Track Review: “Your Demise” by Vanitas

Silently, in the background the gears of the algorithm quietly go about making decisions about what we want to see and hear for us, allegedly based on our choices but ultimately capable of pushing someone else’s narrative should they so desire. That’s all part and parcel of the age of Social Media in which we live, an extension of the Internet Age that came before it. As artificial intelligence grows in statute, so does the rebellion against it as independent artists find ways of raging against the machine in David Vs Goliath fashion. Waterfall release strategies have evolved into treating every single unvieling like an EP release with a full blown music video, artwork and even merch bundles as a way of getting ahead of the game.

One of many bands who are currently following this fork in the left hand path are Birmingham natives Vanitas and the Cinematic DJent pioneers have over time become experts in doing so. Following the success of their sophomore EP “Chaos Theory” last summer, which has accumulated 140k and counting of combined streams across all platforms, a sold out hometown show at The Flapper and an extensive tour with Warlock A.D., the quintet offered up single “Wait And See” in November. Continuing their ascendency towards the nirvana of European tours, the song gave us more big, bold and bright clean choruses, harsh unclean verses and slick riffs built on a backbone of a DIY or DIE approach and a Disney meets Periphery vision. So how does 2025’s first single sound?

“”Your Demises” tackles the subject of toxic masculinity in the music industry inspired by personal experience and elements of the Time’s Up movement” ~ Vanitas

Returning to the tried, tested and true “Your Demise” features Orchestral programming by Matthew Jones of Dakesis at CapsaArx Studios with guitarist Mitchell Barlow mixing and mastering while Ethan Vega handled the vocal production. As a combination, they work like a well oiled machine to bolster the Vanitas sound and give the band the sprinkle of stardust that makes a real difference. Stepping out of Hells Gate like a beast from the black depths, Jade Maris gives us a Deathcore level of brutality with her harsh unclean vocals, painting a picture of pure unadulterated rage at what sees happening before her eyes. That depth and weight of feeling gives the track brooding darkness but as the crushing guitars come in the orchestrations add that little bit of vibrancy and light that make a huge difference to the sound. Vanitas are Cinematic DJent pioneers after all and not a spine juddering Deathcore band.

Seamlessly shifting from that nightmarish start into something more akin to their trademark sound, in come stunning sing-a-long clean vocal passages over Groove rhythmic guitars and powerful percussion. Little crescendos, fleeting harsh vocals and guitar nuances make for a stand out cut with instant appeal, the combination of elements being perfectly balanced in the mix. This time around it feels like the focus and intensity has been placed on pushing the envelope of the lyrical narrative with the music perhaps taking a different route to remain. Perhaps the sonic abrasions are just a little less complex than those in previous endeavours but in all honesty it’s small margins and the interplay between the guitars is still seriously addictive but for this one the approach pays off in spades. The result is a track that you can easily picture as the soundtrack to the closing credits of a summer Hollywood block buster on the big screen with a strong female protagonist as an evil male genius is sent to his grave, such is the quality of the tune. Mission accomplished [9/10]

“Your Demise” by Vanitas is out 21st March 2025 and is available over at bandcamp.