Track Review: “Nobody” by Vanitas

They may have only released their third EP “Journey to the Sun” in August but Midlands Cinematic DJent pioneers Vanitas aren’t a band for resting on their laurels and admiring their sonic abrasions. Instead having played shows over the entirety of the United Kingdom in the past few months, including selling out The Flapper in Birmingham and gracing Slammer Festival at Manchester Rebellion, they’ve returned to the studio and pulled a new single out of the magician’s hat. Once again aided and abetted by Matthew Jones of Dakesis at Capsaarx Studios who provides orchestral programming, that single is titled “Nobody“…

While vocalist Jade Marissa Grundy, drummer Jackson Cann, bassist Jon Willingham and guitarist duo Mitchell Barlow and Elijah Storer have coined their own sub-genre over the past four years, they have also been quietly evolving, pushing the boundaries of their sound in all extremes. While there can be no argument that they’ve got heavier, embracing unclean vocals and breakdowns, they’ve also got more melodic at times, pushing further into Progressive Metal territories and drawing from a wider spectrum of influences. What Vanitas have done with this new puzzle piece is create something that builds on the foundations of what they’ve previously done by pulling all of those elements together in one single bone crushing entity. “Nobody” very much feels like the culmination of four years of dedication to craft, time spent refining their sound and musing over every finer detail to ensure perfection.

A powerful DJent fuelled groove laden riff helps create a dark and brooding atmosphere, it’s embellished by orchestral programming to give the tune that cinematic sense of epic grandeur while warning that something wicked this way comes. The rolling thunder of the brutal death growled opening verse is like dark, stormy clouds overhead before the clouds break with shafts of light as they make way for a glorious clean sung chorus that is as infectious as they come. Bold and brave, the second verse borders on Technical Progressive Deathcore with its down-tuned riffs and pummelling percussion, the visceral screams of “Nobody!” utterly savage. After the second chorus comes the lush textures of a melodic break, made possible in slick transition. It’s a moment of both style and grace in the space between a blink and a tear that captivates before the gut punch of a chugging breakdown that hits with the power of a left hook from a prize fighter. What makes it particularly special is the unsettling orchestral accompaniment, giving it a horror film vibe that the band have subsequently gone on to use in the music video.

Lyrically the song has all the grit, integrity and depth of meaning that we’ve come to expect from Vanitas as Jade Maris sings and screams about those who judge her without knowing who she is or what she stands for. Make no mistake, this is a song that has a name, something which is made obvious as she pours scorn with scalding white heat with the emotive quality of the vocal performance telling us that there is more to this tale than meets the ear. The beauty of it is that with the way its been crafted it’s very much one you can make your own and subconsciously because it resonates you probably will. Vanitas are in a rich vein of form, growing in stature with each subsequent release and have very much found the Midas touch [9.5/10]

“Nobody” by Vanitas is out 20th February 2026 and is available over at bandcamp.