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Strength in Precision: Vexatious - Empty Threat (EP Review) Released: 1/16/26


Vexatious have been carving their place in Michigan’s heavy underground since 2015, when the project was first created by Brendan DuMoulin and Frank Perna in Monroe, Michigan. Nearly a decade later, now operating out of the greater Detroit area, the band has evolved into a sharpened, fully realized force. Their EP, EMPTY THREAT, captures that evolution with striking clarity. From the opening moments, the release establishes a cold, serrated atmosphere with riffs that slice, drums that hit like collapsing concrete, and vocals that carry both venom and vulnerability. It’s the sound of a band that has lived through years of lineup changes, scene shifts, and creative refinement, emerging with a sound that feels unmistakably their own.

The current lineup: Nathan Benjamin (vocals), Frank Perna II (guitar), Dominic Tetreau (guitar), Ethan Bilby (bass), and Scottie Yensch (drums), brings a renewed sense of cohesion and intensity to the EP. The guitars churn between low‑end heaviness and dissonant accents that give each track its edge, while the rhythm section drives everything with a pulse that feels urgent without ever losing control. Nathan’s vocal performance cuts through the mix with raw grit, shifting between snarling aggression and moments of strained clarity that reveal the emotional core beneath the heaviness. Lyrically, EMPTY THREAT explores pressure, disillusionment, and the breaking point between endurance and collapse with themes that resonate deeply with a band forged in the Midwest’s relentless DIY metal scene.

As a complete body of work, EMPTY THREAT doesn’t just showcase where Vexatious have been, it reveals the band they’ve become. There’s a sharpened intent behind every riff, every vocal break, every rhythmic shift, the sound of musicians who have spent years honing their craft and are now stepping into their power with confidence. The EP feels less like a warning shot and more like a declaration of presence, a reminder that Michigan’s heavy scene continues to produce bands capable of pushing the genre forward. With EMPTY THREAT, Vexatious proves they’re not fading into the background; they’re carving out space, demanding to be heard, and showing they’re ready for whatever comes next.


If you haven’t heard Vexatious yet, then their track Delusions is the perfect place to start. Hit play, and feel the impact for yourself.


Go give them a follow on Instagram: Vexatious

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