Do you remember a classic song by the title “Agent Orange“? It might strike a cord as it was originally released by Scots, Ski Patrol in 1980. In August, Vision Video, a four piece from Georgia in the USA brought forth their version.
This retelling still has that spine tingling feel to the anti war classic. It is post punk heaven but with extra goth punk thrown in.
The original starts off far more quietly and gains speed and volume while the Vision Video begins simply and takes off yet they are more up front vocally.
Love the floating guitar chiming in that adds to the ethereal feel of the music paired with the verbose singing.
An extra added bonus is the band having Tom Ashton involved with the production of this single. For those not familiar with the name, Ashton plays guitars in American goth daddies, The Wake as well as at one point, playing with Dutch icons, Clan Of Xymox.
Agent Orange was the defoliating chemical used during the Vietnam war and the song was a comment on the lasting effects of this chemical warfare, with severe birth defects and soldiers dying from cancer.
Vision Video now uses it as a political call to rise up from apathy, to take control of our future. Good protest songs are timeless and Vision Video has done a brilliant rousing goth version of “Agent Orange“.
Onyx Music Reviews 