Lago – Vigil

Metalcatto

With artwork like that, you know this isn’t an album for grandma. Yet Lago is setting up expectations in a way that’s dangerous, because we absolutely judge a book by its cover. Vigil is supposed to be Death Metal that splits us all in two, but honestly it’s going to take more than just brutal blasting to impress me this time. I’m feeling demanding today. The bar is high, the patience low, and the coffee has worn off.

Well, there’s certainly a lot of blasting here. As in, we’re going to need hearing aids after this. Vigil uses many of the tropes old school Death Metal is known for, but it gives them a few twists here and there. To be more specific, the tracks are packed with riffs to a ridiculous degree—layered, stacked, thrown at you like a machine gun with unlimited ammo. Yes, the songs are long, but they tend to use their runtime wisely, shifting between tempos and textures before any single idea overstays its welcome. Something that genuinely surprises me. I’m still not dead inside yet. Yay.

It’s technical and full of gymnastic fretwork, but it hits harder than the guy who lives at the pub and makes everyone uncomfortable with his stories. The guitar solos are just sickening in the best way—shreddy without becoming self-indulgent. The vocals sit somewhere between a guttural roar and something more desperate, adding a layer of urgency that the riffs alone wouldn’t carry. There’s no doubt in my mind that Lago was doing everything it could to make us feel like an elephant just mauled us.

As much as the album is interesting and insanely crushing, it could use more hooks. Once Vigil was done, I couldn’t really recall a specific part that sat me down in shock. It was intense, enjoyable, competent, but I had to put it back on again to remember it. This is the Nile school of riff writing, where tracks seem to go one way with little repetition, constantly moving forward without looking back. It’s challenging in all the good ways, but not as immediately impactful as it could be for someone who needs something to grab onto after the first spin.

I’ll give it to Lago. These guys try to offer some creativity while swinging a hammer like a monkey who somehow learned guitar. It might still stick to many conventions I’m tired of—the blasts, the growls, the minor-key tremolo runs—but that doesn’t mean we should disregard the quality of the work. It’s loud, savage, and authentic. Death Metal as it used to be, executed with the kind of conviction that separates fans from tourists. Jeez, I feel so old now.

Label: Everlasting Spew Records

Release date:  8 May, 2026

Website: https://everlastingspew.bandcamp.com/album/vigil

Country: USA

Score: 3.5/5.0