Vexed - Culling Culture (2021) Hi-Res

The quality of the chef matters just as much as the quality of the ingredients. Even the worst cooks in the world can make a solid burger or mac ‘n’ cheese from the box, but those who actually know their way around a kitchen or grill can elevate the expected into a new form of greatness. A simple or classic dish can turn into a sensory delight with just the right amount of seasoning and proper preparation.

That’s the central idea behind this stellar debut from UK progressive metalcore (sure, djent) group Vexed. Culling Culture will surely feel familiar to those who have been around the down-tuned rhythmic riffing of Meshuggah, Vildhjharta, and Periphery. Many will even point to label-mates Jinjer or fellow countrymen Monuments and Hacktivist. However, somehow Vexed take what’s great about all those bands and make it completely their own throughout this varied and very excellent record. Whether it’s the straight-out poly-rhythmic meaty assault of “Narcissist ” and “Lazarus” or the gloriously melodic spiciness “Aurora” or “Epiphany”, there’s a load of flavor to chew on.

Vocalist Megan Targett’s range is beyond impressive, going from Whitechapel-esque low-ends to almost rapped mids, to soulful singing – that last part is particularly important and impressive. Too often djent bands will employ simple hooks that lack the rhythmic intensity and intrigue of the underlying music, but that’s not the case here. Targett’s use of her instrument is at least as impressive as the remaining members, which is saying something when you have some of the best djent riffs since its heyday a decade ago. The bass/drum duo stay locked in throughout, emphasizing some of the band’s brash street/hardcore influences.

Overall, it’s not that you’ll hear blazingly new ideas or concepts from Vexed, but I am constantly annoyed at how that’s thrown around as an insult to new artists. Culling Culture is easily the best debut of the past year-plus not because I’ve never heard anything like it, but because Vexed have mastered their craft and their own sense of flavor using familiar ingredients. Put more bluntly: these songs rule and are way too much fun. It’s likely between this and Ghost Iris for progressive metalcore album of 2021, which is wild when you consider this is Vexed’s first output.