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11 UNAPOLOGETICALLY VULTUROUS SONGS ABOUT VULTURES [Photo Credits: Atlantic, ATO, Because Music, Brent Faulkner, Flightless, Lil Durk, Metal Blade, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Republic, SHARPTONE, Sumerian, UNFD, Universal Music Ireland Ltd.]ā€œ11 Unapologetically Vulturous Songs About Vulturesā€ features songs by Cattle Decapitation, Haelstorm, Kodak Black & Of Monsters and Men.

ā€œHow did they find me here? What do they want from me? / All of these vultures hiding right outside my door.ā€ Thatā€™s an excellent question John Mayer ā€“ ā€œVulturesā€ (Continuum, 2006) are definitely ā€˜something else.ā€™ For Dayseeker, their song, also titled ā€œVultures,ā€ goes deeper, via Alternative Press; Ā itā€™s composed about a friend of the band who was victim of sexual assault. ā€œThe vultures came and picked and pulled apart / The hell thatā€™s in her head / From wishing you were dead.ā€ Thatā€™s chilling.

Honestly, both of the aforementioned songs couldā€™ve easily appeared on the playlist at hand, 11 UNAPOLOGETICALLY VULTUROUS SONGS ABOUT VULTURES.Ā  There are many more written about those scavenger birds that donā€™t even get the small recognition John Mayer or Dayseeker do. That said, 11 UNAPOLOGETICALLY VULTUROUS SONGS ABOUT VULTURES features some awesome music courtesy of Cattle Decapitation (ā€œVulturousā€), Haelstorm (ā€œBlack Vulturesā€), Kodak Black (ā€œWhen Vultures Cryā€), and Of Monsters and Men (ā€œVulture, Vultureā€) among others.Ā  Without further ado, letā€™s dig into this most vulturous playlist!


1. Cattle Decapitation, ā€œVulturousā€

Death Atlas ā€¢ Metal Blade ā€¢ 2019

Cattle Decapitation, Death Atlas [Photo Credit: Metal Blade]There is one thing is for sure ā€“ death/extreme metal band Cattle Decapitation has a distinct, totally unforgettable name.Ā  Maybe the best way to characterize the name is as disturbing. Regardless, Travis Ryan and company back up the name with an intriguing brand of music that certainly isnā€™t for the faint of heart.Ā  A few of song titles that stand out from the collective: ā€œGestation of Smegmaā€, ā€œCarnal Fecophelia Due to Prolonged Exposure to Methaneā€, and ā€œColonic Villus Biopsy Performed on the Gastro-Intestinally Incapableā€. Following a four-year hiatus, the Cattle Decapitation returns turned-up on their ninth studio album, Death Atlas.

Death Atlas explores the Anthropocene, the most recent geological time period.Ā  This particular period is one is highly influenced by humans. Cattle Decapitation certainly are pessimistic regarding it. The fourth track from the album, ā€œVulturous,ā€ continues the dark, deadly trajectory of the project.Ā  Expectedly, ā€œVulturousā€ references vultures:

ā€œThe carcass beckons to the buzzards
Entitled to its pound of flesh.ā€

Of course, thatā€™s only an excerpt of the damnation Cattle Decapitation unleashes on the listener. If nothing else, Death Atlas is poetic, even if itā€™s in a dark sort of way.Ā  Case in point: ā€œPresent-day predators now electing generations to die / Extermination defined.ā€ Like the tracks that precede it, ā€œVulturousā€ is quite compelling, in a twisted sort of way.


2. Of Monsters and Men, ā€œVulture, Vultureā€

FEVER DREAM ā€¢ Republic ā€¢Ā 2019

Of Monsters and Men, Fever Dream [Photo Credit: Republic]ā€œHe feeds on my ego / He swallows my pain / So, figure it out, figure it out / Stay away.ā€Ā Fever Dream (2019) marked the third studio album by Icelandic collective, Of Monsters and Men. On the song at hand, ā€œVulture, Vulture,ā€ Ragnar PĆ³rhallsson and Nana BryndĆ­s HilmarsdĆ³ttir handle vocal duties. PĆ³rhallsson handles the lead vocals on the first verse and pre-chorus, with HilmarsdĆ³ttir playing a supporting role.Ā  The first verse is where the aforementioned lyrics hail.

