Review: Vandampire ‘The Last Good Thing Has Happened’ EP

Never judge a book by its cover. I remember hearing that over and over again growing up. When it comes to Vandampire’s new EP The Last Good Thing Has Happened, well, I judged and I’m glad I did. The artwork drew my attention with a beautifully illustrated teal feather that’s shattered into pieces. It perfectly defines the emotion of this EP, drawing you in with a dark acoustic intro allowing it to build in intensity until the feather explodes.

With this sophomore EP, Vandampire continue a sonic roller coaster twisting you through post-metal and sludge influences. Recorded in Hackney Road Studios by Jack Ashley in February 2020, the ensemble churn out five heavy tracks with an atmosphere, making you wonder how this is actually only three people.

As stated before, I Am Always Hungry, the opening acoustic track sets the mood. It starts calm but builds with some haunting vocals. It sets up the following two songs that show why the feather has exploded. The thundering drums and palm-muted riffs of The End Of Summer and the deafening screams of I Don’t Need To Apologize, God’s Forgiven Me, really showcase the sludge and post-metal influences.

a sonic roller coaster twisting you through post-metal and sludge influences…

The guys of Vandampire aren’t done yet though. You’ve Gone Grey brings you right back down for three minutes and a half minutes, only to hit you with one of the greatest closing songs I’ve heard all year. Freak Show Sideshow At The Shit Show is a track that stopped me. As I listened to this EP, I thought about what I could write but when Freak Show… crawled out of my speakers, I couldn’t do anything but listen and I suggest you do the same right now!

The Last Good Thing Has Happened is out now through Trepenation Recordings, but, as I stated earlier, why are you still reading and not listening to this EP!

Label: Trepanation Recordings
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram

Scribed by: Josh Schneider