Vega’s way with a tune is such that James (keyboards) and Tom (bass) Martin have written material for labelmates Joe Lynn Turner and Danny Vaughn. Joe Elliott gave Vega a nod of approval, adding backing vocals to their cover of Def Leppard’s 10X Bigger Than Love, and like Def Leppard they’ve sharpened their melodic rock with a contemporary edge.
Unable to tour last year’s Grit Your Teeth, they used pandemic-enforced downtime to bring in new members Billy Taylor (guitar) and Pete Newdeck (drums), and to channel their pent-up energies into Anarchy And Unity’s notably consistent collection of songs.
Their ability to set rousing choruses amid bare-knuckle riffs and clichéfree arrangements is amply demonstrated, and modern production flourishes (End Of The Fade, Beautiful Lie) balance more traditional moments (Kneel To You, Had Enough).
- "Strong evidence that classic rock as an ongoing and healthy genre is worth checking out": The Temperance Movement don't reinvent the wheel on A Deeper Cut, but they sure keep it spinning in the right direction
- Arch Enemy promised they'd throw out the rule book for Blood Dynasty. They didn't go quite that far, but this is the boldest album of the Alissa White-Gluz era - and it kicks ass
Peppered with lung-busting vocal performances from Nick Workman, shredding solos and ear-catching guitar harmonies, Anarchy might be Vega’s strongest album yet.
