Reviews

Note* Some reviews have been translated to English from other languages.

The Vengeful Few was formed in 2004 and is made up of experienced musicians, all of which are located in New Jersey (U.S.). Although the members have been in various rock and metal bands, The Vengeful Few was created to bring us classic traditional/heavy metal greatly recalling the 80s. While they don't sound exactly like another band, I definitely hear similarities to Iron Maiden, Stainless Steel, Destillery, Made of Iron, Hellowed, Gods of Fire, Wolf, Miles Beyond, Battalion and Fates Prophecy.

But of the many band comparisons, the New York City based Gods of Fire has stood out the most, and that's because The Vengeful Few features the terrific vocalist Keith Vitali, who's also the vocalist for the still active Gods of Fire. Keith has been singing since the age of 6, and this is very easy to believe, as he's surely one of the best vocalists in the style. I really like the Gods of Fire debut 'Wrath of the gods' and Keith's voice is one of the strongest aspects of that CD. The same goes for The Vengeful Few's 's/t' debut, as Keith stands out in the same manner.

The CD contains only 8 tracks of normal length and the overall running time is just over 40 minutes, but this is a perfect length in my mind, as most of the songs hover around a mid-paced tempo and over an hour of this pace might be too much. Don't get me wrong, this is far from a boring CD; the riffs are very catchy and there are many outstanding guitar solos. It's actually quite an upbeat CD that's thoroughly enjoyable, yet is a far distance from the fast-paced power metal that I mostly listen to.

Although I like every song on the CD, I will say that track 3 "New granada" is one of my favorites, as it starts out slow before instantly grabbing your attention with its catchy rhythm. Track 6 "Marie" must also be mentioned, as it's probably the most melodic and also the most memorable. The slow and piano-oriented track 7 "Face reality" is also excellent though, and it emanates classic metal at its best. The closer "One twenty three" is as strong as any other song on the CD, and you're left with a CD that's great from start to finish, with no fillers.

So this is very well done classic traditional/heavy metal and if you're into the many aforementioned bands, this is a blind purchase. In fact, if you have and enjoy the Gods of Fire debut 'Wrath of the gods', this becomes even more of a recommended CD. The Vengeful Few has certainly accomplished what they set out to do, as this is a nice ride back through the 80s.

From www.metal-rules.de -

Finally, here is the first CD release of this band formed back in 2004. According to their biography on their homepage THE VENGEFUL FEW are totally dedicated to the legendary 80ies Metal. A statement that's delightfully received by me and my sensitive ears and that's instantly proved by the first few beats of the opening track. It became a smooth and relaxing car ride. I congratulate these guys on the fact that they didn't promise too much. Their typical US Metal combined with a mixture of IRON MAIDEN / JUDAS PRIEST makes the music taste like a good Scotch fillet. Guess an old Metal Maniac like me doesn't need to wish for more. Furthermore Tom Catuosco and John Zambri demonstrates us how to play a real lead guitar whereas vocalist Keith Vitali skillfully refines the songs with his palatable voice. Yeah, my peg leg is sweeping to the beat, hargh hargh. Hope there are several German distributors who will read these lines (they'll do so anyway) and order this CD from the band. www.thevengefulfew.com

RonJacMetal

Translation: Peter Schulien

From www.metalexpressradio.com -

There are numerous world-renowned and famous Metal acts out there from around the world. How many famous bands account for those hailing from New Jersey (United States)? To be truthful and brazenly honest, one could count them all on one hand -- maybe two in case one or two bands slipped through the cracks during this monumental and significant task. Curious? Well here’s the list: Skid Row, Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society & Ozzy), Symphony X, Glenn Danzig (Misfits, Danzig), and Overkill. Good thing this wasn’t on an exam because 40% would have been the best score in this case.

Getting back to the main objective -- reviewing the latest release by The Vengeful Few -- this fairly new band (formed in 2004) hails from Morristown, New Jersey, which is a good thing for NJ since the five members are all excellent musicians and can really bring it. These guys were tired of modern music that passed for Metal and wanted to create music that had actual guitar solos, great guitar riffs, and real Metal vocals, according to its band members.

As unbelievable as this might sound, this new release titled The Vengeful Few is bit of a masterpiece and can hold its own with most Metal music out there today. The band incorporates excellent musicianship and play along with great sounding vocals, perfect for the genre, and mixes in their own sound to produce something new and refreshing for a change, and frighteningly good at the same time. There are many … yes many guitar riffs and solos (from one guitarist and sometimes from both guitarists) that leave you begging for more -- these solos are really good -- you’ll see! You also have an ever-impressive rhythm section holding things together and leading the way. The bass work is impeccable, leaving nothing to chance. Jim isn’t afraid to go past the 5th or 7th fret as can be witnessed in his playing. There are no voids here. The drumming is exceptional as well with the most complimentary cymbal work that one can imagine. The vocals are just right for Metal and Keith doesn’t hold back one bit with his above average range.

