Review: “Alien Realms” by Vortex

In 2o23, Canadians Vortex graced us with their third epic concept album “The Future Remains In Oblivion”, a record which drew critical acclaim as well crafted Science Fiction tale set to a soundscape of Blackened Melodic Death Metal with symphonic orchestrations. It was their seventh album in a career dating back to 1998 and so perhaps it is something of a surprise that only for the second time they have chosen to record an EP in “Alien Realms” as their move. Engineered, mixed and mastered by Pierre Luc Demers (Prowl, The Modern Sins, Astral Gates) who also co-produced alongside guitarist Dany Lévesque, the concept behind the record revolves around humanity venturing into space in search of intelligent life. However like the best Science Fiction Horror movies, they don’t find exactly what they anticipated…

Beginning on a ferocious note “When Humans Defy the Void” is a demonstration of prowess from Vortex as blood gargling, bowel clenching death growls vocals from Alexandre Labrie shift from to shriller tones as the track plays out. Thunderous percussion from Olivier Harrisson rains down like flaming arrows in a Medieval castle siege, as a whirlwind of technical riffage destroys everything it touches. Transcending into an icy piano moment is pure class before the power of the orchestrations are felt, the Black Metal drumming that accompanies them of the highest order. Add to that a stunning, graceful warm solo and it has to be said that the band have set a very high bench mark for the record, arguably surpassing the heights of their previous one. Cinematic orchestrations give “Haunting the Abyss” another dimension as Labrie calls from the black depths, his dry, raspy and shrill tones making the blood run cold. Rhythmically the quintet inflict damage with a blood and thunder approach, ploughing a new furrow to the cranium in the process, moving through groove laden riffage to a flamboyant guitar solo before bursting back into a piano solo in quick succession. That all builds to an epic, spellbinding and ultimately enthralling piece of Symphonic Death Metal that leaves no stone unturned in the hunt for perfection. Hell there is even time for a masterfully worked false ending just to keep you on the edge of your seat.

A haunting piano piece overlaying the guitars sets a creepy tone to “Ripping the threads of Reality“, another brutal vocal performance from Labrie driving the quintet forward from a dark, menacing and sinister atmospheric, through a Progressive Death Metal solo to an inevitable, bleak conclusion. Once more the textures are stunning, the layering meaning that there are so many nuances its impossible to hear everything that is going on during the first couple of spins. That only lends itself to the longevity of the record and given its spellbinding qualities its most definitely one that you’ll want to return to. A haunting female guest vocal appearance gives “Where Wonders Dwell” an almost gothic touch with the dark piano melody building into orchestrations, as if taking a leaf from the Oceans Of Slumber playbook, her voice giving Vortex the one thing that they don’t have in their arsenal. It has to be said that “Alien Realms” is stunning piece of modern cinematic Symphonic Death Metal from a collection of seasoned musicians who seemingly have the Midas touch [9/10]

Track Listing:

1. When Humans Defy the Void
2. Haunting the Abyss
3. Ripping the threads of Reality
4. Where Wonders Dwell

“Alien Realms” by Vortex is out 11th April 2025