From the darkness oonce again re-emerges Detroit deathgaze duo VAZUM, creeping out from the shadows with their latest opus, the formidable V-. Released unto the world on Friday the 31st of March, this collection of blistering, electrifying deathrock numbers in the vein of 45 Grave and Christian Death is a re-imagined collection of the band’s greatest hits, lovingly re-recorded with VAZUM’s unique punk rock ethos.
V- stands as an emblematic representation of VAZUM’s auditory signature, a resplendent synthesis of goth rock and shoegaze. With V-, the band launches an impassioned attack on the insidious nature of idol worship, the corrupting influence of social media influencers, the self-righteous zealots of our time, the all-consuming greed of corporations, and the festering cancer of consumerism. In addition, the album serves as a clarion call for the eradication of domestic abuse and self-harm.
Opening with Angel (V-), the duet channels their disdain for those too quick to judge and too delusional for critical thinking – and condemning the self-righteous and greedy. From there, the album launches into the powerful gothic minor chords of Thief (V-), Embers (V-) is an existential crisis confronting the entity of fear, bellowed out in Pliska’s bountiful baritone. These three songs set the tone for the album, as it worms its way through feelings of paranoia, spirals, and confusion in a world that insists upon pigeonholing someone in the status quo. VAZUM’s V- is nothing short of a tour de force, a soul-stirring exhortation to resist the shackles of conformity and embrace the untamed spirit of individualism.
Keeping with the theme, Zach Pliska (vocals/guitar/drums) and Emily Sturm (vocals/bass) independently recorded and produced the album in their Light Echo Studio.
VAZUM, a Detroit-based duo comprised of Zach Pliska and Emily Sturm, has been taking the underground music scene by storm since their inception in 2017. With a plethora of albums and music videos under their belt, all produced from their own Light Echo Studio, VAZUM has garnered a loyal following with their distinctive sound and uncompromising aesthetic.
Zach Pliska, who started as a drummer in various Detroit bands, decided to become a bandleader and chose the name VAZUM, inspired by the predatory sea snail genus Vasum. With the release of their debut single Fall Guy in 2017, VAZUM quickly gained attention and recorded three albums – VAZUM (2018), Void (2018), and Variant (2019) – with the help of some friends who joined the band for live shows.
In 2019, Zach met Emily Sturm, a visual artist with a background in costume and jewelry design, at Leland City Club in Detroit. The two bonded over their shared love for music and art, and Emily joined VAZUM to contribute her own unique vision to the band.
As a duo, Zach and Emily have released an impressive four albums, one EP, and multiple singles. In 2020, they introduced their signature deathgaze sound with the acclaimed album Vampyre Villa. They followed up with the Halloween-themed album Rated V, a haunting blend of doomgaze, stoner-rock, and ambient textures; and Vazumnacht, a Krampus-inspired EP that transformed traditional Christmas carols into gothic industrial dirges.
As VAZUM continues to push the boundaries of their genre, they embark on a 10-date tour across the Midwest and Southern United States in April, bringing their mesmerizing live performance to fans far and wide.
TOUR DATES:
- 4/12 Akron OH – Annabell’s
- 4/13 Cincinnati OH – The Comet
- 4/14 Indianapolis IN – Black Circle
- 4/15 Fort Wayne IN – The Ruin
- 4/16 Chicago IL – Livewire Lounge
- 4/18 Louisville KY – Art Sanctuary
- 4/19 Nashville TN – Cobra
- 4/20 Memphis TN – Hi Tone
- 4/21 Atlanta GA – TBA
- 4/22 Asheville NC – Fleetwood’s
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