heavy-metal-darkness: Lavisher | Aligned & Vital

Thursday, November 20, 2025

Lavisher | Aligned & Vital | Nefarious Industries

Release Date: November 14, 2025
Format: 12" Vinyl/CD
Genre: Space Rock, Post-Rock, Grunge
Country: United States

Lavisher is a Chicago-based collective led by Gavin Cushman III and Benjamin Standage. Emerging in 2017 with a self-titled EP, the band quickly developed a signature sound blending heavy, textured rock with lush melodies and a hint of psychedelia. Their 2019 debut full-length “Drastic Shadows” laid the groundwork for the band’s exploration of spacey, grunge-infused atmospheres. In 2023, Gavin and Benjamin reunited creatively, resulting in “Aligned & Vital”, a twelve-track album that expands the band’s sonic palette while keeping the core of their velvet-tinged rock intact.

“Aligned & Vital” presents a vibrant mix of distorted textures and melodic lines. Lavisher moves through their twelve tracks with a sense of controlled ambition, balancing dense guitar layers with expansive vocal lines. The album has a steady pulse, occasionally shifting into heavier grooves or atmospheric passages that linger just long enough to leave an impression without slowing the flow. The songwriting leans on concise structures, letting the music breathe in a way that’s deliberate and engaging, while the production keeps the vocals and instruments balanced and clear.

The album’s mood alternates between reflective and urgent, with moments of quiet intensity interspersed with more driving segments. Tracks like “Way Too Much” show a slightly different flavor, adding variety without disrupting the continuity of the album. Overall, the sound is immersive and polished, giving listeners a complete experience that’s easy to follow yet layered enough to reward repeated listens.

Score: 6.0