Track Review: “Secrets” by Vanitas

It’s an open secret that we’ve been loving the work of Midlands Cinematic DJent collective Vanitas since we first clamped ears on them circa May 2022. They’re genre pioneers who have inspired with technical riffs, big orchestral soundscapes and soaring vocals, not to mention turning their influences from vast-spanning JRPG soundtracks into something which has given their music another dimension of depth and texture. Comprising former members of previous Verb The Noun and Aramantus but sounding nothing like either band they’ve pushed the extremes in their sound in all directions up to this point. Going heavy with a cover of “The Rumbling” originally by SiM that features guest vocals from the monstrous Jacob Collins of Recall The Remains before going melodic with the love song that is “Between Lune & Eden“.

Does being fans of a band like Vanitas make us bias? Not one bit of it; in fact if anything it puts more of an FBI interrogation like spotlight on the bands new material, simply because we know what they’re capable of, so if this one doesn’t meet the lofty standards they’ve already set then we’re going to tell it like it is. After the aforementioned melodic “Between Lune & Eden“, another sharp change of direction is an intriguing one with “Secrets” as Vanitas push their boundaries a little further in all directions and tread new ground. Going several shades heavier than their previous endeavours, the band bring a plethora of headbangable DJent fuelled riffs to the table with influences from their peers in the likes of SikTh and even Northlane as the dual axe attack make their presence felt. Touches of orchestration maintain the continuity of that cinematic feel they’ve built their reputation on and that helps build the atmosphere deliciously however the real change up is in the vocals. Jade Marissa Grundy intersplices her soulful and heartfelt cleans with more of the unclean vocals that had previously been used so sparingly that they had barely been noticeable. Add to the weight of that a catchy sing-a-long chorus and you have an absolute fireball of a track that feels like Vanitas have entered a new realm because there is a real verve, swagger and confidence to this… [8.5/10]