Vukovi have never been a band to shy away from intensity, but with My God Has Got A Gun, they take their visceral, raw energy to a whole new level. As frontwoman Janine Shilstone reveals, the album was inspired by real-life exorcism accounts, setting the stage for a deeply personal and nightmarish sonic experience.
The album opens with “This Is My Life And My Trauma,” a track that immediately establishes the unsettling, dystopian atmosphere before launching into the adrenaline-fueled chaos of “Gungho.” This song, like much of the record, is made for the mosh pit—big choruses, bigger energy, and a relentless drive.
Yet, it’s the raw, emotional depth that truly defines this record. The title track, My God Has Got A Gun, feels like an invasion into someone’s darkest moments, a chilling portrayal of depression and helplessness. “This is what depression looks like,” the lyrics suggest, and the weight of that statement is almost palpable in the sonic landscape Vukovi create.
Sonically, the album draws influence from mid-’90s industrial rock, with echoes of Stabbing Westward but infused with a modern, polished edge. Tracks like “Falling Beyond” carry this influence, blending nostalgia with cutting-edge production. Meanwhile, “Fuc KIt Up” strips away any facade, laying the pain bare in its purest form.
Despite the album’s heavy themes, Vukovi’s knack for crafting hooks remains intact. “Misty Ecstasy” is proof of their ability to blend accessibility with aggression, while “Sno” slows things down slightly, offering the closest thing to a ballad the album has to offer.
There’s also an undeniable crossover appeal here. “Cowboy” leans more into pop influences, though its provocative lyrics—”Come taste the cure between my thighs”—ensure it remains firmly outside the mainstream comfort zone. “Peel” captures the essence of modern alt-rock, laced with a hedonistic, live-for-the-moment attitude.
But Vukovi are masters of unsettling moments, and “Kitty” embodies this unnerving quality perfectly. These aren’t short, sharp shocks; they are deep, terrifying dives into the abyss. “Bladed” exemplifies this descent, while even the catchier tracks like “Lasso” disguise their melodies beneath layers of barbed-wire aggression.
With their history of touring alongside Babymetal, there’s no reason to think Vukovi can’t follow a similar trajectory. But don’t mistake My God Has Got A Gun for easy listening—this is an album that demands to be felt as much as heard.
Rating: 7/10
REVIEW: VUKOVI – MY GOD HAS GOT A GUN (2025)
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