Today VEXED have announced their sophomore record, Negative Energy, which is set to release this coming June. This comes after finishing up recording with Meyrick De La Fuente in February, with the Exist Immortal vocalist also producing, mixing and mastering the album. The announcement comes with brand new single “Anti-Fetish“, which gives listeners a preview into an evolved VEXED, with intense vocals and riffs for days.
VEXED speaking on the single said, “We wanted to start with a huge riff and a strong message. ‘Anti-Fetish’ is us confronting the constant comparisons and ungrounded hate that bands receive. It’s become completely accepted in the scene to cross the line of constructive criticism and just dive bomb into hatred and prejudice. This song is us setting the record straight by calling out the blatant discrimination.”
Negative Energy follows on from VEXED’s debut recording, Culling Culture, which released little under just two years ago in May of 2021. Receiving high-praise upon release with tracks such as “Hideous“, “Fake” and “Aurora” capturing listeners with their blend of vein-popping breakdowns and moments of heartfelt vulnerability. During the Culling Culture era, VEXED performed these songs while supporting the likes of In Flames and Spiritbox, as well as headlining the second-stage at last year’s Techfest.
One track that will catch the eye of many will be “Lay Down Your Flowers“, which features Lochie Keogh who is best known for his work as Alpha Wolf’s frontman. With the quartet being long time fans of Alpha Wolf, this will be the second they have seen a feature from an Australian group, with CJ Mcmahon of Thy Art is Murder featuring on 2019 track “Elite“.
Negative Energy is available in a “baby blue” variant to pre-order on the Napalm Records store, with the variant being the lone standing one currently available and will be limited to 300 copies.
Those looking to see VEXED perform “Anti-Fetish” and potentially other new songs, VEXED will be performing at the upcoming The Great Escape festival next month down in Brighton. Later this year will see a performance at Misery Loves Company down in Bristol, on September 30th. Other dates will be on the horizon so there will be ample opportunity to once again see one of UK’s best groups in a live setting.
Negative Energy will release on June 23rd via Napalm Records, and can be pre-ordered here. You can view the album’s artwork and tracklist below, and read our full review of Negative Energy closer to release.
TRACKLIST:
1. PTSD [01:37]
2. Anti-Fetish [03:57]
3. We don’t talk about it [03:27]
4. X my <3 (Hope to die) [03:57]
5. Panic attack [03:24]
6. Lay down your flowers (feat. Lochie Keogh of Alpha Wolf) [03:29]
7. There’s no place like home [03:06]
8. Extremist [03:01]
9. Default [03:15]
10. Trauma Euphoria [03:56]
11. It’s not the end [05:56]
12. DMT [02:01]
13. Nepotism [04:38]
