V.V.M.

Reviews

Chien Flic / V.V.M. Tourist Complex split cassette

V.V.M. starts the Tourist Complex split on a very high note with their fast and loose hardcore with super fun genre-bending moments. Kickass riffs, super tight drumming, cutting basslines…it’s all there with its modern flair and old school attitude. And when we switch over to CHIEN FLICK’s side, they don’t fail to follow up at all with their unique take on the powerviolence sound with less angry and more expressive vocals. From complete chaos to more steady and straightforward composition, the band definitely stands out. All in all, I think this split is an amazing pairing of two likeminded and equally good bands that I won’t be getting tired of anytime soon.

V.V.M. Crucial Burger cassette

San Francisco fastcore thrasher outfit that exults fun in their execution, featuring members of VENKMAN, THESE BASTARDS, CONQUEST FOR DEATH and more. Resemblances to the classic and most acidic side of ’80s USHC, holding down histrionic, maddening cadences that approach the one-minute length while delivering great hardcore punk throughout the ten tracks, including blastbeats, breakdowns and even crazy space-like sounds that relieve the non-stop nature of their songs. Bay Area-infused and well-executed, it’s a delightful option for the fastcore aficionado’s cravings.

Merked / V.V.M. split cassette

This split release from MERKED and V.V.M. is a wild ride from start to finish. On the MERKED side, the Oakland-based three-piece brings their self-described “hardcore-influenced sludge-violence,” which is definitely music with a thick neck. The tunes and sound clips are a chaotic mix with screaming and croaking vocals delivered with production that makes it feel like you’re hearing this madness being played live in a large cement room. As for V.V.M., this San Francisco thrashcore four-piece brings the noise with a cowbell, and it’s some of the best shit I’ve heard this month. Tracks like “Fuck You, I Quit” and “I Used to Mosh” really hit a sweet spot in my middle-aged soul. Strong recommend for people who aren’t assholes.

V.V.M. Demo 2023 cassette

West Coast fastcore, mostly pretty standard fare. It’s fast and silly with goofy songs with subject matter like giving up your vegetarian ideals because there’s an In-N-Out Burger nearby. The unexpected thing about V.V.M. is the occasional melodic parts peppered into a few of their otherwise blisteringly fast songs. If we were to go based on the self-description on their Bandcamp page, it would seem the band thinks of these as being prog rock parts in their songs. To me, they just kinda sound like short skramz instrumental breaks before it’s back into the fastcore ripping. Who’s to say which of us is right? You be the judge. Five-song demo available online, an extra sixth song available only on the physical cassette.