Track By Tracks: Among Vultures - Purged (2026)

There are records that fill every inch of space. Others carve it out. With Purged, Among Vultures firmly belongs to the latter. Just two tracks, yet enough substance to sketch a landscape where violence is never gratuitous—it becomes a language, a way of inhabiting a world whose foundations seem to have long since collapsed.

Marking the band's first release since welcoming new vocalist Benji at the beginning of the year, Purged also signals a new chapter. His raw, commanding performance fits naturally into Among Vultures' sonic identity, adding a renewed sense of urgency without disrupting the band's established chemistry.

"Purged" erupts like a restrained detonation. Its opening moments build a quiet unease before jagged, dissonant guitars tear through the silence. Rather than relying on relentless speed, the band carefully balances explosive bursts with crushing slowdowns, giving as much weight to silence as to impact. Hardcore's immediacy collides with the bleak atmosphere of contemporary black metal, creating a suffocating tension where anger feels focused rather than chaotic. The result is less an outburst than a calculated release of pressure, making the track all the more unsettling.

"White Noise" shifts the dynamic without sacrificing intensity. More immediate and confrontational, it thrives on razor-sharp riffing and a restless rhythmic drive that refuses to let up. Beneath that directness lies meticulous songwriting: layers of guitars intertwine, rhythmic detours keep the momentum unpredictable, and Benji's voice—more torn from the chest than merely shouted—cuts through the mix like an inner monologue struggling against an overwhelming flood of static. Where many bands settle for sheer force, Among Vultures chooses to build lasting tension, allowing the music to linger long after it ends.

What stands out most is the EP's cohesion. Across just two songs, the band avoids both genre conventions and technical showmanship. Every musical choice serves the same purpose: transforming brutality into atmosphere and chaos into narrative. The influences are unmistakable, yet they never overshadow a musical identity that now feels fully realized.

Purged offers no easy answers, and that's precisely its strength. It leaves behind a lingering resonance, like a persistent hum that refuses to disappear once the final note has faded. In just two tracks, Among Vultures proves that lasting impact doesn't require excess—only conviction.

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