Rubbish Party’s debut album, ‘Culinary Vendetta’, is an audacious, blood-spattered triumph that dares to blend narrative theatrics with raw indie rock grit. Emerging from Warwickshire and helmed by German-American lyricist Evan Zorn Von Berg, the band doesn’t just push boundaries, they flambé them.
This concept album takes listeners on a macabre yet strangely poetic journey of revenge and obsession. Von Berg’s storytelling is unapologetically dark, weaving tales of betrayal, cannibalistic retribution, and emotional decay with a twisted finesse. Tracks like ‘Ground Beef’ and ‘Vampire’ are standouts, not just for their lyrical intensity, but for how they merge morbid humor with visionary songwriting. The former turns heartbreak into a grotesque banquet, while the latter dives into the tormented psyche of a man devoured by toxic love.
Alfred Lavender’s home studio recordings lend the album a rawness that works in its favor. Unlike the polished sheen of their later releases, this album feels unfiltered and personal, like a confession whispered from a basement, equal parts sinister and sincere. Even the minimalist ‘No Clue’, clocking in at just over a minute, leaves a lasting impression with its delicate instrumentation and existential shrug.
Thematically, ‘Culinary Vendetta’ is not for the faint-hearted. But beneath the gore and theatrics lies a startling emotional honesty that explores how far a broken soul might go to feel whole again. This is indie rock at its most fearless, drenched in pathos and imagination.
Rubbish Party didn’t just serve an album, they planted a fever dream. And strangely enough, you’ll want seconds.
