Jul 132017
 

 

(Neill Jameson (Krieg) brings us the streaming premiere of a new split release by two excellent bands — VVegas and Long Gone — together with an interview of the mysterious figure behind VVegas.)

Since the first time I was asked to write anything for No Clean Singing I’ve sung the praises of the enigmatic VVegas. I originally discovered this complex and, at times, downright fucking strange, beast through the split with Integrity and since then I’ve been a devotee. Mixing Holy Terror-infused dark hardcore with noise, neofolk, and some pieces which defy classification, VVegas is as prolific in sound as in their releases, which span across every imaginable format and can be somewhat frustrating to keep up with due to obscurity and limitation if you’re a physical collector. If not, then the VVegas Bandcamp site is a treasure trove.

Earlier this year, VV. released a split with the excellent Broken Cross (another band I’ve written about for NCS somewhat recently), but not one to let any moss grow there is also another split coming July 29th via Judas Chair Collective, this time with Long Gone. I asked VV.’s mastermind T. some questions regarding the split, which we present to you in full to accompany the conversation:

 

  1. How did the split with Long Gone come about?

Long Gone, along with Dredged, are fantastic bands from Finland that incorporate the essence of what has been referred to as classic Cleveland hardcore into their own DNA, and infuse it with their own flavour with a pinch of sambucus extract to create their own alchemy. I am glad the VV got to share a stage with them last year, which is when the idea was born to work on a split release via Judas Chair Collective, a conglomerate of great characters dedicated to releasing their emissions with attention to detail.

Athanor” and “Determination” were conceived at La Ribaute, near Barjac in the Cévennes. The music was created in the studio of Ogirdor Zul, a man of many talents who has joined the ranks of V.E.G.A.S. and whom I have been working with over the last year.

 

  1. VVegas seems to take many forms. Why is it important for you to shift shapes, so to speak, musically?

Shifting shapes is neither of importance nor an objective. It comes with the territory.

 

  1. Do you think it would be beneficial for more musicians to take an open approach to their music rather than stick within what seems comfortable to them?

Whatever floats your submarine. I think it is beneficial to give flight to the imagination, be true to one’s own standards, strike fire from the heart of man and express that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

 

  1. If you could say you follow one directive as an artist what would it be?

Kärchering the grime of daily life off my pneuma.

 

  1. You seem to spread your work across many formats. Why is this and do you have a preferred format?

Form follows function.

 

  1. Is there a central theme that works it way through your music or do you feel free to explore whatever mood and ideas interest you at the time?

I guess you can paint a hundred canvases on the same theme, which is not really of interest to me. It is more of a progression of moods and feelings. The theme, what is behind the emotion, the meaning, all that comes later.

 

  1. What is most important in life?

Challenging whatever meaning is ascribed to it.

 

******

 

As I’ve said before and will continue to say: 2017 is an excellent year for punk regardless of what sub-classification you’re into, and we’re only a bit beyond the halfway mark. Take a listen to this split and you can see exactly what I’m talking about.

You can order this split as well as other items of interest through:
http://judaschaircollective.bigcartel.com/

Judas Chair Collective on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/judaschaircollective/

For further listening of Long Gone:

Bandcamp:
https://longgonehc.bandcamp.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/longgonehc/

For further listening of VVegas:

Bandcamp:
https://vvegas.bandcamp.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/VVEGAS

 

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