The Vigilance Committee - Exit A Hero (Self-Released)

The Vigilance Committee is a four-piece from Long Island, NY comprised of Peter J. Scoma (guitar), Christian Cepeda (guitar), Phil Corso (drums) and Jesse Asch (bass). Having released their debut LP Lost Again last year, they are back with their sophomore effort, Exit A Hero. The album is a visceral combination of punk and progressive rock, taking two genres that at one time were diametrically opposed to another in both ethics and style. But weirdly it works, sounding as if Television had more of an interest in King Crimson than the Ramones.

*Billy Corgan*-like vocals fly over top a maelstrom of complex, jazzy guitars at a breakneck speed. It’s as if what would take a progressive band twenty five minutes to accomplish is trimmed down to a three minute punk format on songs like “Taking What’s Mine,” and “Physics of Form.” Changes are brought upon abruptly, and it may feel like your head is spinning at times with what is going on, but after it’s over you just may want to find yourself playing it again and again. Given a chance, this album has the potential to stand out among the year’s most captivating records. Exit A Hero will be released April 25th, and it is definitely one to look out for.