Vaeda - State of Nature

On State Of Nature, New Yorkers Vaeda push their slicked-up progressive rock/alt-metal to its most melodramatic potential. The album is all about high-wire emotional histrionics and cloudbursts of guitar, with nary a touch of irony. Ian Cole's keening wail (which often pitches into dramatic falsetto) is packed up against stop-start power-chording or, in more ruminative moments, ominously chiming notes. But beyond these hallmark, alt-metal postures -- heard time and time again from numerous artists -- there is not much to inspire beyond some clearly polished and sophisticated production work and instrumental mastery. Read More