Exclusive Interview: Vanitas talk Hellfest, Singles and Dark North Media! (Part #2)

It is our great pleasure to bring you the second half of an exclusive full band interview with Midlands based Cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas. Currently riding on the crest of a tidal wave created by the unleashing of new single “Eventum” last month, basking in the glory of surpassing 16k of streams between Spotify and YouTube alone. That’s no small achievement for a band coining a new genre who only formed in 2022 but the five piece make it look effortless with technical riffs and JRPG inspired orchestral soundscapes, not to mention the stunning vocals. A new EP is on the horizon but for now, here’s the interview…

“Eventum” is the first taste of that new material and it feels like the tip of the iceberg. What made you choose an anthem for the anti hero as the first new offering?

Jade: “Eventum has been in the works for a while now, probably since November last year. Me and Mitch have discussed it almost as though Eventum is a bit of a ‘Ghostly Coast part 2’ in its delivery. I just think it has a bit of everything to offer- soft, pretty acoustic sections, heavy djenty riffs, soaring emotional choruses- it’s everything I consider to be the ‘Vanitas’ sound in one song and I love it!”

Mitch: “I think Eventum has a good all round approach to the evolution of our sound, coming across to me as more all encompassing of what we are as a band. Involving acoustic guitars is something I wanted to do since day one thanks to my absolute admiration for Opeth. Eventum shows all of what I believe the Vanitas sound is maturing into, and it’s my personal 2nd favorite (I’m a Ghostly Coast fanboy through and through!)”

Jackson: “I think Eventum was the perfect way for the band to come back with a bang after the E.P, it carries on the same sound as the E.P but I think in a more mature way, with some new elements like the screams added in. It’s got parts where every member of the band gets to shine in some way which is one of the main things I love about it”

Elijah: “Eventum was a very exciting time for me personally as I got the chance this time round to contribute towards the writing aspect of it. The solo was fun to do as me & Mitch were going for a diminished, ‘horror styles’ sound and I think we captured that perfectly!”

Jon: “For me it is an epic showcase to the world as to what Vanitas is all about, with the beautiful orchestral and acoustic passages, the modern aggressive progressive metal riffs, and the combination of the two into one incredibly fun song to play”

For the music video for “Eventum” you used the skills of Dark North Media who we know for their work with Northern Groove Metal merchants Trendkill. How did that come about? What was the process of shooting the video like? Did you already have ideas to offer up or was it a complete blank slate?

Jade: “Canty (Dark North Media) is amazing! He’s really helped push us as a band overall in the last couple of months. It’s no secret that as well as the videographer for Eventum Dark North is also our band’s management now. How we met was actually through the Eventum shoot- We’d seen several bands we’re friendly with shoot videos with Canty so thought we’d give it a go, and it became clear on shoot day that we really gelled. We had a vague theme of ‘post-apocalyptic’ vibes for the Eventum music video but the rest of the video sort of unfolded on the day! I knew that Canty managed our mates in A Titan, A Deity so thought I’d shoot him an email about support with the Eventum release following our shoot and the rest is history”

Mitch: “We found Canty through seeing his work with other bands we’re friends with. When we were recording, we just had such an immediate chill rapport with him, kinda already setting up in-jokes and talking about all the nerdy things that make this band what it is. Upon that, we ended up discussing management with him and fully rolling with it! As others have said, we had vague ideas of “post apocalyptic” vibes for this music video, and Canty truly brought them to life”

Jackson: “Canty is an absolute legend! He’s given us tons of advice and guidance with the music and more business-y aspects of being a band. We really clicked whilst filming the Eventum video, and he also manages A Titan, A Deity. The video was literally just an idea that Canty made reality, and we love it”

Elijah: “There were definitely visions of a ‘post-apocalyptic’ theme in mind before we went to shoot but Canty brought those visions to life with his awesome guidance and skills! He just had a way of making it look natural and as the day unfolded you could just see it all coming together fluently”

Jon: “Oh Canty is incredible at shooting music videos and is a brilliant person who is practically overflowing with advice and coolness. The video is essentially Canty bringing a simple idea we had to life, and we could not be happier with it”

As a band what would mean more to you at this point in your career? A twenty show run across Europe with Amorphis or a one off Festival like Hellfest (France), Summer Breeze (Germany) or Brutal Assault (Czech Republic)? If you had to choose, which option would you take?

Jade: “That’s such a tough question! I have lots of goals in mind in terms of live shows for Vanitas, and honestly any of those opportunities would blow my mind but if I haaad to choose probably Hellfest just because it’s had some stonking line-ups of my favourite bands over the years”

Mitch: “Hellfest would be glorious, but I’d love to have an excuse to do a twenty show run across Europe. Playing places like the Cave in Amsterdam, or playing cities like Gothenburg, places of true metal heritage for me – would feel like a bucket list moment”

Jackson: “As much fun as touring would be, I would scream if we got the chance to play a big festival, especially in Europe like Hellfest or Summer Breeze. The European crowds love big anthemic bands so I think we’d definitely gain a lot of new fans from it”

Elijah: “Hellfest is an all time goal for all of us and the band if I’m being honest, just to mirror what the rest of the guys have said I think it would be amazing to play there and the crowds would be insane!”

Jon: “To repeat the name yet again, I think Hellfest would be the most incredible thing for the band and for me personally. Also I would not say no to any chance of playing Bloodstock”

What’s next for Vanitas?

Jade: “As mentioned, now that we’re working with Canty as our management we have several single-campaigns for 2023 in the pipeline and although I can’t say much on this just yet, as you’ve mentioned this may tie up with a sophomore EP late this year. Our main focus right now is prepping for the Metal to The Masses final to make sure we put on the best show we possibly can! I’m really excited for our future”

Mitch: “Our main focus is preparing for the final of Metal To The Masses, and making sure we’re absolutely the best we can be during it. Past this, maybe another single or two, our newer material utilizes 8 string guitars – and that really brings out a different vibe for us that is still uniquely vanitas, but allows us to adventure into much different creative and sonic territory”

Jackson: “We’ve got more music coming very soon, but our main focus for the next few months is Metal 2 The Masses and (hopefully!) getting to Bloodstock. I’m very excited to see what happens and what we get up to over the rest of the year and into 2024”

Elijah: “To keep growing and progressing as a band and family is the ultimate goal for us here at Vanitas! We’re always looking at ways on how we can stand out and perfect our craft at what we do so I’m looking forward to what comes next for the rest of the year. Our final heat of MTTM is next so we’re all just making sure that everything is in place and that we’re prepped for the big night!”

Jon: “Well the first thing to come next is our metal to the masses final which we are aiming on making quite possibly the best show of our lives so far, and we will definitely be continuing to develop and advance as a band. In the near future we have some really exciting new music and I believe we will continue to impress ourselves with what we can do together as a band”

You can find all things Vanitas over at bandcamp.