Vestige & Vigil. The Bellwether Syndicate

Listening to Vestige & Vigil it is as if time has stood still since the 1980s. Despite the album being from 2023 it could have been recorded in 1983 - 1986. From the opening seconds, in the instrumental song 'Vestige', an urgency comes through that makes the album one in the category 'I want it all and I want it now', as the band happens to sing in 'Noir Thing'.

Everything about The Bellwether Syndicate's album is huge. The music, the production, the double tracked vocals, it is all aimed to be able to play in the largest stadiums. Memories from old albums by U2, The Simple Minds, Killing Joke, The Armoury Show, The Cult or Big Country, all come forward. Nearly all of them from the British Isles. The more striking it becomes that The Bellwether Syndicate is from Chicago.

The band formed in Chicago after William Faith moved there from Los Angeles. The band released an EP in 2014 and one single some years later. Vestige & Vigil was six years in the making. There's no real explanation provided, although I can imagine a certain pandemic to have been of some influence. Whatever the reason, the result is what counts and the record is remarkable.

The band's members are William Faith (vox, guitars), Sarah Rose Faith (vox, guitars), Philly Peroxide (keyboards, percussion), Stevyn Grey (drums) and Corey Gorey (guitars). Produced and recorded by William Faith, it makes him responsible for the successful huge sound.

Promo photo: David Staudacher

The album holds a few musical flavours. Post punk is certainly one of them but far removed what is called post punk in the U.K. and here in NL today. The link with the original post punk of the 1980s is obvious. At the same time The Bellwether Syndicate is not afraid of throwing in some rock Foo Fighters style, like in 'We All Rise'. People who like Cottbus, Germany band/project Para Lia will certainly find something to their liking on Vestige & Vigil.

Having listened though this album several times now, what remains with me every time, is the enormous sense of urgency. The Bellwether Syndicate is in fear of not catching the last train or bus home. On the basis of Vestige & Vigil it should though and be invited to tour extensively. If the band is able to translate this sound to the stage, success ought to be guaranteed. A song like 'Clarion' sung by Sarah Rose Faith has a golden chorus, just like the great single 'Golden Age', that is not on the album. Vestige & Vigil is a rock album deserving to be checked out extensively.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Vestige & Vigil here:

https://thebellwethersyndicate.bandcamp.com/album/vestige-vigil