Vaux - Plague Music

Vaux
Plague Music
Equal Vision Records
Grade: A-

I have always seen and heard Vaux mentioned by other bands, but until getting this their latest EP I’d never actually heard them. Though the array of bands that they have played with and been associated with is awesome, I never really thought that Vaux would be able to live up to such comparison. Yet, on this five song EP, their first for EVR, the Denver-based six-piece is stunning. Few may have caught their set at the 2002 Warped Tour and fewer may have heard their two previous releases on Volcom. But now with building powerhouse EVR behind them on Plague Music, there is little doubt Vaux will follow a Coheed trajectory. The EP starts in a non-startling fashion with “Celibate Good Time” where the band rocks out a standard punk-hardcore amalgam. The action and essence of Vaux comes into play on the following “RAID!” “RAID!” is the first track to feature Quentin Smith’s spacey, epic vocals entwined with perfectly fitting guitar work. “Dearest Darkest” continues the trend with tripping vocals that mirror recent My Chemical Romance and includes a sweet Sabbath-esque section. “Sex Will Happen Tonight” completely changes mood with rangy Middle Eastern flair as Vaux relies on electronics, keys and mellow tempo. This song, combined with the previous two, brings up a conceptual connection with the late Ink and Dagger, and it is glorious. The EP closes on a more traditional hardcore note with “Plague Music;” though careens to sweeping mode towards the end. Given this EP, Vaux has the possibility for great things. I very much look forward to their next full-length where they can stretch out their vision.