Our dear friends, Chicago based industrial rock/pop band, V Is For Villains have finally at long last announced a shipping date (approximate) for the presales of their upcoming "Steal The 80's"!
Update: Presales have been sent out!!
I was lucky and privileged enough to get to listen to it early, and oh man am I glad I did! Wow! I actually almost believe Mr.Agitator when he says that they went back in time and stole these hits before they were able to be released, because these songs sound like they were meant to be Villains songs. Dare I say that they are even better than the originals? Why yes, I think I do. I'm going to give some brief impressions on the album, without going into too much detail. I can't spoil the surprise!
In no particular order, I'm going to touch on a few of the tracks. The intro is absolutely gorgeous, and a perfect way to start off the album. I won't say what song it is, but I guarantee you'll be singing along to this absolutely beautifully done cover. It's so well done and just a total masterpiece.
I've heard many a cover of "Blue Monday", but this one really makes you wanna say "Uhhhh New Order, who?" This one blows all other versions, including the original, completely out of the water. Mr.Agitator's silky smooth vocals are absolutely perfectly paired with a great beat and some wonderfully done synth work and instrument parts. It just sounds so good. This is definitely my favorite part of the album.
"I Ran" has so many different layers in the sound. It's so complex and so cool. I had to listen to it a few times to get a good feel for it. It's almost chaotic, but only in the best of ways, almost like the original, but with a badass industrial edge to it. Mr.Agitator's vocals have just the right amount of echo on them to really emulate that 80's sound, but way cleaner. It's absolutely amazing.
The Villains cover of "Relax" is as badass and sexy as I would have hoped, but it even surprised me! Pretty sure that the tempo is faster than the original, which is definitely a good choice, as this is a band that makes you wanna get up and dance. I know I did during this album! The sound is also just a lot more full, and contains everything that I feel the original lacks.
Step aside Steven Tyler, Mr.Agitator is the new ruler of the 80's. Villains took one of the most painfully overplayed, and let's be honest, overrated, songs from the 80's, "Dream On", gave it a new breath of life, and made it even better. I knew Mr.Agitator had an incredible voice, but he threw me for a loop with how perfectly he can match Steven Tyler's vocals. That is a feat in itself, I've heard many people try and miserably fail, but our favorite top hatted badass totally nailed it.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. There's many more beloved 80's tunes that V Is For Villains has successfully gone back in time and stolen! There's so much more I want to say, but I won't. After you've all heard the album, maybe I'll go into some more detail. ~Gangis
If I've piqued your curiosity, here's a little taste I can offer you. Check out their cover of "You Spin Me Round" here https://youtu.be/wbjf-Elj9YA .
If you want to order a copy of this album, you can do so at this link. https://v-is-for-villains.square.site/product/v-is-for-villains-steal-the-80-s-volume-1/55?cs=true&cst=custom
Image Credit: Album cover for "Steal The 80's" By V Is For Villains. Villains Inc/Industrial Media Works.