The Best Band In Vermont Is Vaporizer
Back in August 2014 we asked you to help us find the best unsigned bands in America. After listening to hundreds of submissions and coming up with clever puns for each one of them, we finally narrowed down our pick for the state where you’ll never find a bed & breakfast empty. The best band in Vermont is Vaporizer.
Hailing from Burlington, VT, Vaporizer is a metal band comprised of several of my children. Don’t believe me? It says so on their DNA test Facebook page. When I say “metal”, I do it mostly out of my inability to categorize them any further. While the core element of Vaporizer’s sound bears a much welcome resemblance to the progressive sludge bands from Savannah, Georgia, there is enough seasoning here to turn their self-titled release into an unique platter.
Most notably, their choice in vocal delivery is what instantly sets them apart. The alternance between higher-pitched shrieks and low frequency gargles makes me believe that this band is fronted by a goblin and its giant troll buddy. A couple teaspoons of melodic death metal here and there help balance the flavor.
The riffage in all of their songs is of undeniable quality, as is the guitar tone that channels both mid-era Mastodon and early Baroness. “The Great Hunter”, for instance, takes me right back to Baroness’ EPs First and Second. “Renegade Mage” has a great, memorable melody. “Blood Oak”, my personal favorite, is a compelling piece that showcases the incredible songwriting potential this young band has.
See what other supporters had to say:
W: “Horn of the Narwhal” makes me want to strip down naked, smear myself in swamp mud, and go on a mammath hunt using a spear crafted from the bones of Mastodon’s metal past. This is a good thing.
Spear: Based on Vaporizer’s name and aesthetic, I was expecting something slow, heavily down-tuned, and gurgly. Instead, I got something that sounds like Amon Amarth decided to try their hand at doom. It’s surprisingly upbeat and headbangable, and I’m totally okay with that.
Lacertilian: Get vaped.
Honorable Mentions:
Chalice: Trad metal with unusual female vocals.
Abaddon: Black/death metal with vox taken from anti-pecuary documentary.
The Toilet ov Hell is on an absurd quest to find the best unsigned band in each state of this glorious union. The purpose? To shine the spotlight on bands that deserve more exposure. Also, we’re going to determine once and for all the greatest state in the nation. Each state winner is decided by a collection of 25 judges. After we’ve announced the winner of each state, we’re gonna throw them all in a winner-take-all bracket and leave the votes up to you. Who will be the best unsigned band in the United States? Which state is superior? We can’t wait to find out.
Previous winners:
Alabama — Phylum
Alaska — Terraform
Arizona – Take Over And Destroy
Arkansas – Torii
California – Destroy Judas
Colorado – The Sleer
Connecticut – Autumn’s Eyes
Delaware – Sloss
Florida – Capracide
Georgia – Lost Hours
Hawaii – Darkest Path
Idaho – Rotten Hand
Illinois – Deus Ex
Indiana – Thorr-Axe
Iowa – Blizzard at Sea
Kansas – Bummer
Kentucky – Ad Infinitum
Louisiana – Withering Light
Maine – Sylvia
Maryland – Bereave
Massachusetts – Scaphism
Michigan – Blackgate
Minnesota – Noble Beast
Mississippi – Jared Moran (Yzordderrex/Uzumaki)
Missouri – Existem
Montana – Martriden
Nebraska – Borealis
Nevada – Elephant Rifle
New Hampshire – Eerie
New Jersey – Black Table
New Mexico – Void Ritual
New York – HUSH.
North Carolina – The Seduction
North Dakota – Gorgatron
Ohio – Prize the Doubt
Oklahoma – Cottonmouth
Oregon – Drouth
Pennsylvania – Burden
Rhode Island – Eternal Khan
South Carolina – Solaire
South Dakota – Jelly Nutz Justoner
Tennessee – Forest of Tygers
Texas – Peasant
Utah – Disforia
