Vaticinal Rites - Vaticinal Rites EP

Labels: Caligari Records/Dry Cough Records/Redefining Darkness Records

Formats: CD/Tape/Digital

Release Date: 12 Nov 2021

Tracklist:

1. Dysphoria

2. Telekinetic Blood Ritual

3. Burning Elysium

4. Flesh Portal

It's been a little while since I've championed a Dry Cough Records release here. Dry Cough helped to release the debut EP from UK death metal band Vaticinal Rites, alongside US labels Caligari Record and Redefining Darkness Records last November. Four songs from a three-piece (four including the session drummer) that have been getting plenty of praise from the Youtube community. They're in the process of writing their debut full-length too, so it's the perfect time to get acquainted with their sound.

There’s always been a great history of UK death metal, just like there has been with doom (which is where Dry Cough Records made it’s name, kind of). Bringing another new death metal band to the fore was always going to be on the cards, alongside the awesome Slimelord, Visions From Beyond et al. Vaticinal Rites begin with the suspense inducing opener ‘Dysphoria’, which is a short and ambient-filled intro that leads into ‘Telekinetic Blood Ritual’. It’s a proper dirty death metal song. Not too br00tal and with just enough old-school murkiness to make it stand out in a scene that’s overdone slam breakdowns (at least for now). 

‘Burning Elysium’ is filled with thrash vibes initially, before the gutturals and pinch harmonics take over. Fast-paced unlike your so-called “work environment” and truly groove-laden, Vaticinal Rites know exactly what they’re doing. This really doesn’t sound like a debut at all. It’s way too accomplished. Closing song ‘Flesh Portal’ takes succinct death metal to an eye-watering level. Everything about this EP raises the bar; from the accurate and authoritative percussion, the rumbling low-end bass, the more than skilful rhythm/lead guitar work and the dual-pitched vocals. The production and mixing/mastering is also well worth a mention, especially when you consider that the recording process took place at three different locations. It all sounds so together.

Vaticinal Rites have put together a frankly incredible debut EP here. I can’t want to hear the debut album when it’s released. Once again, the bar of modern day UK death metal is raised. Let’s see what the rest of you have got!

You can stream the debut EP and purchase it digitally, and physically from Vaticinal Rites below:-

Vaticinal Rites - https://www.facebook.com/vaticinalrites

Physical CD/Tape copies can also be purchased from the labels below:-

Caligari Records - https://caligarirecords.storenvy.com/

Dry Cough Records - https://www.drycoughrecords.com/

Redefining Darkness Records - https://redefiningdarkness.8merch.com

Caligari Records - https://www.facebook.com/CaligariRecords

Dry Cough Records - https://www.facebook.com/DryCoughRecords

Redefining Darkness Records - https://www.facebook.com/redefiningdarkness