On the pre-chorus, PĆ³rhallsson sings:

ā€œItā€™s hard for me to breathe
When all I do is feel so heartless
Am I heartless?ā€

As for HilmarsdĆ³ttir, she takes on a larger role on the chorus, as well as the second verse.Ā  On the chorus, with PĆ³rhallsson also contributing, she sings:

ā€œCan I keep it up?
Still got that feeling
I donā€™t know about these heavy hands, well maybe
They can pull me up
Still got that feeling
I donā€™t know about these heavy hands
ā€˜Cause lately, I feel like a desert island, oh, oh.ā€

In regard to sound, ā€œVulture, Vultureā€ is a sound blend of driving rhythms, energy, and warmth.Ā  The production is incredibly sleek, with pop sensibilities written all over it.Ā  Many others have written about the three-minute gem from Fever Dream. Briana Strader of IINAG (Indie is Not a Genre) wrote, ā€œThe song jumps to an energetic start, carrying the albumā€™s central theme of being lost in reality through the beautiful harmonies created by HilmarsdĆ³ttir and ĆžĆ³rhallsson.ā€ In her album review of FEVER DREAM, Hannah Mylrea of NME characterizes the record as ā€œa stonking chunk of festival popā€.Ā  Interesting, vultures are never explicitly mentioned.


3. Northlane, ā€œVulturesā€

Alien ā€¢ UNFD ā€¢ 2019

Northlane, Alien [Photo Credit: UNFD]ā€œI feel their claws sinking in / As the life spirals out from my inner self / Let the earth where I carved my name burn.ā€ Damn, those are some dark, dramatic lyrics Northlane!Ā  If you are unfamiliar with Northlane, they are a metalcore collective from Down Under ā€“ Sydney, Australia. Ā The band is comprised of Marcus Bridge (vocals), Jonathon Dailey (guitar), Josh Smith (guitar), Nic Pettersen (drums), and Brendon Padjasek (bass). ā€œVultures,ā€ the song at hand, appears as the penultimate track on the collectiveā€™s third studio album, Alien (2019). Given the vulturous nature of this playlist, ā€œVulturesā€ is a match made in heavenā€¦ or hellā€¦ yeah, something like that.

The aforementioned lyrics on this dark, energetic cut hail from the bridge.Ā  While vultures arenā€™t explicitly mentioned there, the chorus, which appears at the onset, references those filthy buzzards explicitly! ā€œWhere do I go / If every turn thereā€™s a vulture waiting,ā€ vocalist Bridge sings, continuing, ā€œTo pick at my bones / And bury me alive.ā€ Ā Otherwise, on this heavy, angst-filled joint (just listen to Bridgeā€™s coarse, shouted vocals), the impact of the vultures is more metaphorical. The protagonist clearly has a lot on his mind, capped off with a ā€œMe against the worldā€ mentality.


4. Fangclub, ā€œVulture Cultureā€

Vulture Culture ā€¢ Universal Music Ireland Ltd. ā€¢Ā 2019

Fangclub, Vulture Culture [Photo Credit: Universal Music Ireland Ltd]ā€œWe live and die in a vulture culture / We crucify anyone we hunger / Gemini and a broken brother / We live and die, my friend.ā€Ā  Anything associated with vultures tends to have a negative connotation. Irish garage rock band Fangclub highlight the negative connotation on ā€œVulture Culture,ā€ the second track off from their 2019 album of the same name. That said, it should also be noted that vulture culture has a couple of different meanings, whether itā€™s an odd hobby of sorts, or more metaphorical. Before diving into that vulture culture, in the event youā€™re unfamiliar with the Dublin collective, NME describes them as ā€œA fully formed thrash pop monster; melodic, frenzied, and phenomenal.ā€ Fangclub is comprised of Steven King, Kevin Keane, and Dara Coleman.

