Children Of Our Mistakes, Vayden

Post-grunge rock is seemingly making a comeback and Vayden is one of those artists who is attempting to help with this phenomenon with their album Children Of Our Mistakes. This disc starts off with the title track of the album as it flirts with hints of strings accompanied by heavy guitar licks, blues-inspired bass and tons of snares followed by a raspy screech on vocals. It’s not a bad rock track as it has that highly aggressive attitude that most groups want.

Vayden gets politically active on “Uniforms” as it sends a blunt message of anti-establishment, socially-active hard rock that groups like System Of A Down, Rage Against The Machine or Tool would observe, but with the intricate power chords of a glam metal group and vocals coming out of the areana rock realm. The choral refrains of children singing near the bridge was a nice touch as the bass and drum breaks pummel you alongside an echoed lyrical style. “Karma Is A Professional Wrestler” breaks it down a notch as it’s smoother and has down tempo rhythms then kicks you in the face with tons of attitude. It’s not gloomy, but has that melancholic scale reminiscent of many mid-‘90s alternative rock acts that followed the same tones of progressing grunge rock with heavy music.

“Elysium” just continued the head banging, but unlike the previous tracks has some punk influence meshed deeply into its fret patterns and lyrical presence. But it still was in-your-face rock an roll fury giving us nothing but straight up heaviness. They progress further into new depths on “Fallen” as it’s softer and more alluring in its timber. The vocal patterns are soothing while the rhythm section breaks down into mellower tones creating a laid-back enthusiasm. Vayden yet again goes to the socio-political route on “Anthem Of The Used” as they speak volumes of topical material on our culture and its wavering actions on the world. It’s not as soft as the previous song, but adds smoother vocals, harsher guitars and gritty bass lines making this perhaps one of the nicest cuts on the other side of the track listing.

“Painted Face” gets inwardly angry with its brooding ambiance, wicked guitar licks and a sorrowful refrain. They return to a lighter fare on “Paradise” as it’s whimsical in its nature as it has great scheme, colorful bass grooves and ties it all up with tons of melody. It’s that feel good rock anthem needed for an album like this. Vayden ends this release with a surprising tear-filling ballad on “Zoe’s Song.” Children Of Our Mistakes may perhaps place Vayden right onto the mainstream map of hard rock filling in the gaps much needed today in this genre.