Album Review: "Rite of Ascension" by Vacivus

Rite of Ascension

Today we're looking at the official first release from Vacivus.

Last year some time a recording of their rehearsal was released in some form.

Amazing time to be alive isn't it?

Well if you don't know who this band is, perhaps you know them under their previous moniker, Dawn of Chaos?

No, that's fine. That's why I'm  here.

There are a lot of EPs being released these days. This is kind of interesting if you ask me.

This one is the tenth release by the relatively new Goatprayer Records. There's also a limited run of 100 copies on cassette. I'm still a bit confused by the tape thing coming back, but that's awesome if you like it.

Vacivus

This band is billed as blackened death. I'm going to just ignore that and call them English Death metal in the vein of Carcass.

I mean, they're from Sunderland.

Vacivus has similarities with American death metal. The alternate picked riffs, the blast beats, etc.

Any fan of Obituary or Deicide should enjoy this album.

There is a black metal influence as well. It's primarily seen in the vocals. They're (mostly) monotone, save some Glenn Benton styled screaming, but mostly like Jeff Walker, but less melodic.

The vocals aren't right on top of everything, but in the back, lurking. Though Vacivus isn't re-inventing the wheel, they're certainly not painting by numbers either.

This band has no star and no single visionary, at least that's readily apparent. This EP is born of five men working in concert (pun intended).

It's quite the introduction if I say so.

Release: 7/4/15
Genre: Death Metal
Label: Goatprayer Records
Facbook Link
Purchase Link