Vangough – Kingdom Of Ruin – Album Review

It’s rare, but occasionally I need to take the foot off the pedal and get into some music that doesn’t make my ears bleed. HOWEVER, I always need some heaviness! Vangough’s new album is one of the most interesting and diverse creations I’ve listened to this year. Combining epic arrangements with clean vocals AND crushing riffs, Kingdom of Ruin truly has something for everyone.

Vangough comes right at you with an off-kilter progressive attack! ‘Disloyal’ opens the album; showcasing melody and heavy guitar tones that lead to a surprisingly raucous guitar solo. I’m not always a clean singing/soaring vocals dude but Clay Withrow is someone I can get into immediately. I think it’s the way he actually takes the listener into his world – not only singing but relating a story you must hear.

The album itself has a bit of a theme – one which describes an ascendency to ‘rabbit kingdom’ royalty. Since the cover has a rabbit, that’s what I deduced. The soaring vocals and sometimes bombastic atmosphere give the whole album a Dungeons and Dragons feel; which is perfect since the moments of heaviness sound like victorious battles during a massive campaign.

The band’s talent is very impressive. The drums are spot-on, helping to create a groove that is evident on every song. Not many bands can pull off a rock/metal mix with this much creativity and success. The production is outstanding, allowing you to enjoy all the little touches like traditional piano and even…whistles.

When I first listened to this album, I was walking my dog Winnie. I really became immersed in the sound all the way to the colossal closer called ‘The Garden that Time Forgot’. Kingdom of Ruin definitely deserves a listen…or two. There’s a lot going on and while it’s not always heavy, it works!

Track Listing

1. Disloyal
2. Choke Faint Drown
3. Abandon Me
4. Drained
5. Kingdom Of Ruin
6. Frailty
7. The Transformation
8. The Rabbit Kingdom
9. Stay
10. Sounds Of Wonder
11. A Father’s Love
12. Requiem For A Fallen King
13. An Empire Shattered
14. Alice
15. The Garden Time Forgot