Track Review: “The Great Unknown” by Vanitas

Having headlined the EMP stage at this years 25th Anniversary incarnation of Bloodstock Open Air Festival with their set coming between Sepultura and Lamb Of God on the main stage, not to mention appearances at Summer Bash and Rabidfest just around the corner, its safe to say it has been an incredible time to be alive for Vanitas. The midlands based Cinematic DJent pioneers have long been one of the hardest working bands on the scene, not only producing high quality music that blurs the lines with Progressive Metal and video game inspirations but also never being afraid to go toe to toe with other bands live. They have what it takes to win over crowds with ease so how about a second new song for 2026? Following the impressive “Nobody” the band offer up “The Great Unknown”, a cut which is billed as “An epic, hard-hitting progressive metal track that speaks openly about mental health; staring down the void and fighting through to reach the other side”…

…for this one guitarist pairing Mitchell Barlow and Elijah Storer are of course joined by bassist Jon Willingham, drummer Jackson Cann and vocalist Jade Maris, their unofficial sixth member being Matthew Jones at CapsArx Studios who handles all their orchestral programming. Vocal Production was handled by Ethan Vega with Barlow himself carrying out the mixing and mastering with Chris Brooker of Brooker Films filming and producing the music video.

As a band Vanitas have always had a great chemistry and over the duration of their career to date their skills in composition not to mention their musicianship has grown exponentially, something which has no doubt been a big part of their ascendancy as they play bigger and better stages across this green and pleasant land. As a quintet they poses a quality which makes them greater than the sum of their parts and everything they touch seems to turn to gold. That is something that comes across in their live appearances because while they’re just five humans who smile at each other, loving every moment they have together on stage, they have a charm to match their verve and swagger.

When it comes to their studio material Vanitas have long had the ability to do the unfathomable produce something a shade better than their previously released material with each new song they create. That is an incredibly rare quality to have and its reached the point where that can be very fine margins but they still poses the ability to blow the mind in unexpected ways and long may that continue. As a song “The Great Unknown” continues the quintet’s perpetual forward motion in every sense of those words as they bring all of the elements which make them who they are to the table and make them sound both captivating and enthralling.

Jade Maris has written a lyrical narrative which will resonate with anyone who has suffered from anxiety or depression while also being personal enough to give it the warmth of a hot cup of coffee from a hot coffee cup on a the morning after a sleepless night filled with worry and dread. The message isn’t one that screams woe is me with Nu-Metal vibes however, instead it breathes hope with an arena filling sing-a-long sensibility, lines like “Face the unknown, Until you find home!” creating something not only catchy but making you want to join in instinctively. From the soaring cleans to the harsh growls the vocals are as wonderful as ever, carrying the message with a heart felt, soul stirring quality that makes the song mean that much more. The reminder to let go of your frustrations or whatever else maybe dragging you down one we could all use from time to time.

Sonically the band push themselves with slick technically orientated riffage, chemically enhanced by the orchestration, pummelling percussion and rumbling bass, the pace and energy of the piece meaning that you don’t hear all the nuance in it on the first few spins simply because there is so much to enjoy. The melodic break in the final third is a nice touch, allowing a moment to breathe but cleverly instead of rising back to powerful crescendo, the band climb part way, pushing the aching melody as far as it can go while avoiding taking a more predictable route. In amongst it all there is vocal layering that works incredibly well as the quintet play with texture in light and shade and once more there is a growth in this which makes it stand a little bit taller than their previous work. This is absolutely stunning and if Vanitas aren’t signed to a label and touring the world let alone Europe very soon then it will be a huge surprise [10/10]

“The Great Unknown” by Vanitas is out 28th October 2026 and is available over at bandcamp.