Vile Rites is a progressive death metal band from California, who formed in 2017. “Senescence,” is their debut full-length, following “The Ageless” EP from 2022.
“Senescence,” is an interesting extreme album. Obviously it's death metal so it's heavy but it's layered with psychedelic tendencies built on top of a progressive structure that is sitting on top of a death metal foundation.
If that seems like a lot that's because, we'll, it is. However the music isn't cluttered or a cacophony of noises. The solid production and mix is vibrant enough to capture the band's sound and their songwriting is clever enough to make songs that sound focused even though they tend to walk off the beaten path. Although it has the perfect runtime of 40 mins, there are only 6 songs and one of those is a short interlude so ill say a little about each song.
The use of clean, murky instrumentation in the beginning of the opening song “Only Silence Follows” is interesting as it keeps the psychosis up with an air of mystery. As the distortion and death growls appear, the bass takes over the atmospheric opening. The song builds from here, eventually culminating to a pulverizing section. The prog comes after, each instrument taking a different path to the same ending of brutal double bass and a mind melting solo.
“Senescent” is one of the most intense songs On the album. The drumming in particular Sets an insane playing field. If the drums drive the heavier parts, the bass takes control over the moody, cleaner part which almost seems to exist in their own dimension.
“Shiftless Wonderings” begins moody as the drums prepare for the coming madness. When the bass rises above it, the song becomes surreal in a way but definitely more nightmare than dreamy. The clean fury ends in a clean section of melodic bass and gentle guitar tones.
“Ephemeral Reverie Of Eroded Dreams,” is a short but sweet instrumental that bridges the gap to the final half of the album. I don't always see the point of interludes on albums but this one makes sense in context of the album is atmospheric and otherworldly, making its placement in the album perfect.
“Transcendent Putrefaction,” is a total mindfuck, what with the bass walking around the ambient sounds. The drumming controls the chaos, although it threatens to unleash its own insanity. Around the 3:28 mark, alien soundscapes enter the fray, the journey into an unknown Abyss swallowing all the light. The seconds grow more terrifying but the return to the death metal only offers respite in the form of being shredded.
The final song is the 11 minute monster epic “Banished To Solitude (Adrift On The Infinite Waves),” which spends nearly six minutes being the most violent part of the album. Afterwards tt turns into a weird but highly engaging combination of ethereal space death psychosis. A progressive structure that is quite moving, complete with an amazing solo, closes the album.
Vile Rites “Senescence” is a death metal album that is as alien as it is punishing. A journey into the heart of darkness never sounded So good or alluring.
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