Crossing every music divide, it has been a mammoth and epic journey for Mother Vulture. I am sure the dictionary definition of hard work is Mother Vulture, for the band seem to have been unrelenting over the past six or seven years. They will gig anywhere and everywhere, explosive performances that have seen them raise temperatures at almost every rock festival in the UK and beyond.
Mother Vulture – Cartoon Violence
Release Date: 15 January 2026
Words: Paul Hutchings
Recent years have seen Mother Vulture make festival appearances at ArcTanGent, Bloodstock, Bearstone (Croatia), Leopallooza, Steelhouse and Burn It Down, among others, as well as supports for the likes of Skindred, Reef, Feeder, ’68, Steel Beans, Jamie Lenman and Bokassa.
My first encounter came in 2019 at Fuel Rock Club, where the band opened for The Black Hounds and absolutely astounded everyone. I have seen them countless times since, and they never disappoint.
But capturing the dynamic and downright insane live show on record pushed the West Country quartet to the limits. 2022’s debut Mother Knows Best rattled the speakers, with 36 minutes of the chaos that we had become used to. More gigging since then, and now a second album sees the band push the limits once more.
Cartoon Violence has captured the essence of Mother Vulture perfectly. It is carnage from start to finish, be it singer Georgie Valentine’s vocal contortions, the throbbing bass of Chris Simpson or the gargantuan riffs of Gretsch wielding Brodie Maguire.
A liberal sprinkling of sound bites and speech bubbles provides the only enhancement necessary, for this organic stimulation comes hard and fast, one minute raging, the next delicately crafting.
Just observe and listen to the segue from the raging Slown Down into the intro of The Masquerade if you need evidence, albeit the boys soon fire up the bellows for maximum chaos. The latter sees Mother Vulture dip into Muse country, with the harmonies reminiscent of the South Coast behemoths.
It is possibly the most mature track the band have written, grand in both pomp and dramatic in impact. Lurking as it does in the second segment of tracks, it is the hidden gem on Cartoon Violence. It is with no shame that I say that Mother Vulture have released an absolute corker. At over seven minutes in length, it’s a beast in comparison to their usual blisteringly short and in-your-face approach. It should be magnificent come their tour in February.
And whilst the chaos is still here in spades, there is a definite curve upwards in the quality on offer. The latest single, Phoenix, is an infectious punk rock monster, a fusion of styles that allows those who enjoy punk, Metal and all stops in between.
It is here that Maguire’s frantic soloing sounds most at home, drummer Matt West intent on ensuring that those drums accept the biggest beating, whilst Simpson just powers along. It is a constant increase in quality, Double Down kicking hard with another massive riff that cascades downhill at breakneck speed.
There is no repeat methodology being applied here. The band bring it all, proving that their shows have been a rich source of bonding, of honing the rawness that now makes its way to the vinyl presses.
Tracks like the furious rock ‘n’ roll of Bedbugs contrast fantastically with the Stones’ style meandering instrumental La Matadora. Both phenomenal tracks are merely two examples of the craft that has pushed them back into the cross hairs of a wide range of fans. Throw in the classic rock ‘n’ roll of closer Mountain Of Youth with its final blend of anarchy, and you have an album that gets better on every play.
Cartoon Violence is not an album that will earn them millions, but it might just give them the kick they need to push into a little security. Catch them live, but make sure you buy some merch.
Better still, buy this album and then go see them. It will be one wild ride.
Cartoon Violence is out on 15 January 2026. Pre-orders and tour tickets are available from here.
