Fans of the darker side of the Heavy Underground get to experience a rare convergence, the alignment of two bands that couldn’t be more different: Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats and Vitskar Suden. On the surface, these two bands have nothing in common aside from a ravenous fan base. Yet, these two albums, Uncle Acid’s Nell’ Ora Blu and Vitskar Suden’s Vessel have somehow consipred to release a back-to-back, one-two punch unlike anything I’ve experienced in nearly 50 years of being into this stuff.
Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats
Nell’ Ora Blu is one of the most genre-crushing albums of the past few years. I admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Uncle Acid, or at least I haven’t been. Personally, they always struck me is going back to the same well-worn well a bit too often. I’ve always respected the “beyond the 70s kitsch” that the band produces. But let’s just say, I didn’t get it.
Nell’ Ora Blu is so good, it’s made me go back and re-experience the entire catalogue. Whatever my problem was, I’m glad I’m over it. Still, whatever they crafted before, they perfected on this album. It could be the best “soundtrack” I’ve ever heard, with plenty of nods to Goblin, Argento, and Bava to make me do a deep dive for any Easter Eggs they’ve buried.
It’s not often that I see a band risk alienating their core audience without totally selling out to become an edgy version of Dad Rock. This was a massive gamble, and from what I can tell, it’s paying off!
Vitskar Suden
There is nothing even remotely similar between Uncle Acid and Vitskar Suden. Two completely different approaches to writing, arrangements, thematic elements, production, lyrical content, and presentation. And yet, instead of being a combination of chocolate and mustard, this ends up being a combination of chocolate and peanut butter. The universe demanded that this pairing occur.
Vessel is a deep meditation into the primal forces of horror: meaningless death, isolation, tragedy, and a Lovecraftian appreciation of the macabre. All of this is enveloped in some of some of the most beautifully crafted music I’ve ever heard, which somehow intensifies the experience.
Where Uncle Acid has crafted a sonic movie, Vitskar Suden’s Vessel is a collection of short stories, exploring dark themes from the fantastic to the inevitable. I personally find it almost addictive, with the melodies staying with me hours after my last listen.
For an even more extreme deep dive into the world that Vitskar Suden has created, we hope you enjoy this track-by-track commentary courtesy of Vitskar Suden and Ripple Music, which contains the entire album!
We think that these albums are a perfect pairing. Taken together, in any order, is like experiencing an old-school double-feature that you’ll never get tired of going back to, year after year.
Ok dude, giving Uncle Acid another shot based on your suggestion… I’ll be back.