Vended show the UK that they are here to stay

Vended are a band formed in 2018 by Griffin Taylor (vocals) and Cole Espeland (lead guitarist) during their early teenage years. The lineup also includes Simon Crahan (drums), Jeremiah Pugh (JJ) on bass and backing vocals, and Connor Grodzicki handling rhythm guitar along with backing vocals. With one EP under their belt, numerous singles and having toured across the UK previously, Vended were back drawing in crowds all over the UK.

Vended concluded their extensive European tour, which spanned several months, with a final performance in Reading, UK. Joining them were Aussie lads The Gloom In The Corner and Bristol trio Profiler.

Profiler steps onto the stage exuding Nirvana-esque energy, with frontman and guitarist Mike Evans sporting a bucket hat atop his blond surfer locks. Despite this grunge-inspired appearance, their music leans towards a heavier sound. They kick off with ‘Identify,’ featuring clean vocals that evoke a blend of Deftones and Loathe. The singing includes some smooth passages but steers clear of anything overly harsh.

When they play newer track ‘All In Forever’ there are some Linkin Park vibes there, as Evans switches between rap with singing, although he begins with a more intense growl than before. As the set progresses, the music seems to intensify gradually, reaching a peak of heaviness when they introduce their final song ‘Zero,‘ which is described by Profier as “super heavy.” Glancing around at the audience, you can see everyone’s hands raised high in appreciation of the track. On this scorching spring day, people are drenched in sweat, and the venue feels like an oven. Joining them for this last track was Mikey Arther from The Gloom In The Corner who were up next…

Arther has a distinct look featuring a shaved head and epic moustache. He welcomes the crowd in true Australian fashion saying “G’Day Reading, we are The Gloom In The Corner and we come from Australia!”. If anyone thought that the last band were heavy, they have just had their heads blown off by the chorus of Gloom’s opening track ‘New Order’. The clean vocals are mesmerising, the guitar riffs are progressive and inspirational, and the screams are just pure badass. The following tracks ‘Ronin’ and ‘Behemoth’ manage to take everything up a notch! How can anyone resist screaming “Hallowed be thy name” at that earth-shattering moment during ‘Behemoth’!? Crowd members are two-stepping at times, headbanging with hair flowing at other times, but every single person in the venue is moving.

‘Nor Hell a Fury’ is dedicated to all the women present, marking one of the most intense tributes I’ve ever seen for ladies. As the set draws to a close, we witness a wall of death forming and the largest mosh pit of the night (so far) coming alive!

As ‘Tainted Love’ pulses through the room, it’s abruptly overlaid by the intense riffs of ‘Nihilism,’ marking the beginning of Vended‘s performance. This track holds significant personal meaning for vocalist Griffin Taylor, who discussed its importance with RAMzine before the show.

“I want to see the filthiest pit I’ve ever seen in my f*cking life,” exclaims Taylor as they rip into ‘Am I the Only One’. The track is intense and rapid, showcasing that the band are masters at crafting an electrifying performance. From the synchronized headbanging of the guitarists to Taylor’s commanding stage presence and his engaging interaction with the audience, it’s evident they know exactly how to put on a phenomenal show.

It’s impossible to overlook the clickerty and deep bass, along with the vibrations that pulsate through the venue. These sounds contribute to the thrill in a way that might not be as impactful in a larger space; they literally make the entire room resonate with a downward swirling sound.

The mosh pits erupt during ‘Burn My Misery’. Vended introduced several new songs, including ‘Serenity’ and ‘Where the Honesty Lies,’ which might just be enough material for a new album. Time will tell. The audience keeps the energy high, not allowing Vended to rest even briefly between tracks. When they do pause, a spontaneous clapping starts, gradually building in speed. Taylor effortlessly rides this wave of enthusiasm by asking the crowd if they’re ready for more.

During ‘The Far Side,’ the masses of crowd surfers are out in full force, and some attendees are literally swinging from the ceiling (this is no exaggeration). This exemplifies the magic of a smaller concert; everyone is united, up close, and personal. The entire room is thrashing together.

“This is our last song for the last show, but I promise you we will be back!” says Taylor “All the psychopaths out there give us everything you got and we will do the same for you. This song is called ‘Asylum’.” The band look emotional at the end of this track, which sparks the crowd to chant for “one more song” but that would be all on this Sunday night.

Regardless of who the members of Vended are, it’s almost impossible to avoid drawing parallels to Slipknot in terms of their sound and appearance. Most people seem comfortable with this comparison. Yet, the band’s desire to distance themselves from Slipknot comparisons inspires us to support their journey towards finding a truly unique musical identity. As a young band with an impressive debut, they have enormous potential for growth. Fans are cheering for Vended regardless of the musical or stylistic direction they decide to pursue. The most important thing is that they deliver electrifying performances and are steadily cultivating a dedicated fanbase—and we can’t wait for more!