Moving beyond the band, letā€™s get back to vulturous things, shall we? Throughout this bouncy, catchy number, Fangclub highlight just how bad we ā€“ humans ā€“ are.Ā  We are cruel, greedy, and ultimately, vulturous. ā€œSo self-centered, never in vain / Can I be king of the castle if Iā€™m out of the gate?ā€ is a prime example of greed and selfishness the first verse.Ā  One of the best written lyrics arrive on the bridge, a product of being horrible humans:

ā€œWell, I guess I made my bed
Now I gotta lie in it
Like a suicidal kiss
I got a guilty conscience.ā€


5. Halestorm, ā€œBlack Vulturesā€

Vicious ā€¢ Atlantic ā€¢ 2018

Halestorm, Vicious [šŸ“·: Atlantic]ā€œI donā€™t give in, I donā€™t give up / I wonā€™t ever let it break me / Iā€™m on fire, Iā€™m a fighter / Iā€™ll forever be the last one standingā€¦ā€ Sigh, maybe vultures are misunderstood.Ā  Then again, maybe they arenā€™t.Ā  Regardless, Iā€™ll never forget seeing a black vulture arrive at my next-door neighborā€™s home ā€“ it was unsettling.Ā  If nothing else, the black vulture certainly was a sight to behold ā€“ one impossible to go unnoticed.Ā  Surely, if there had been several ā€œBlack vultures circling the skyā€ as Lzzy Hale sings on ā€œBlack Vulturesā€ from the 2018 Halestorm album, Vicious, everyone would have taken notice.

As expected, Lzzy Hale gives her all on ā€œBlack Vultures,ā€ the high-flying album opener. This is a potent, hard-rocking record, chocked-full of drive and rhythm. Even so, ā€œBlack Vulturesā€ is tamer on the verses, and even the pre-chorus, before letting loose on the chorus, partially excerpted above, and continued below:

ā€œBlack vultures circling the sky
Pick at the pieces
Scavengers wait for me to die
But Iā€™m not defeated.ā€

Examine the final half the chorus, and vultures once more get an evil, negative connotation ā€“ poor birds. Ā That said, despite the fact that the buzzards are waiting to feast, according Hale, sheā€™s ā€œnot defeated.ā€ There is evidence from throughout the song to support this determined, uplifting spirit.Ā  At the end of the first verse, she asserts, ā€œIā€™ve been a survivor since I began to crawl.ā€ At the end of the second, she is ā€œThe eye of the storm,ā€ and she asserts, ā€œYou havenā€™t seen the last of me just yet.ā€


6. Kodak Black, ā€œWhen Vultures Cryā€

Heart Break Kodak (HBK) ā€¢ Atlantic ā€¢ 2018

Kodak Black, Heart Break Kodak (HBK) [Photo Credit: Atlantic]ā€œThis is what it sound like / Look what it sound like when a vulture cryā€¦ā€ Vultures cry? Thatā€™s not a common occurrence, or even a realistic one, right? Right.Ā  Kodak Black characterizes himself as a vulture on ā€œWhen Vultures Cry,ā€ the penultimate record from his 2018 album, Heart Break Kodak. Of course, Kodak Black is known for the hit ā€œTunnel Vision,ā€ not to mention being controversial and quite polarizing.Ā  Interestingly, Black doesnā€™t actually cry ā€“ he attempts to, but also has coping mechanisms.

The chorus, excerpted at the jump, continues as follows:

ā€œBooted up, Iā€™m high, booted up out my mind
Iā€™m booted up out my mind
This is what it sound like when a vulture cryā€¦
This is what it sound like when I try to cry
I be tryinā€™ to cry
When my niggas died, I was tryinā€™ to cry
When my niggas died, I couldnā€™t even watch you cry.ā€

Different perspective, thatā€™s for sure! Beyond the chorus, Kodak Black has even more to add, such as, ā€œThese niggas want me in the box like Iā€™m Pacquiao.ā€ Throughout the course of one long verse, Kodak Black offers up his ā€˜vulture cry.ā€™Ā  This cry is comprised of the rapperā€™s humble beginnings, hustling, and ultimately, coming up.Ā  Through the adversity, Black often experienced a degree of sadness, especially doing whatever he had to in order to survive.Ā  Essentially, in his role as a vulture, he had to do some bad things in the process.Ā  Despite the fact that vultures are viewed negatively, the rapper attempts to paint a perspective that helps you at least sympathize with such a creature.


