Review / 200 Words Or Less
Vegas
Sagevisule

Last Anthem (2014) Jon E.

Vegas – Sagevisule cover artwork
Vegas – Sagevisule — Last Anthem, 2014

The ever elusive Vegas has returned. While the band have released a scant few songs in the years since their full-length those songs have shown them maitaining a sense of quality. After a lengty wait a new EP containing four songs arrives,  reflecting what Vegas is and where they may be heading.

The whole shebang begins with a dark riff sounding like something from a Siouxsie & The Banshees song before quickly breaking into a neck snapping riff. Couple this with buried echoing vocals and one gets the full darkened effect. Sound effects occupy the calmer areas giving a base degree of uncertainty to the listener before fading into the next rager. The songs while dark and brutal fit within the existing dynamics of the band. They use the echoing vocals to build depth in the overall sound without compromising any intensity.

All of this equals out to a great welcome back from Vegas. And it should be more than capable of enticing those who enjoy metalcore in the Integrity style and don't mind something slightly different than the norm.

8.2 / 10Jon E. • October 20, 2014

Vegas – Sagevisule cover artwork
Vegas – Sagevisule — Last Anthem, 2014

Related features

Vegas

Interviews • August 6, 2020

Vegas

Interviews • August 12, 2018

Related news

The return of Best Friends Forever in Vegas

Posted in Shows on March 11, 2025

Pure Noise 15th anniversary in Vegas

Posted in Shows on October 11, 2024

Mercy Music: Las Vegas pop-punk

Posted in Records on April 18, 2023

Recently-posted album reviews

Miller Lowlifes

Pinch Hitters
ADD Records (2025)

The debut album from Florida punk band Miller Lowlifes features a vintage baseball theme, best enjoyed with a can of cheap domestic beer in hand. The metaphor fits, as Pinch Hitters focuses on the American dream -- and where it stands in 2025. The vintage educational TV audio clips add to this past-meets-present theme. It's an album that's equally about … Read more

Art Brut

Sorry, That It Doesn't Sound Like It's Planned! Battling Satan, 2009 - 2020
Edsel Records (2025)

I’ve never reviewed a box set before but Art Brut released my favourite sprechgesang anti-art-punk album of the early aughts so I figured I’d give it a go. 2005’s Bang Bang Rock & Roll placed Art Brut among the “Art Wave” scene but was more post-punk revival than “Indie Sleaze”. Argos has cited Jonathan Richman and Axl Rose as his … Read more

The Slow Death

No Light To See
Don’t Sing Records (2025)

Few bands have as fitting a name as The Slow Death. They play forlorn, self-deprecating punk that’s heavily influenced by lonesome country. The music itself is more driving and punchy, but many of the lyrics would fit just well in a somber old-timey country ballad. It’s forceful music that punches inward instead of at The Man. The first song is … Read more