Photo by @ras_visual
Some three years removed since the release of their debut EP, What is It?/ Kill It, Iowan firebrand Vended have confirmed their long-awaited full length debut.
Set to arrive September 20th, the statement of a self-titled release finds the band planting their flag in the landscape of contemporary metal. Equipped with a real piss and vinegar and a strong self-awareness, the volatile13-track manifesto is is Vended's testament to mayhem and their assertion that authenticity - when combined with aggression - makes for the most potent assault.
Finding a creative ally in producer Chris Collier, Vended tap into the kind of musical chaos that first turned heads upon the band's introduction - only now better refined. Having since notched several touring stints both home and abroad, the end result in becoming road dogs has vaulted Vended from blue chip prospects to established practitioners of their craft.
And while the band that made a name for themselves with a kind of metallic volatility begins their next chapter, it is their patience and restraint that seems worth noting. Rather than rush to market with something, anything to capitalize on the momentum of being the young guns on the big stage, Vended paced themselves, became the best version of themselves and ensured they would properly introduce themselves.
Set to resume their run as road dogs, Vended's itinerary is indicative of a band that functions well in any setting. From their own headlining club dates to arena plays supporting the likes of Slipknot and KORN, to festival stages including a fall appearance at Aftershock, Vended assert the kind of versatility and durability that can only come Des Moines.
Vended guitarist Cole Espeland offered some insight into the collective headspace of the band as they prepare to drop their full length debut. The guitarist explained that Vended prioritized building a culture around the band first.In the process of tallying thousands of tour miles and cutting their teeth live, Vended emerged stronger, harder and more than ready to make a lasting first impression.
Is it strange to be discussing your debut album considering you are now a seasoned, touring band with years under your belt now?
ESPELAND - It feels like the perfect time to give the world our first album; Our EP What is it // Kill it took us around the world multiple times. We’ve shown the world that first version of us and now it’s time for this album to show the next version.
Vended showed plenty of patience in terms of releasing your debut - what felt right about now to finally make this kind of a statement with a self-titled album?
ESPELAND - Part of the reason it took longer is because we wanted it to be done right, and we were focused on building a solid foundation and culture around Vended and what we stand for. Touring relentlessly allowed us to do that. Now feels like the perfect time to release this Album because we’ve spent time building the culture around us.
Assessing the first few previews from the album with tracks like “Nihilism”, “The Far Side” and “Am I the Only One” - there seems to be an “us versus them” mentality that underlines the album thus far. Do you feel like Vended exists as an outlier in heavy music?
ESPELAND - Vended doesn’t necessarily exist as an outlier in heavy music, but more as a group that embraces where we’ve come from - Iowa. Which gives us a very different perspective. However, we are a group that feels the "Us versus Them" mentality. You’re either with us or against us and many songs on this record make that clear.
With the benefit of hindsight, are you glad you waited to until now to pull the trigger on your debut? What were some of the important takeaways Vended got in cutting your teeth as a live band first - before putting your name on something like this?
ESPELAND - In hindsight waiting for this first record was the right choice, we’ve learned that playing live is one of the best ways to feel out what works and what doesn’t. It also allowed us to become much tighter as a band.
What was the determining factor for you in going with Chris Collier to produce this record? How did he help you achieve your true potential on the album?
ESPELAND - We recorded our songs “Ded to me” and “Overall” with Chris in the spring of 2022 and they came out raw and aggressive. He let us have full creative control and almost acted as a 6th member. We knew he would push us to make the best record possible and let us keep that old school feel at the same time. It was no question we were going to chose him do our first record.
In the last few years, the band has done an extensive amount of touring both domestically and internationally. How did connecting with fans in person and trekking with different kinds of bands impact you as songwriters?
ESPELAND - Traveling around the world gives you a perspective you can’t get anywhere else. You see all kinds of cultures and people different from yours that you had no idea existed. We’ve also gotten tons of advice handed down from bands we’ve met or toured with, that we’ve applied to songwriting.
What is missing from heavy music right now that Vended brings to the table? How does this album fit into the current landscape heavy music or does it not fit at all - intentionally.
ESPELAND - A huge part of heavy music that is missing right now is the authenticity. Our approach to music is completely old school, no click track, no drum sampling, all of us in the same room tracking together, nothings on a grid. It’s the same way all of our favorite records were made and we operate the same way. The album fills a void by being fully raw and transparent, you’re getting everything a band should be, an aggressive unedited recording of a band. What you hear live is exactly the same intensity you hear on the record.
Everyone has their own definition of success. What is the metric for success with this first full length album? How will you determine if this record is a success for you or not - or does that even matter?
ESPELAND - Success to us is determined by the amount of impact we can make on the world. If 1 kid is impacted or feels like they have somewhere to fit in because of what we do, that’s what we do it for. If we can create a culture and an impact we consider that a success.
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The self-titled full length debut from Vended lands September 20th, Pre-orders are available - HERE
Catch Vended live as the band hit the road for a run of dates that include headlining club plays, arena supporting dates with Slipknot and KORN and festival appearances at Rocklahoma and Aftershock.
See the complete list of tour dates for Vended below. Get tickets - HERE
VENDED Tour Dates
Sep 1 - Pryor, OK - Rocklahoma (FESTIVAL)
Sep 6 - Vancouver, BC - The Pearl
Sep 7 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre (w/SLIPKNOT & KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 8 - Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 11 - Nampa, ID - Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 13 - Inglewood, CA - Intuit Dome (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 14 - Inglewood, CA - Intuit Dome (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 15 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 17 - Austin, TX - Moody Center (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 18 - Dallas, TX - Dos Equis Pavilion (w/SLIPKNOT& KNOCKED LOOSE)
Sep 21 - Des Moines, IA - Knotfest (FESTIVAL)
Sep 22 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 23 - Detroit, MI - El Club (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 26 - New York, NY - Mercury Lounge (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 27 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 28 - Greenville, SC - Radio Room (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 29 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Altar) (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Sep 30 - Nashville, TN - The End (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 5 - Los Angeles, CA - BMO Stadium (w/KORN)
Oct 6 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 7 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 9 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Atrium (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 10 - Reno, NV - Cypress (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 11 - Sacramento, CA - Aftershock (FESTIVAL)
Oct 14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
Oct 16 - Denver, CO - Marquis (w/WRISTMEETRAZOR & LIE)
