refreshing to hear a band that places such high value in vocal melodies and strong soaring choruses as this album has some of the best that I've heard in long time.

The album begins with a strong track in Fool's Paradise and it a great introduction to this band and to the rest of the album. Stefan Lindholm's speedy Yngwie styled scale runs weave in and out, much like they do in just about every track and Goran Edman sets the tone with his trademark strong melodic vocals. Caesar's Commentaries boasts a stronger keyboard presence with Goran's voice taking on more Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray) like qualities. The Royal Loo (weird title!!) sees Vindictiv speeding things up with Andi Deris/Chris Bay (Freedom Call) vocal styles and a more progressive metal feel with it's rich synthesizer leads. Dreams Of A Demon's Head (where did they get these song titles!!) is more of an atmospheric neo-classical track with a big rich chorus and a much more concise arrangement along the Kamelot lines with David's House featuring hugely melodic almost Styx-like soaring and passionate vocal melodies. Stefan Lindholm exercises a little more "restraint" here with a much more controlled lead guitar style. A Quiet Life and Living Colours continue with the Yngwie inspired melodic neo-classical metal with A Quiet Life turning up the melody a notch as Goran Edman delivers an amazing melodic vocal. Hymn To Dedemona is the sole ballad on the album with it's piano/voice arrangement and once again, the passion and power in Goran's voice highlights the track. A Second Life ventures into melodic heavy metal territory in a mid tempo track with sprinkles of keyboards and a strong chorus and the album finishes with Fata Morgana, a track that features epic neo-classical heavy metal and soaring melodies accompanied by newsreel clips of everything from George Bush speeches and other newsworthy items from the world of politics to more current concerns about climate change yet offers an optimistic view of it all in the face of adversity.

Stefan Lindholm's sometimes out of place and unnecessary Yngwie-like fret board gymnastics on a few tracks initially was a bit of a turn off, but on others his beautiful sense of melody and proper root note use really adds to the overall killer melodic sense that Vindictiv has. They are a unique band that has a distinctive twist on the melodic heavy metal genre by employing elements of progressive metal as well. Goran Edman's vocal performance is simply out of this world and truthfully; I don't think I've ever heard him sound better. With a very solid sound and a mastery of emotion, passion and melody with the vocals, Vindictiv is a true joy to listen to. Ten new tracks have been written for the next album already so there should be no shortage of quality material from this band. Highly recommended for fans of melodic heavy metal who enjoy a little of the classic Yngwie neo-classical flash.

by Marty, metalreviews.com

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Swedish progressive metallers Vindictiv return with the follow-up to their excellent self-titled debut. Fronted by former Yngwie vocalist Goran Edman, band founder and album producer Stefan Lindholm is sensational handling the guitar duties, while rounding things out we have Pontus Larsson (keys), Nalie Pahlson (bass) and Zoltan Csorsz (drums). As an added variation, Edman shares his vocal duties with guest appearances by Oliver Hartmann (At Vance) and Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring of Fire). Lindholm's Yngwie-influenced guitar playing serves as the album's chief highlight, but the sound and music is by no means plagiarism in relation to Yngwie's style because Lindholm displays a technique that is individual in nature

The album springs from the gate with the heavy opener "Modern World", featuring a sweet, catchy chorus, which adequately paves the way for the remainder of the album. Now back to the vocals, Goran Edman handles the singing duties on seven of the eleven songs, while Oliver Hartmann is stellar relative to his guest performances on "Reach Out", "I'm Back Home" and "The Sacrifice". The same holds true for Mark Boals on "Venom". The use of alternating vocalists adds exponentially to the overall feel and quality of the album. Adding further to an overall winning formula is the quality songwriting and an epic production job. Those familiar with the debut will immediately notice that the songs are all lengthier and that the heaviness factor has been dialed up a fair amount. However, none of this derails the catchiness of the songwriting, or the superb musicianship on display.

In a nutshell, with Ground Zero Vindictiv deliver to their fans a heaping platter of well crafted Progressive Power Metal enriched with heavy riffs, alternating tag team solos between the guitar and keys, all of which is buoyed by a solid, steady rhythm section. A definite winner! Highly Recommended

by PowerMetal59, metalcrypt.com

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Vindictiv: Discography (2008 - 2015)

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Sweden’s VINDICTIV is back with their new release “World of Fear”. It’s the bands fourth release and first since 2013’s “Cage of Infinity” and also the first to feature singer Mark Boals, who is currently doing bass duties in DOKKEN on the road. Boals is and always has been one hell of a singer and his vocals are a welcoming addition to the neo-classical melodic metal sounds of VINDICTIV. Being somewhat familiar with the first two VINDICTIV releases due to them featuring the golden-throated Goran Edman, I did know the bands’ sound and Boals is perfectly suited for that style having spent many years on and off again with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, the king of the neo-classical sound.

“Prophecy” opens the album with a heavy and unrelenting riff while Boals voice soars over it. While the heaviness of the song is present a melodic side shines through and it’s a good precursor of what’s to follow on the rest of the record. “Why” continues the heavy yet melodic vibe with another riff-based tune and the sounds of DREAM THEATER from their “Images & Words” period starts to shine through. The keyboard work on this song is special and very Kevin Moore-ish. The record takes an even more melodic turn on “Paralyzed”. The song has a very melodic nature with the chorus as Boals vocals shine even more than they have so far and again I find myself impressed with the keyboard work of Pontus Larsson (and company). VINDICTIV does a great job of meshing the heavy and melodic sides of metal. I don’t want to go any further without mentioning the speedy fretwork of Stefan Lindholm, who keeps pace with the frantic keyboard work and is equally impressive every step of the way.

“Clay” toughens things back up with a heavy riff and some totally impressive guitar soloing. DREAM THEATER influences make their way back with “Day” as the Petrucci-esque guitar tones find their way into the mix and Boals turns in an especially impressive vocal on the track while pushing his voice into the higher registers. The song has a very melodic chorus just like “Paralyzed” and it makes for another memorable track. By this time in the record you expect either a great guitar or keyboard solo (or both) within the song and you get that yet again.

The title track “World Of Fear” continues with the DREAM THEATER feel as Boals brings his vocal into the James LaBrie territory (or for a totally left-field comparison I even hear shades of Brit Nick Workman of VEGA and formally KICK). I’m very impressed with Boals vocals on this record like never before. “Till The Dawn” eases up and finds the band in a more melodic rock territory as they forgo the neo-classic speediness for a bit, at least until you get to the soloing that is. Let’s just say John Petrucci would be proud and I really like extended guitar/keyboard play on this song.

“Dead Men” brings back the heaviness but still retains melody in a DREAM THEATER sort of way while “Wall of Pain” continues along the same path with the heavy yet melodic approach. The band chose to cover the YNGWIE MALMSTEEN instrumental classic “Far Beyond The Sun” and they give it a more than faithful run-through. As if you needed more evidence that Lindholm can hold his own in comparison the (self-exalted) great one then you get it here while playing on MALMSTEEN’s home turf! Rounding the album is the appropriately titled “The End”. It’s just more of the same as you get the chunky and razor-sharp riffs of Lindholm backed with a melodic vocal arrangement from Boals.

Even though the “World of Fear” album is not exactly a progressive record I still come away with many comparisons to a time when DREAM THEATER leaned towards a more accessible sound as I hear a lot of “Images & Words” on this album. They are a self-proclaimed neo-classical band, and that they certainly are but the melodic choruses and excellent vocals of Mark Boals ties it all together to make for an enjoyable listen for metallers, prog-heads or melodic rock lovers alike.

~ rockeyez.com