Not bad for a band of five guys from New Jersey. Its members are as follows: Keith Vitali (vocals), Tom Catuosco (guitar), John Zambri (guitar), Gary Rinaldi (drums), and Jim Gowe (bass). These guys all have talent, but when they combine their skills and energies, something is created that can’t be overlooked. The Vengeful Few shows their creative thinking and writing process. The love for music and their strong effort on this production is clearly evident in the final product.

“Madhouse” is the opener, and what a killer track. From this early point into the CD, you are aware of the fact that this is not your typical Metal CD. The bass and drums are truly phenomenal all the way from beginning to end. The guitar work by both Tom and John aren’t too overpowering, but unleash at the 4:00 minute mark with some very impressive riffs and then solo work. This is definitely one of the highlights. “Circle Of Seven” picks up where “Madhouse” left off with some intense guitar work right from the start. The bass playing on this track is a real treat. Jim is up and down the fretboard without a worry in the world. After all, he does know how to play this instrument. This tune also has many changes in it and is hard to follow at first. “New Granada” opens with piano added to the mix. It adds another dimension to the music and does it with a nice touch. Keith’s vocals are on the money in this one -- a perfect fit. The song goes into another dimension once the piano stops and the guitars kick it into high gear. Lots of soloing done on this one. A real good track. “Get Us Out” has a Judas Priest touch to it once the vocals kick in, even if it is ever so slight. Keith even has a hint of Halford in him during this track. “The Breakdown” is a slightly darker tune and somewhat different in sound than the other tracks that came before this one. “Marie” isn’t a love ballad by any means. More times than not when you see a one word title, especially that of a woman’s name, it turns out to be a love song. Not in this case. There are more great sounding solos to look forward to in this one. “Face Reality” is another piano tune, but the song has a very different sound and approach to it compared to the other tracks on the CD. It might have been better to leave this song off the album and replace it with something more heavy. It takes away from the overall feel and concept of this being a Metal album. The closer is “One Twenty Three” and comes out with a roar. This track is full of energy and is pretty heavy in its own right.

The band is currently unsigned and looking for a record label to pick them up. With the amount of talent that this band has and the music that they are capable of producing, it shouldn’t be long before someone snatches them up. Metal lovers will love this album because of their new sound and their great music.

From West Side Dave -

Morris County, New Jersey based 5-piece The Vengeful Few are something of an anomaly in the US Metal scene; having odd qualities like guitar solos, cool riffs [in standard tuning!] and a vocalist that can actually SING! You guessed it, The Vengeful Few are firmly rooted in traditional `Eighties-style Metal; think Dio, Priest. Far from a nostalgic trip down memory lane by a bunch of hobbyists, the bands` debut album consists of eight well thought out tunes that are sure to appeal to those listeners who DON`T consider turntables as standard equipment in a Metal band! The CD is a self-produced [and self released] affair, and it`s obvious that a lot of care went into recording the album. While the disc certainly doesn`t sound as if it was recorded at Electric Lady Studios, the clean, uncluttered production suits the music to a "T". Each instrument comes through loud and clear, and the guitars [always a Metal essential] cut through the mix. The band is made up of vocalist Keith Vitali [Gods Of Fire], guitarists Tom Catuosco and John Zambri, drummer Gary Rinaldi and bassist Jim Gowe. Top class players through and through, the guys are obviously comfortable playing together, which shows in the tunes. Among the standouts are cuts like "Madhouse", "Circle Of Seven" [based on Stephen King`s "It"], "The New Granada", "Marie" and one of my personal favorites [among others!] the NWOBHM-styled "Face Reality". Clever hooks and song structures, intelligent lyrics, quality musicianship and a total dedication to what they do make this one of the finest Metal debuts of 2008. Now all we need is a record lable who can recognize REAL talent when they see it and sign these guys! Highly recommended!! [Special thanks to Tom Catuosco for sending the CD for review, and to Sleepy Hollow`s Joe Dell for hooking us up!!]

From www.metalcoven.de -

I have been waiting desperately for a new album from the US Power Metal-Sensation Gods of Fire and finally I get my money worth, even without Gods of Fire having a new album out.

Instead I have the debut CD of “The Vengeful Few” from New Jersey in front of me and as luck would have it this group does not only sound musically similar to the Gods of Fire but even more they have the front-man Keith ”Prometheus“ Vitali being part of their group!!

So it is not really surprising that after listening to the album just one time I am absolutely thrilled and that I have been listening to the album every single day over the last few weeks.

