Review Summary: Standing tall in a crowded field.
A year ago, a little-known two-person act known as Tanooki Suit released a song on YouTube. Titled "Lordvessel" and based off of the famous (perhaps infamous) video game series Dark Souls, the song became a phenomenon among fans of the game. Almost instantly, Tanooki Suit became a household name across the internet--just try to look them up and they appear immediately. From this track people were acquainted with the band's promising EP, Euclid: a hardcore powerhouse full of catchy melodies and some of the best vocals in the metal scene. Naturally, when the group announced plans for a follow-up, expectations were set high.
Bands often start strong and then begin to falter, disappointing their fans. Tanooki Suit, however, show no signs of slowing down. Vaati & Veselekov, the duo’s second main release, stays true to the form established on Euclid while building upon it and expanding their sound. It gives you exactly what you’d anticipate while still keeping it fresh, avoiding the danger of becoming formulaic. The parallels between the two efforts are apparent, but there are more harsh vocals and computer-generated beats on this particular release. The production is tight and keeps things clean; every instrument can be heard doing their job.
The album kicks off much like its predecessor did. Opening track “Yasogami High” launches out of the gate without warning. Tanooki Suit doesn’t waste time with introductions, hooking the listener instantly with an incredibly energetic sound that constantly keeps your attention. Vocalist/guitarist Aleksander Kmiec has undoubtedly one of the most beautiful, animated singing voices in the market right now, and tracks such as “Yasogami High” are supported and made highly entertaining by his ever-present liveliness.
The album slows down on the next song, “A Bloody Mess”, showcasing a dynamic that the band has shown is one of their strongest points. The track proceeds at an unhurried pace, fully exploring the group’s songwriting capabilities and diversifying the record. The driving background melodies the band employs are reminiscent of metalcore/hardcore acts such as I Saw Daylight and Until We Are Ghosts, drinking from the same genre well as both sets. Tanooki Suit excels at making memorable moments in their music, and the chorus here is no exception. However, this song is overshadowed by “Avarice”, which is unique for its prominent usage of harsh vocals. They are usually only used as supplements to the tunes, but here they take center stage. The rhythm and drumming clearly point towards metalcore influence, and comparisons can be drawn here with melodic metalcore acts like Seasons in Wreckage. It’s a hard-hitting song and one of the highlights of the album.
Each track features a unique factor that distinguishes it from the others, engaging even the most reluctant listener. “The Pilot” contains a bit of acoustics, as well as computer-generated orchestration. Coupled with Aleks’s soaring vocals, the song gives off a very epic feel, placing one in the midst of a climactic, emotional moment. “Berserk”, the near 6-minute album closer, has a riff giving off a sense of chaos and despair, moving the song at a reduced speed. The song dissolves into a simulated beat with a violin playing mournfully in the background until the track finally stops.
Vaati & Veselekov ultimately has two tracks (“Murder Ghosts” and “Something like Breathing”) that aren’t too special and lack the same amount of dissimilarity displayed by their companion tunes. Even then, the LP keeps itself interesting and doesn’t let you go, despite a missed opportunity or two.
In a field many consider to have little room for experimentation and individuality, Tanooki Suit have emerged as an outlier, contradicting stereotypes put on metalcore and hardcore bands. Although not the biggest deviation from genre norms, Vaati & Veselekov maintains an exclusive sound that leaps out of the crowd. With two solid records behind them now, the group is firmly planted in their own spot. There is definitely a hype train behind this band, and now they have undisputable proof to back it up.
