While VANITAS have been around for a couple of years, they only came onto my radar towards the end of last year. Hearing a mix of different genres throughout their earlier releases intrigued me, and having heard their upcoming EP Chaos Theory, I am glad I stuck around. Let me explain.
Epic instrumental Can We Let It Go starts things off in a dramatic fashion that entices the listener. This is the sort of instrumental that wouldn’t be out of place in a Final Fantasy game. It does a great job of invoking curiosity before the piano bash gives way to the chaos that is about to be bestowed upon the listener. By that point, it’s too late to turn back.
Grey Mortality grabs you and drags you in by the ankles, whether you are ready for it or not. The talented and versatile vocal stylings of Jade Maris work so well alongside the pounding riffs and drums. From the theatrical orchestrations to the cathartic breakdown after the chorus, this track shows that VANITAS mean business.
In Lies, you can hear the hurt and betrayal through poetic lyrics such as: “not to show my face or let you know I see through all your lies”. This, coupled with the impactful and unpredictable musical arrangements, emphasises the pain someone feels when they find out someone close to them isn’t honest. The NIGHTWISH-esque orchestral arrangements amongst the chaotic growls and heavy riffs work fantastically well.
E.D.G. is the latest single to be released for this EP, and it came out at the ideal time. I have personally been struggling with feelings of burnout and forgetting to appreciate the joys in life. E.D.G. provided the lifeline that I needed. This song does an amazing job of showing chaos and positivity. The verses show what burnout and being overworked can cause the mind to go through. The chorus is a beacon of hope, reminding us of that message we all need to hear.
Title track Chaos Theory kept me on my toes for sure. Given what the previous tracks on the EP were like, the acoustic part at the start caught me off guard. This comes before more of the hard-hitting stuff we have seen already. This song wouldn’t be out of place in the Kingdom Hearts series due to its epic vastness. Powerful lyrics about growing as a person and learning from past mistakes add to this amazing track.
Even down to the closing track Queen Of Nowhere, you never know what you’re going to get with VANITAS. I don’t want to give too much away about this track, as I do think you need to experience this for yourself; but what I will say is that this song would be the perfect soundtrack to a final boss level.
Birmingham is a holy ground for British heavy metal: household names include JUDAS PRIEST and BLACK SABBATH. Could rising stars VANITAS join this growing list? Judging from the sounds on Chaos Theory, the possibility is on the cards for sure.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
Chaos Theory will be unleashed this Friday.
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