Eight first-class, playful power metal jewels are waiting for you. As a fan of old cult-bands like Iron Maiden and Helstar or a henchman of new metal-squadrons like Crescent Shield and Last Empire, you just have to love them (the eight songs)!!

The melody is mind-blowing, unleashing twin-guitars, impressing chorus, diversified songwriting and simply fantastic vocals make this CD an absolute treasure of contemporary US Metal. It will fully please every fan of this genre.

The fantastic opener “Madhouse” goes strong right at the beginning with an A1 chorus that one will memorize immediately (“the chorus is burning itself into your memory”). The following “Circle of Seven” fascinates you with its mystic-dark atmosphere; the very felicitous “Marie” is offering top class US Metal!!

The terrific “Face Reality” deserves also special mentioning because the band is playing a softer tune. Thereby delivering a breathtaking rock-song that reminds one of the Art-rock heroes Styx or Kansas rather than of classic, original (cast-iron) Heavy Metal of the 80s. But also in this area of music the “guitarerro” Tom Catuosco and his entourage feel very comfortable and give a good performance.

This album is amazing from front to back without any black out (or just a semi good performance). With each turn of listening it unfolds more addictive potency. “The Vengeful Few” for me are definitely one of the most promising and sweeping new-comers that the US underground generated over the last months… actually, since the amazing Crescent Shield-debut “The last of my kind” I cannot think of another debut-album of the American metal-“forge” that enthused me so much like the CD from “The Vengeful Few”. Evident conclusion: For all the US-Power Metal-Freaks there is an acute and 100% obligation to buy this album!!

Translation: Stefan Ostermayer

From www.musikreview.de -

The next Metal-Time-machine is standing again in the States, because the still contract-free “The Vengeful Few” from New Jersey take us to the early to middle 1980’s and hold on to the traditional soul, so they can defend it against any influence of the modern spirit. Thus, with their debut the band that has been found and led by the guitarists Tom Catuosco and John Zambri stands knee-deep in today’s underground. Singer Keith “Prometheus” Vitali maybe known to some insiders through his work with “Gods of Fire”.

The dull but appropriate sound far away from any state of the art production but with rehearsal-room-aroma fits perfectly to the overall picture and contributes to the charm of this album. Also because of that the eight songs sound very authentic, the more so as the entire album is being surrounded by a rather thoughtful atmosphere. Despite reliance on established tradition this atmosphere assures additional profoundness. The band never lapses into furiousness anyways, despite some excessive solos, but rather sets on variable and playfully detailed mid-tempo. Several fast gripping riffs that sometimes seem familiar guarantee that it never gets too complex. It is hard to miss that guitar-doubles are leading the pace at “The Vengeful Few” because in songs like “Circle of Seven” or “Marie” a certain Maiden-Styling is once more unmistakable. Also some bass-lines seem significantly inspired by that.

The diversified, mostly mid-pitched vocals, which get their attractiveness also from certain craziness, guarantee a unique note. Also because of that the music of The Vengeful Few stays away from any kind of mainstream. If you like it a little bit grumpy you will get your money worth listening to titles like “New Granada”, especially since there is no doubt about the ability of Mr Vitali. Adding some faster songs (which the band should not have a problem playing) may put them more in the spotlight in the future. But despite their firm foundation the band already knows how to surprise. Therefore “Face Reality” which starts as a “tilted” piano title is really unexpected on this metal-record. Again this song is really tilted but also really enthralling. And that is even more true for the final album-highlight “One Twenty Three”, which is absolutely suitable for head-banging.

Conclusion: The “hymnfactor” is not really high at The Vengeful Few. But their debut offers thoroughly honest, down-to-earth metal in traditional style that is also appealing through its unorthodox style. This album is addressed primarily to specialists since it is far away from any en-vogue sounds.

Translation: Stefan Ostermayer

From www.sacredmetal.de -

“Oh, the new Armored Saint?” That is what I thought, after I heard the opening riff of the opener “Madhouse” for the first time. Also during later moments the young band from Morristown New Jersey reminds me of “L.A.most headbanging band”. But with his half-high-pitched really good voice the singer Keith Vitali sounds significantly different from John Bush. Therefore the parallels are limited to the sound and structure of the powerful riffs, which are brilliantly played by the duo Tom Catuosco (who by the way is responsible for most of the compositions) and John Zambri. This debut could have easily arose from the blessed and often glorified 80’s. Priest meet Leatherwolf and Malice, sometimes Premonition appears around the corner - Ready is a cocktail that fans of moderate Power Metal with beautiful melodies, crashing guitar riffs and good vocals easily will buy.

Translation: Stefan Ostermayer