Review by Dom Vigil
Viretta fight their fears on their aptly titled full length album, The Fear, but not in the way you’d expect. Although many songs (see “Cordyceps” and the eerie two-parter “The Garden’s Over”) evoke a feeling of unease, the majority of The Fear plays with ease, dancing back and forth between soothing and startling.
Opening The Fear is the simplistic “Fear at 17,” which tests the waters before diving straight into the chaotic “Cordyceps.” Not only do these to songs do a great job of setting the stage for the remainder of the album, establishing Viretta’s gritty, eerie brand of rock, but they also feel a bit unsettling, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Throughout the following ten songs, Viretta only continue to play with these sounds, with an intricate rhythm section, powerful guitar work and gritty vocals spearheading much of the album.
Standouts on The Fear are definitely the moments that the band shakes things up. Obviously, this includes “Cordyceps,” but also the explosive “People Are Snakes,” which contrasts wonderfully with the stunning, “Lachrymal.” Where the first three songs are driven by dissonant, eerie guitar and haunting vocals, “Lachrymal” takes a different route and proves that Viretta aren’t a one trick pony. Other stand out moments come in the vocal harmonies on “Avidazen” and the phenomenal guitar work on “How To Wield The Knife,” which manages to evoke emotion even when vocals aren’t present.
There are moments where The Fear can fall into little lulls or become slightly stagnant, but thankfully, these don’t last long and are quickly broken up by an outburst of wild guitar work or a surprisingly beautiful track like “This Garden’s Over (B).” Above everything, The Fear continues to establish a solid, unique sound for Viretta, making them one of Denver’s artists to watch in 2018.
LISTEN TO: “Cordyceps” or “How To Wield The Knife”
STAY CONNECTED WITH VIRETTA: https://www.facebook.com/virettaband/