VILIVANT – Running On Empty (2023)
Canadian hard rocker Julia Gentile, better known as VILIVANT, following a series of singles released over the course of 2022 is releasing today her first full length album titled “Running on Empty”. This is the project of Torornto based Julia Gentile, however VILIVANT should be considered a band right now.
Pulling inspiration from current female rock bands like Halestorm or Dorothy, Vilivant has created an album full of powerful vocals, badass guitar riffs and heavy drum beats. While staying true to the classic hard rock sound, Vilivant adds her own spin to the genre.
“In My Life”, a hard rocker with a melodic hint, opens the album with a bang. A seventies style intro starts off the track before kicking into a heavy beat with a chugging guitar and strong vocals.
Set apart from their contemporaries by shredding guitar solos and Gentile’s exceptionally powerful vocals, Vilivant’s ”Running On Empty” is nothing short of impressive.
All over the album Vilivant flexes a dynamic range in their songwriting, from the ’80s metal-inspired “Comatose” to the moving balladry of “Valleys”. The title track and initial single, “Running On Empty”, however, steals the show for its sheer relentlessness, showcasing the band at their tightest as they balance heavy riffs and catchy, melodic vocals.
Similarly, “Drown” builds on this notion, seeing Vilivant flip from a ballad like tone into a massive chorus. Furthermore, both singles feature bridge sections that feel as inventive and necessary to the song as a whole, a challenging feat for any songwriter.
“Running On Empty” and “Drown” stand tall among an already stacked track listing as definite highlights on Vilivant’s 2023 release.
Sporting influences from some of the greatest rock bands to emerge in the last two decades, ”Running On Empty” sees Vilivant establish themselves among the most promising of up and coming rock bands to come out of Canada.
Over the course of the album, Vilivant flaunts a refined sense of songwriting, accompanied by explosive musicianship. Without a moment of filler, ”Running On Empty” marks a strong, debut full-length effort from Vilivant.
Highly Recommended
01 – In My Life
02 – Moving Forward
03 – Running on Empty
04 – Comatose
05 – Narcissistic Entity
06 – Drown
07 – Stuck
08 – Valleys
09 – Take Me Home
10 – Never Again
11 – Stabilized
12 – Broken
13 – Stabilized (Acoustic Version)
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