Pretty much 2 years to the day UK traditional metallers Vendetta return with their second opus “Heretic Nation”.  Their debut “Tyranny Of Minority” scored a healthy 85% in these hallowed pages and it seems the band have grown nicely yet managed to refine their own sound even further.   Once again the guitar tag team of Edward Box and Pete Thompson shine brightly with their dual guitar terror attack beating recent output from the likes of Priest and Maiden for sheer quality of guitar work and provide an excellent lesson in how to form a cohesive twin guitar attack.  The rhythm section of drummer Lee Lamb and bassist Gary Foalle underpin the driving metal anthems anchor tight and have benefitted from a fitter production.  Perhaps another key in the bands overall progress is the maturity occurring in Edward Box’s lead vocals, you now get the impression he is feeling comfortable in his joint role in the band and lyrically this guy can pen words with the best of them.

Musically the band is pretty much as they were, although I feel the sound is more European this time around with some of the Americanism’s of the debut being dropped, although not completely.  As a result the album is slightly heavier and darker.

Opener “Delusion” is an addictive opener, home to all the Vendetta trademarks in its potent riffs, strong vocal hooks and A1 lead work, the track is a fine opener.  

“Age Of Annihilation” gets faster and is powered along by a thundering rhythm where some nice bass drum triplets from Lamb power the main riff.  The verses and choruses are again full of rich melodic content and here the progress in Box’s vocals can really be heard.  Home to a great middle section which is has nice harmony guitars (including the bass) add a Maiden-ish feel before the powering main riffs leads us into another round of the addictive chorus – a highlight. 

“New Horizon” is a mid-paced stormer with nice chunky riffs and another great chorus.  I suspect many bands would be tempted to up the tempo for a track like this, but to their credit the end effect from keeping the tempo grounded makes for a classier end product.  The album is also home to a contender for riff of the album after the chorus, Iommi would be proud of this one.  Another great trade off solo from Box and Thompson works well, each has their own distinct style from the occasional George Lynch-isms of Thompson to the more stylised work of Box which his strong vibrato and penchant for exotic string bends, both serve the music incredibly well.  The nice panning of the hammering riff after this segment is another fine touch.

“My Revelation” is a number that may have been heard by a number of readers already as it has been available on YouTube for a few months.  Its another strong, commercial metal number with a vicious spiky riff this is yet another slice of the bands trademark sound, the pre-chorus has an irresistible swoop to it before the simpler chorus hammers home its point nicely.  Here the production also really shines, keeping things in the classic mold, this is basically a powerful production with no fancy bits, just metal in yer face, we like it.  Another blistering brace of solos adds the icing to this very fulfilling track.

“Skaro” sees the band deliver their first instrumental track, comparisons can be heard to the likes of Maiden, Priest and even Thin Lizzy with its strong melodies.  Readers will know Box has released a couple of instrumental solo albums which all show the man can pen such numbers with ease, yet its nice to hear one worked with his band members into the Vendetta mold. 

“A Glass Half Empty” is arguably one of the heaviest tracks to date from the band. Home to a fast 16^th note verse riff which contrasts nicely with the more straightforward chorus, which has an exceptional impassioned vocal from Box - and nice backing vocals too.  The breakdown in the middle of the song is also a nice touch, an obvious nod to “Heaven and Hell” era Sabbath (think "Die Young") can be heard in this with Box’s almost falsetto vocal and the lead bass from Foalle along with acoustic chordal framework before a very tasty melodic solo.  However the band throw their own sound into it and it makes the track a highlight.

“Killing Time” should come with a warning to ensure your seat belt is tightly fastened as the tempo here could kill.  Fast, powerful with another addictive chorus (Box has got the art of penning these down to a tee) the tracks 4:08 running time goes by in the blink of an eye with its sumptuous dual guitar riffs and again more lead work that makes you wonder why these guys aren’t household names.  GREAT stuff.

“Face Your Demons” has an almost early Testament feel to the riff, certainly a contrast to its predecessor, Box’s vocals have a quasi “loud hailer” effect on the verse whilst the chorus sees melodic waters fared once more before the tracks great riff comes back in.  After the second chorus we get a nice slice of musical interaction before the solos come good once more which leads into an acoustic breakdown and here the production really shines. 

“The Space Between” is almost a nod back to the bands debut with its more Americanised sound, and simply said this is the kind of track Dokken could do with on their last few albums (or indeed Lynch Mob for that matter!). A rather simple riff (in comparison to others on the album) powers along the verse and before the chorus is traditional, yet not obvious thanks to the way Box has worked the vocal melody.  All in all another success and a nice contrast to more European material elsewhere.

“Powers That Be” again has an early Testament (Practice What Your Preach/Souls Of Black era) feel to in its jaunty main dual voiced riff.  The track is arguably the least commercial on the album and takes a few listens to really bring its point home. However I feel its slightly overlong at 7 minutes, yet there is enough strong musicality to end on a strong note, even if it doesn’t possess some of the immediacy heard elsewhere.

With “Heretic Nation” Vendetta have delivered the “TRADITIONAL METAL ALBUM OF 2009"  for me.  Their debut was good, but this is just better on every level and I strongly urge any fan of metal check this out ASAP.  This is an album that rewards on its first listen and just gets better with each subsequent play.  The production is strong, clear and powerful, the musicianship flawless and the vocals of Edward Box are distinctive and ideally suited, as well as giving the band their own identifiable sound.  The likes of Maiden, Priest etc have a lot to worry about as this is a band that is delivering fresh material with identity, honesty and overall pure skill.  With “Heretic Nation” Vendetta deserve to be massive and hopefully one the big boys will have the balls to offer these guys a support slot.