Wednesday, May 12th, 2021
Fast-rising UK based upstarts VEXED have been checking off boxes as the next big name in aggressive-yet-progressive modern metal, and have just released one of their most ruthless offerings yet: the gut-punching, absorbing third single “Misery”. The standout single is cut from the band’s upcoming album, Culling Culture, out May 21 via Napalm Records. “Anxiety is a demon powerful enough to posses anyone and can leave the strongest of us feeling helpless. “Misery” is an inner monologue of an anxiety riddled mind constantly overanalysing and catastrophising. Taking inspiration from a spectrum of genres, this track is a true musical representation of how drastically our thoughts can change from one moment to the next, often ending in confusion and “Misery”. Scott Nocon in a personal interview with Megan from Vexed.
What’s the message that you want to get out there in this song?
MEGAN: So the inspiration behind this was half and half, it was kind of between the situation that we find ourselves in the UK with the Coronavirus, and Brexit happening and all that crap. But it was mostly inspired by an individual who was a friend of the family for a very, very long time, and was very good at playing victim, very good at manipulating my family and using their looks. And they’re, I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a cow, but they were just very, very good at gaslighting my family and making them do whatever they wanted. When the reality was that they were actually just manipulating them and didn’t give a damn about what any of my family you know, were going through. So it was kind of like, when people become so used to being treated badly, so used to just negativity and, you know, sorry, I left my phone on silent. There we go. Yeah, so when, you know, people are just so used to being treated like crap that you just take it as normal. And this was kind of my way of being like, no, no, you don’t get to treat me and my family like that. And I see you for exactly what you are. You might be pretty on the outside, but on the inside, it’s not much going on in there.
“Epiphany” is a cutthroat track about falling victim to self- loathing. How was it crafted?
MEGAN: The lyrics and the writing were inspired by all the hate that I have had online, or just going to shows and being a person in the music industry and being a vocalist. It doesn’t matter how amazingly talented somebody can be, it doesn’t matter how amazingly attractive somebody can be, you’re always going to get somebody who hates you, and is going to make it their point to ruin your day, and for a long time it really did. I’ve really, really wanted to quit, and I didn’t want to do it anymore because I could not take it. And I don’t mean like people just being trolls and saying you’re batshit or I’m used. I’m used to that. But when people were sort of really pushing the knife in and saying some really disgusting, hurtful things about the way I look on a really deep level and my weight, and just, you know, comparing me in a really negative way to other women, I got to this point where I was like, I can’t take this anymore, and my mental health was at breaking point. I really wanted to quit the music industry completely. Then Luckily, the boys in the band are the most amazing men. They are my best friends and they’ve really taught me and 100% can I swear on this? They have told me to not give a single fuck what anybody thinks. And it is the most empowering thing. That’s where epiphany came from was that suddenly that feeling of oh, yeah, I actually don’t have to fucking care about what any of those people think. Because the only thing that matters in life is if I’m happy with me, and the people who I love and care about are happy with me. It really was that moment of just letting go of their bullshit. Yeah, it was a really, really good moment. And that’s where kind of the whole album is inspired from, just getting rid of all toxic people in your life, all toxic things, and just kind of focusing on yourself and making yourself better through it.
Fast-rising UK based upstarts VEXED have been checking off boxes as the next big name in aggressive-yet-progressive modern metal, and have just released one of their most ruthless offerings yet: the gut-punching, absorbing third single “Misery”. The standout single is cut from the band’s upcoming album, Culling Culture, out May 21 via Napalm Records.
On their third offering, the four-piece fluctuates between grooving, ethereal leads and destructive, airtight riffs, technically adept drumming and vocalist Megan Targett’s undeniably dynamic, haunting vocal power. As their new music video clearly refers to absolution via its striking visual content, the track’s lyrics reflect a reckoning with the past, mirroring the intensely personal themes of the upcoming album.
VEXED on the new single:
“Anxiety is a demon powerful enough to posses anyone and can leave the strongest of us feeling helpless. “Misery” is an inner monologue of an anxiety riddled mind constantly overanalysing and catastrophising. Taking inspiration from a spectrum of genres, this track is a true musical representation of how drastically our thoughts can change from one moment to the next, often ending in confusion and “Misery”.”
Read MORE in the new issue of TOTAL ORDER!
Coming May 11th
