Vega – Battlelines

There’s a strong argument to be made that Battlelines, the eighth studio album from UK hard melodic rockers VEGA, is the album they have been heading towards since Grit Your Teeth two albums and three years ago (the latter, although well-received, fell afoul of Covid-19, thus scuppering any touring plans in support of the album).
However said pandemic and forced hiatus allowed the band to take stock, implement a couple of line-up changes (bringing in drummer Pete Newdeck and ex Inglorious guitarist Billy Taylor), build from Grit Your Teeth and deliver Anarchy And Unity, an album that showcased a heavier VEGA, supported by an extremely good production/ sound.
The Bon Jovi-esque moments and obligatory "woah-ohs" were still present on Anarchy And Unity (the band are at their best when less of a template is followed) but its overall weight and musical purpose made for VEGA's best album to date. Until Battlelines.
The new album features another line-up change and a couple of departures – brothers James (keys) and Tom (bass) Martin have left the band and Mart Trail has come on board as bassist; he joins co-founder Nick Workman (vocals), Marcus Thurston (guitars) and the aforementioned Billy Taylor and Pete Newdeck.
On Battlelines the bolder, broader, and guitar-driven sound of VEGA (guitars were always to the fore but keyboards, when present, are utilised more as a texture or low in the mix backing) is impressively presented right from the get-go.
Opener 'Heroes And Zeros' is a punchy out and out rocker with change of pace verses (that sound like a high energy Magnum) and punch-the-air choruses ("We all want to be the one to save the day..." you get the idea).
The latter trait is trademark VEGA but here, and across the album, such moments and tag lines carry more conviction and purpose. In short, better and stronger songs.
The pacier 'Killers,' with Nick Workman in fine, full voice (he's on top of his vocal game throughout), bristles with so much energy you’d wager its life depended on it, and given its title perhaps does.
There's also a nice change of tempo with a more melodic Middle 8 and nicely understated guitar solo.
Contrast then comes by way of the title track, an AOR mid-tempo that stays close to a tried and tested formula but, by its very nature and as part of the VEGA profile, is destined to be a firm fan favourite (it’s also another song that highlights how vocally strong Nick Workman is on this album).
'Love To Hate You' then lifts the tempo again, and in impressive, hard-edged Euro rock style...
However said pandemic and forced hiatus allowed the band to take stock, implement a couple of line-up changes (bringing in drummer Pete Newdeck and ex Inglorious guitarist Billy Taylor), build from Grit Your Teeth and deliver Anarchy And Unity, an album that showcased a heavier VEGA, supported by an extremely good production/ sound.
The Bon Jovi-esque moments and obligatory "woah-ohs" were still present on Anarchy And Unity (the band are at their best when less of a template is followed) but its overall weight and musical purpose made for VEGA's best album to date. Until Battlelines.
The new album features another line-up change and a couple of departures – brothers James (keys) and Tom (bass) Martin have left the band and Mart Trail has come on board as bassist; he joins co-founder Nick Workman (vocals), Marcus Thurston (guitars) and the aforementioned Billy Taylor and Pete Newdeck.
On Battlelines the bolder, broader, and guitar-driven sound of VEGA (guitars were always to the fore but keyboards, when present, are utilised more as a texture or low in the mix backing) is impressively presented right from the get-go.
Opener 'Heroes And Zeros' is a punchy out and out rocker with change of pace verses (that sound like a high energy Magnum) and punch-the-air choruses ("We all want to be the one to save the day..." you get the idea).
The latter trait is trademark VEGA but here, and across the album, such moments and tag lines carry more conviction and purpose. In short, better and stronger songs.
The pacier 'Killers,' with Nick Workman in fine, full voice (he's on top of his vocal game throughout), bristles with so much energy you’d wager its life depended on it, and given its title perhaps does.
There's also a nice change of tempo with a more melodic Middle 8 and nicely understated guitar solo.
Contrast then comes by way of the title track, an AOR mid-tempo that stays close to a tried and tested formula but, by its very nature and as part of the VEGA profile, is destined to be a firm fan favourite (it’s also another song that highlights how vocally strong Nick Workman is on this album).
'Love To Hate You' then lifts the tempo again, and in impressive, hard-edged Euro rock style...
'Don’t Let Them See You Bleed,' is as hard hitting as Pete Newdeck is on his drum kit, while 'Embrace The Grey' is a true highlight, primarily because of its clever use of light and shade, impressive bass work from Mart Trail and a darker toned section that features (sparingly used) piano.
The wonderfully titled '33’s And 45’s' is heavy and hooky AOR (with, again, an echo of Magnum on the verses) while 'Into The Fire' does its best Def Leppard in AOR mode impression plus a huge, harmony-backed chorus.
'Run With Me' doesn’t quite catch the fire of the best songs on the album but it’s still a solid VEGA rocker, bolstered by a slower C part and melodically charged guitar solo work that interchanges with the choruses as the song reaches its conclsuion.
'Not Enough' is the sort of mid-tempo, texturised, ballad-building-to-heavier-chorus number you’ve heard on every VEGA album but, again, Nick Workman’s vocal conviction gives the number some gravitas.
The alt-rock approach employed on 'God Save The King,' complete with heavyweight-pop verses and amps at 11 for the chorus, makes for one of the best songs on the album (and one of the heaviest VEGA have ever delivered).
'Gotta Be You' then closes out the album (a bonus thirteenth track is included on the vinyl edition) with similar rockin’ intensity.
On Battlelines Nick Workman, who wrote the bulk of VEGA's material with the now departed James & Tom Martin, worked with Pete Newdeck, who also produced the great sounding album.
It’s a partnership that has paid dividends, because Battlelines, rather fittingly, draws a line in the sand to see if anyone will cross over to challenge them for best hard 'n' heavy melodic rock album of the year.
It’s a challenge few, if any, will win.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
The wonderfully titled '33’s And 45’s' is heavy and hooky AOR (with, again, an echo of Magnum on the verses) while 'Into The Fire' does its best Def Leppard in AOR mode impression plus a huge, harmony-backed chorus.
'Run With Me' doesn’t quite catch the fire of the best songs on the album but it’s still a solid VEGA rocker, bolstered by a slower C part and melodically charged guitar solo work that interchanges with the choruses as the song reaches its conclsuion.
'Not Enough' is the sort of mid-tempo, texturised, ballad-building-to-heavier-chorus number you’ve heard on every VEGA album but, again, Nick Workman’s vocal conviction gives the number some gravitas.
The alt-rock approach employed on 'God Save The King,' complete with heavyweight-pop verses and amps at 11 for the chorus, makes for one of the best songs on the album (and one of the heaviest VEGA have ever delivered).
'Gotta Be You' then closes out the album (a bonus thirteenth track is included on the vinyl edition) with similar rockin’ intensity.
On Battlelines Nick Workman, who wrote the bulk of VEGA's material with the now departed James & Tom Martin, worked with Pete Newdeck, who also produced the great sounding album.
It’s a partnership that has paid dividends, because Battlelines, rather fittingly, draws a line in the sand to see if anyone will cross over to challenge them for best hard 'n' heavy melodic rock album of the year.
It’s a challenge few, if any, will win.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