7. Lil Durk, ā€œ1 (773) Vultureā€

Just Cause Yā€™all Waited ā€¢ Lil Durk ā€¢Ā 2018

Lil Durk, Just Cause Yā€™all Waited [Photo Credit: Lil Durk]Remixes are a common occurrence, particularly when a song is a hit.Ā  Arguably, the Grammy-nominated Logic hit, ā€œ1-800-273-8255ā€ didnā€™t require a remix.Ā  I mean, the original found the Maryland rapper collaborating with Alessia Cara and Khalid, while the message was positive, focusing on suicide prevention.Ā  Adding an meaningful, additional layer, the music video for ā€œ1-800-273-8255ā€ tackled a demographic where suicide runs rampant ā€“ LGBTQ+ youth. Of course, rapper Lil Durk couldnā€™t leave well enough alone and he opted to remix ā€œ1-800ā€ as ā€œ1 (773) Vulture.ā€Ā  This might not be a problem if Durk had a positive message that complemented suicide prevention ā€“ he doesnā€™t.

ā€œ1 (773) Vultureā€ definitely paints Lil Durk as a vulture, and we know that those are some negative-ass birds! Instead of preaching a sermon of living, Durk asserts, ā€œItā€™s gonā€™ be a homicide / Itā€™s gonā€™ be a homicide / fuck with Durk and they dyinā€™ today (Facts) / They told me they sick and tired / They donā€™t want to die today.ā€ Hmm.Ā  Of course, thatā€™s only the chorus.Ā  On the verse, Durk ā€˜talks to the trenchesā€™ to quote his tweet clarifying the fact that he meant ā€˜No disrespect to the suicide people.ā€™ Iā€™d say fair enough, but ā€œKills his ass in the streets, we hope they donā€™t charge usā€ is a far cry from ā€œI just wanna be alive.ā€


8. Lido, ā€œVulturesā€

I O U 2 ā€¢ Because Music ā€¢ 2018

Lido, I O U 2 [Photo Credit: Because Music]ā€œI never meant to love you / I never meant to make you feel the same as me / I never meant to love you / But you should know, know that I will be ready / When you call your vultures, yeah.ā€ Interesting Lido, very interesting.Ā  If you are once again unfamiliar with an artist on this playlist, Lido is a Norwegian music producer and singer.Ā  He joins this fine-feathered list of vulture songs with his own ā€œVultures,ā€ which appears on his 15-minute, 2018 EP, I O U 2.

ā€œVulturesā€ in the hands of Lido features some of the sleekest, most dynamic production of any of the songs appearing on this vulturous playlist.Ā  The synths pop, the drums anchor, while Lidoā€™s vocals manage to pack a punch with a degree of subtlety ā€“ there is no need for gospel histrionics. As intriguing as the sound and vibes of this record are, the lyrics are pretty epic.Ā  Besides the aforementioned chorus, the second verse is quite well-written, as Lido invites the vultures to ravage his body essentially:

ā€œWelcome to my body
My legs tired and my bones itch for some darkness
Feed me ā€˜till Iā€™m heartless
I will go bad, bad, bad, as I need to be for the garbage
Sweet release of piranhas to the carcass
Oh, stupid artists
Bet you bussing tables or cussing labels out.ā€

9. Asking Alexandria, ā€œVulturesā€

Asking Alexandria ā€¢ Sumerian ā€¢Ā 2017

Asking Alexandria, Asking Alexandria [Photo Credit: Sumerian]ā€œWhere to turn / Everywhere I look, these vultures burn / The life right outta me, do I run / Or lay down and die? Is it time to close my eyes?ā€Ā  Hmm, there are some serious considerations there Asking Alexandria, sigh.Ā  Like most of the songs on this list, vultures are absolutely horrible. Ā On ā€œVultures,ā€ the eighth track on the bandā€™s 2017, self-titled album, Danny Wosnop plays the role of the scavenged ā€“ the carcass if you will: ā€œKill me numb, Iā€™ll follow direction / A pawn to pass around and be bled until Iā€™m dry.ā€

Shifting to the music, ā€œVulturesā€ commences with rhythmic acoustic guitars. Danny Wosnop delivers commanding, expressive lead vocals ā€“ perfect for this theme.Ā  Asking Alexandria showcases a strong sense of musicality on ā€œVultures.ā€ Sure, the record possesses heaviness, yet it is tastefully executed. The second verse becomes more robust, with background vocals joining on the second chorus.Ā  The bridge section is a change of pace, pulling back, growing more enigmatic initially, before the vocals dig in even more.Ā  Guitarist Ben Bruce provided Rock Sound Magazine some insight into the record:

ā€¦It spirals from the drugs and the alcohol and the industry constantly telling us to stay relevant and not have time off because thereā€™s a band right behind youā€¦ Itā€™s about everyone in suits behind the scenes pulling the strings. It addresses the inner struggle that we faced. Itā€™s a sad song. Itā€™s very raw and itā€™s very honest and itā€™s very open.

