Review: “And Now We Die” by Vanishment

Uniting former members of bands like Himsa, Lair Of The Minotaur, Hell Promise, Trial and Earthen Grave to name but a few, Vanishment began their journey back in 2019. Taking influence from both classic Thrash and Traditional Heavy Metal, in 2023 they self released “No More Torture“, a critically acclaimed debut album that combines raw energy with an aggressive sound while having melodic weight. It was powerful enough to take them across the Pacific Northwest to share stages with the likes of Warbringer, Flotsam & Jetsam and Mutiod Man before they settled down in Seattle Washington to write a sophomore record. Recorded with Nicholas Wilbur (Sumac, Divided And Dissolve, Coffin Apartment) at Anacortes Unknown, mixed by drummer Chris Wozniak and mastered by Alan Douches (Three Inches of Blood, Baroness, Darkest Hour), that record is “And Now We Die“…

The combination of Rob Ropkin’s vocals and the bands musicality takes us back to the early 80’s sounds of Anthrax with “Scarred In Fate” offering up an anthemic fist in the air chorus surrounded by thunderous percussion and tasteful riffs. There are hints of 2003 era American Metalcore in the melodies of the lead guitar parts that give the band a distinctive edge so whichever way you look at the picture its gloriously old school and has an instant appeal in familiarity. Cut from the same cloth “Darkened Innocence” has galloping drums from Chris Wozniak wrapped in twin harmonies from axe weilding pair Brian Johnson and Jeremy McAllister, who take a Thrash corpse and reainmate it with Power Metal style lead guitar flourishes. Somehow the five piece have managed to avoid anything that sounds like a cliche, the primal Thrash sounds of “How I Bleed” given a few clean vocal moments from Ropkins before some wonderful melodic moments give rise to a blistering solo. It has to be said that the musicianship is impeccable as the band match their vision in practice, nailing the dynamics while escaping the pitfalls of doing anything too virtuoso. Arguably the heaviest moment of the record is “Steel Demise” which is an absolute Speed Thrash ripper performed at neck snapping velocity. A fleeting moment of whammy bar action and some tasfeful gang chants make for moments of magic as the song races to its bitter conculsion with verve and swagger. The solo is straight of the Gary Holt playbook which should give you an idea of where the band are at this present time before the blood and thunder of “Die In My Shelter” comes into view. Another solid tune laced with earworm riffs it has a little more of an emotive quality to it lyrically which effervescently bubbles to the surface in the vocal performance.

That greater depth of emotion spills over into “Engraved Under Skin“, a cut with a couple of interesting melodic breaks wrapped around powerful rhythmic drive from bassist Nick Baker and drummer Chris Wozniak. Ropkin’s raspy vocals push the lyrical narrative persuasively while a couple of the guitar licks add a spice that’s nice. The attention to detail is second to none throughout, the leads during the introduction to “Unleash the Storm” utterly sublime. A powerful statement piece with all the vim and vigor of a Testament track and the kind of soloing you might expect on something graced by Zakk Wylde, its an anthem that will keep you coming back to the album time and time again. Baker’s dirge laden bass line ushers in “Conviction” before it bursts into flames, the five piece expertly shifting the tempo back and forth in neoclassical style. Building up to a grand finale instrumental “Ellipsis” finds Vanishment bringing out the acoustic guitars and offering up some soothing 70’s styled sounds with early Progressive Metal leanings. The five piece pass up the opportunity to bring in the drums and go full electric at the mid point, instead keeping things clear and calm before “Ashes and Bone” rears its ugly head. Another that borders on Progressive Thrash, this one plays out over six minutes with powerful chord structures and fierce harmonic sequences that you might have heard elsewhere before. Overall, a mighty fine album that feels both cleverly constructed and well thought out with plenty of finesse [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Scarred In Fate
2. Darkened Innocence
3. How I Bleed
4. Steel Demise
5. Die In My Shelter
6. Engraved Under Skin
7. Unleash the Storm
8. Conviction
9. Ellipsis
10. Ashes and Bone

“And Now We Die” by Vanishment is out 23rd January 2026 via M-Theory Audio and is available over at bandcamp