VEXATIONS

Edinburgh-based off-kilter post-punk collective release new single Stone Vultures via Cruel Nature Records.

Photo Credit: @fraser_gig_photos

Named after composer Satie’s infamous piano piece that was banned because it was deemed too unsettling to perform live, Vexations create frenetic and off-kilter post-psych, with dissonant layered guitars, unorthodox song structures, and vocals that oscillate between spoken word and emphatic screams, to give a punchy yet unearthly sonic experience.

Formed in Edinburgh in 2023, Vexations brings together the diverse contributions of Calum (guitar) whose angular and disjointed riffs steer the band, David (guitar) whose distorted cacophonies of noise provide the sonic texture, Bradley (drums) whose warp-speed frenetic percussion drives the energy, and Rayhana (bass/vocals) whose ethereal yet punchy spoken-work and then screaming vocals punctuate the tracks and arrest attention with her abstract and otherworldly lyrics. The result is a high energy, emphatic, off-kilter and distorted wall of sound experience that contorts the sense and captures that feeling we all have that something just isn’t quite right.

Since forming, Vexations have become a relentless and immersive live project, playing numerous headline and support shows across Edinburgh and Glasgow’s scuzziest venues, honing their distorted and hook-laden sound, and building a loyal following. Now they drop their first single Stone Vultures in anticipation of their upcoming EP A Dream Unearthly.

Stone Vultures sonically bursts into life with high-octane drums and experimental dynamics before exploding into the verse with driving guitars juxtaposed with spoken word vocals. The lyrics hypnotise through themes on the common tragedy across ancient myths and histories through to today – where heroes and nations fall because of their own moral failings. Throughout, the track oscillates between various riffs, textures, decibels, speeds, screams, and rhythms to create a hypnotic, fragmented, yet compelling and energetic soundscape.

Stone Vultures is out via Cruel Nature Records on August 15th

Music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ATqnELKPWE

Vexations Online

https://www.instagram.com/vexations_uk/

https://www.facebook.com/vexationsedinburgh/

https://vexationsuk.bandcamp.com/album/demos

https://soundcloud.com/vexationsband

Cruel Nature Records

https://cruelnaturerecordings.bandcamp.com/