VILIFY Level Up with Magnificent New Release 'Dread Addict' & EP Sneak Peek
The rise of Newcastle-based heavy AF quartet Vilify has been incredible to watch.
Not only are they paving their way in the heavy landscape with some impeccable recent releases such as 'Take The Pill', 'Odyssey' and 'From The Inside', but they're doing it all on their own as a completely independent band.
The new release out today is called 'Dread Addict' which kicks off with ferocious guitars surrounded by an ominous backing synth that creates a looming sense of dread. Frontwoman Amy Mcintosh's raspy vocals draw us in, leading us to a bone-crunching riff display from guitarist Deni Hourihan. Drummer Kieran Jackson unwaveringly pounds away on the kit like a madman, but the most intriguing thing about this release, is it's the first to feature cleans from bassist Lizi Mcintosh (nee Blanco), who offers up backing vocals that are both alluring and add a completely new dimension to the group.
"The use of Lizi's cleans came about as we were on the way to record the song and Lizi said, from the dark shadows of the back of the car, "Hey should I do some cleans in the chorus". We definitely all agreed because we had been trying to get her to do some for a while. The whole point sonically for this song was for it to sound straight and huge where every note has a purpose."
We asked the group about the new song's inspiration, which Amy shared:
"Dread Addict is about a cycle that I find myself falling into over and over again. It’s about when you have a sinking unwavering dread for life with no justification. So you become hell bent on manifesting the justification. When I am at my lowest with no explanation I find myself doing the worst of the worst. Acting like a person I don't recognise just to have a reason to feel the way I feel. It's almost as if nothing logical is making me feel this shitty... I better go give myself a reason to feel shitty. I get addicted to the cycle of feeling bad and acting worse, just to not feel out of control of my own reality."
The new song also comes from Vilify's upcoming second EP - set for release in early 2024, which will also feature the previously released track 'From The Inside'. The band gave us a sneak peek of what to expect, revealing:
"From The Inside and Dread Addict are the first 2 singles off of our upcoming EP which will be released in early 2024. They set the basis for the sound of the EP, it's all going to be very big, epic, angry and aggressive with a sprinkle of shiny beauty (hopefully), but there are definitely some heavier, more in-your-face tracks coming also. We've locked into our sound finally, and we've had help from Chris Blancato to hone in on the vision. It's a very healthy relationship and synergy we have with him, so everything is working perfectly."
Could this be their best work to date? Without a fucking doubt. The time has come for you to get on the hype train, listen to 'DreadAddict', watch the music video directed by StellerMedia below and prepare yourself for the band's biggest glow up since conception.
Words by Paul ‘Browny’ Brown @brownypaul
Follow Vilify on Spotify
Stream 'Dread Addict' here
https://open.spotify.com/track/67dm82MmtAAdDMNkZAZtuY?si=576c742f02f34c69
