PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
The Past
VARDIS were forged out of Glam, Punk, Heavy Metal, Blues and Rock ‘n’ Roll in the crucible of 1970s northern England. They are a product of rock music across three generations: inspired by the great Rockers and electric bluesmen of the 50s and 60s, learning their trade rubbing shoulders with the young guns of Hard Rock and Punk in the 70s, and achieving prominence in the 80s as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The hard, ferocious attack of their sound directly influenced the development of thrash and speed metal across North America and Europe, cited by metal giants such as Metallica and Megadeth. Never losing sight of the melodic, boogie sensibilities of their earliest influences, the Vardis brand of Hard Rock retains a unique heavy groove, and has endured as truly original.
The Future
In March 2014, Steve Zodiac began remastering the Vigilante album, and to coincide with the re-release on Hoplite Records, Vardis reunited to headline Brofest II in England, going on to perform at festivals in the UK and Germany before an emotional homecoming show at Unity Hall, Wakefield, where it all began. After the warm reception of fans at the reunion shows, Zodiac and bassist Terry Horbury not only felt at the top of their game, but that they had more gears to hit, and so decided to continue. Recruiting the dynamic powerhouse drummer Joe Clancy, who had spent the previous ten years in Iron Maiden’s Adrian Smith’s side project Blues Band, Vardis set to work on their first new material in nearly 30 years.
Founder Steve Zodiac: “Reuniting after a 30 year hiatus was a leap in the dark, but the response has been tremendous. Terry, Joe and I have hit upon a creative chemistry that makes me as excited to be recording the 5th Vardis album today as I was cutting our first demos in ’76.
The cover art was painted by acclaimed artist Graham Humphreys, who has previously produced artwork for Hammer Studios and posters for Nightmare on Elm Street, Basket Case and The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II.
After the tragic death of bass player Terry Horbury last year, the band recuited Martin Connolly (ex- Rick Wakeman, Paul Fox, Entire Population of Hackney) and played their first successful show with the new line up at this years’ Up The Hammers Festival in Greece.
Steve Zodiac comments: “We are very lucky to be able to welcome Martin Connolly to the band. Despite knowing Vardis would continue, after losing Terry so suddenly it took some time before we could consider playing with another bassist. By the time we were ready, the job required someone with the musicianship and experience not only to maintain the power of our live shows but to form a tight chemistry quickly. After just one rehearsal we knew we wouldn’t need to see anyone else, Martin is a top bassist and has brought a new dimension and fresh energy to Vardis as we rebuild to get the show back on the road this year. Thank you all for your support and patience, we are proud to rock on with you in tribute to a man whose life was music.”
The new album “Red Eye” will be released on May 20th, 2016 as a digipak version (incl. 2 bonus tracks + poster), LP version in red vinyl and download (iTunes exclusive contains 2 bonus tracks).
Track Listing:
1. Red Eye 4:08
2. Paranoia Strikes 3:36
3. I Need You Now 3:26
4. The Knowledge 4:24
5. Lightning Man 3:33
6. Back To School 3:36
7. Jolly Roger 5:15
8. Head of the Nail 4:22
9. Hold Me 4:59
10. 200 M.P.H. 7:47
DIGI PAK BONUS TRACKS
11. Living Out Of Touch 3:31
12. 200 M.P.H. (Reprise) 3:38
VARDIS live 2016
09.04.NL-Tilburg – Little Devil (sold out)
10.04.B-Roeselare – Verlichte Geest
12.05.E-Ibiza – Hard Rock Hell Road Trip
03.06.SE-Alvesta – Muskelrock
26.06.GB-Biggar – Wildfire Festival
30.07.D-Brande/Hörnerkirchen – Headbangers Open Air
17.09.I-Villa Rosa – Heavy Metal Night 9
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