Flashback CD Review #131 - Vaeda - State of Nature

This review originally appeared in the Reviews In Brief section of Rock is Life.com

VAEDA
State of Nature
Playtime Records 2006

"Vaeda’s State Of Nature is a crackling rock/metal
combination that spends most of its time whipping from
one breakneck number to the next. The songs combine
powerful vocals, ripping guitar work and the always
important rock solid rhythmic foundation. While the
vocals are a bit more screaming than singing in the early
part of the album, I did enjoy the vocal work a lot. Ian
Cole lets his voice soar high, but wisely knows when to
pull back and soft pedal the singing. The 12 songs are
made up of 10 rockers and two mid tempo numbers.
The album closing mid tempo track “Cacophony” was
one I didn’t care for all that much. I thought it made the
album go out with a bit of a whimper than a roar.

I did like the other midtempo song “1.25” though.
“Kneejerk” has everything going for it. It’s got a great
pop rock hook to the song. All of it goes for naught
when a horrendous ending ruins it. Meanwhile, back at
the rock front, “All For You” and “Bite My Tongue” are
superb cuts, with the former being worthy of heavy rock
radio rotation. The best song on the disc, however, is
“Son Of The Viper” which simply kills from opening to
closing note.

All in all, this is a pretty solid album. Any band that can
combine the influences of Nirvana, Pennywise and Living
Colour into a workable musical collaboration has to
really have something going for it."

3 1/2 out of 5