VANITAS
Chaos Theory (EP)

It’s still summer here in the US meaning that it’s still unbearably hot and nearly impossible for a metalhead like myself to go an soak up some vitamin D. Lucky for me (and presumably you) we have a new EP to check out! This one comes out of the gloomy and historically dark United Kingdom. And, it’s a djent group to top it all off! Today we will be discussing VANITAS and their new EP “Chaos Theory”. So buckle in, dust off your old college algebra textbook, and throw away that bottle of sunscreen that you relectuantly bought. It’s metal time.

THE BAND

Formed in Birmingham in 2022, VANITAS have been making waves in the British metal scence with their charming infusion of progressive metalcore, orchestral musicality, and cinematic soundscapes which feel like they would be right at home in online fantastical video games. A rare five-piece act, Jade Maris fronts the band with her majestic vocal prowress and idiosyncratic style of scncopating her vocal tracks with the rhythm section. She is accompanied by the virtuoistic Elijah Storer and Mitchell Barlow on guitars, Jonathan Willingham keeping the heartbeat steady on bass, and human metronome Jackson Cann on drums.

THE ALBUM

Even though this EP is only six tracks in length, it packs enough of a punch to make the listener feel as if they experienced a full-length album. Beginning with “Can We Let Go?”, we are introduced to the unique stylings of cinematic metal that was promised to us. “Grey Morality” feels reminicent of a circus with so much excitement happening all at once and the way Maris‘ voice breaks when she shouts “Can we let go?” feels your headphones with so much emotion that you won’t know whether you should cry or mosh.

The standout track, in this reviewer’s humble opinion, is “Lies”. This track is so frantic and unhinged that it feels like you’re being chased through a Doctor Who-esque wormhole at the climax of a film. VANITAS have such an esquisite way of beautifully painting a portal to hell that it tears you into two seperate pieces between appreciation of beauty and brutal excitement.

“E.D.G.” (which was accompanied by a killer music video) is the most brutal on the EP and should not be skipped. The final two tracks “Chaos Theory” and “Queen Of Nowhere” keep the momentum going until it abruptly stops, keeping the audience craving more.

THE VERDICT

VANITAS has an amazing future in the niche known as cinematic metal. This EP felt so big and commanding that it is clear that this young band has nowhere to go but up. I highly reccommend that you buy this EP and give it a listen for yourself. It’s is out independently on August 2nd.

Matthew McCune