10. We Came as Romans, ā€œVultures with Clipped Wingsā€

Cold Like War ā€¢Ā SHARPTONE ā€¢Ā 2017

We Came as Romans, Cold Like War [Photo Credit: SHARPTONE]ā€œIā€™ve caught every vulture / Iā€™ve clipped every wing / Iā€™ve caught every vulture / Starve, you wonā€™t feed on these dreams again.ā€ Ah, thereā€™s so much to unpack here from David Stephens and post-hardcore band We Came as Romans.Ā  Stephens handles most of the vocals on ā€œVultures with Clipped Wings,ā€ which serves as the opener of the bandā€™s 2017 album, Cold Like War.Ā  Deceased vocalist Kyle Pavone also appears in select parts.Ā  This particular album arrived nearly a year in advance of Pavoneā€™s shocking death from an accidental overdose. Ā With sufficient background provided, letā€™s explore the this vulturous song itself.

Following a dark, enigmatic intro, ā€œVultures with Clipped Wingsā€ arrives as angst-filled and heavy as they come.Ā  The guitar riffs are jagged, the drums pummel, and the vocals exemplify pain. How so? Well, they take on a chanted, shouted approach that eschews melody more often than not.Ā  Itā€™s safe to say, vultures get an even less likable perception, considering those ā€œclipped wings.ā€

ā€œI never found peace, but now Iā€™m fighting a war
All the vicious and greedy
Left me behind and confused
My illusions so grand
But my reality skewed.ā€

Honestly, ā€œVultures with Clipped Wingsā€ checks off the expected, vulturous boxes.Ā  Essentially, as Stephens suffers, the vultures thrive ā€“ ā€œThey use my effort to feed / They sleep while I bleed.ā€ Ā That said, thereā€™s an element of rebirth ā€“ atonement perhaps? Kyle Pavone sings, ā€œThis is an end, so Iā€™m starting again / To return to form /ā€¦ Reborn.ā€


11.King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, ā€œPeople-Vulturesā€

Nonagon Infinity ā€¢ Flightless / ATO ā€¢Ā 2016

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Nonagon Infinity [Photo Credits: Flightless / ATO]ā€œPeople-vultures, God approaches / Final hearing / What else have I got left to spew down?ā€ King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard conclude this vulturous playlist with ā€œPeople-Vultures.ā€ While many of the songs on this list are less focused on literal vultures and being metaphorical, ā€œPeople-Vulturesā€ is even more direct in its message.Ā  This isnā€™t about birds, but how utterly terrible people themselves can be.Ā  ā€œPeople-Vulturesā€ appears as the fourth track on the Australian bandā€™s 2016 album, Nonagon Infinity.

Ā The energy is lofty throughout this five-minute joint.Ā  Itā€™s a jagged, rhythmic record that doesnā€™t let-up.Ā  Lyrically, itā€™s rather spare, with many of the lyrics composed in similar fashion to the aforementioned lyrics from the chorus.Ā  On the second verse, for example, the lyrics read, ā€œPeople-vultures waiting to begin / Deadly ulcers feeding on my skin.ā€ Skipping to the third verse, the titular lyric remains the catalyst: ā€œPeople-vultures crowding at my door / Parasites are eating more and more.ā€ Again, using that poor scavenger as its inspiration, the listener gets a clear picture of how bad humans are.Ā  My, my my.


11 UNAPOLOGETICALLY VULTUROUS SONGS ABOUT VULTURES [Photo Credits: Atlantic, ATO, Because Music, Brent Faulkner, Flightless, Lil Durk, Metal Blade, The Musical Hype, Pixabay, Republic, SHARPTONE, Sumerian, UNFD, Universal Music Ireland Ltd.]

 

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the musical hype

the musical hype aka Brent Faulkner has earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in music (music Education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and a freelance music journalist. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.

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