Vesseles - Home

Labels: Self-Released

Formats: Vinyl/CD/Digital

Release Date: 16 Jan 2026

Tracklist:

1. Flesh Throne

2. Eternally Within Us

3. The Beneath

4. Home

5. They Wither...

6. Until They Are Dust

7. Scriptures Etched Into the Mind's Pillars

8. Perpetual Chasm of Black Mirrors

9. This Is Not Home

So I've finally twigged that when I share blog updates on Instagram, they also get automatically posted on Threads, which means I no longer need to post separately on the latter (I'm going for maximum social media reach this year apparently!). 

My technical ineptitude and self-deprecation aside, the approach is working as interaction and blog visits are on the rise. That can only be a good thing, especially for the bands I cover, including US symphonic black metallers Vesseles.

The Californian quartet released their debut album Home in January, consisting of nine songs and it follows their 2024 EP I Am A Demon. They draw influence from the likes of Cradle of Filth, Dimmu Borgir and Septic Flesh.

Like death metal, black metal takes on many forms. From the raw black metal associated with the genre’s origins to the more melodic reaches of sub genres like post-black metal or blackgaze, there’s always something for every listener. Symphonic elements like choral singing and piano or synths have long been close bedfellows too and they’re used here to great effect. Album opener ‘Flesh Throne’ actually sounds a lot more theatrical musically than it should, given the extremity of Vesseles. The percussion, guitar work and harsh vocals are all delivered with such purpose. Even when cleanly sung passages and the session piano of Antonio Giardina take the lead (as it does throughout the album), they’re swiftly followed by extra intensity.

‘Eternally Within Us’ sees the clean passages increase as a chorus of sinister chants from The Vicken Studios Orchestra add more intrigue to what’s laid down by Vesseles. The kick drumming pummels here but there’s also a real sense of how different percussive tempos can add atmosphere. That’s a real takeaway for me here as two musical worlds collide and proceed to dance in perfect harmony. There are so many subtly progressive touches on this album and they become more evident on ‘The Beneath’, where the piano key changes reflect the dark movements of the music, thankfully refraining from the usual corny fantasy-like melodies. I’m on board with everything so far, which I honestly didn’t think I would say. 

Title song ‘Home’ initially presents itself as a striking ballad complete with lovely clean dual-vocals and keys, before Vesseles whisk you back into more familiar territory. As with all of their song so far, it’s expansive across its entire timespan. ‘They Wither…’ is the perfect orchestral interlude to lead into what is a more urgent latter half starting with ‘Until They Are Dust’, which sees the black metal take the spotlight as it sits front and centre. It’s up there as the standout track here for me.

’Scriptures Etched Into the Mind’s Pillars’ retains the urgency and builds with melody that flows all the way through, even during the periods of dissonant barbarity. It’s over all too quickly, which just goes to show how proficient and enjoyable the music is. That’s the case throughout the entire record too. Penultimate song ‘Perpetual Chasm of Black Mirrors’ follows a very brief yet unnecessary pause, leading you into a sometimes grimier, sometimes artier version of what Vesseles and accomplices can create.

Closing with ’This Is Not Home’, there’s a real sense that you’re coming to the end of a journey filled with inward and existential reflection. Once again clean singing prevails, coupled with demonic growls and expansive instrumentation. It’s a hell of an ending and end it does, on a dime. While it’s still cold and dark in the UK, the warming embrace of black metal is comforting. Home is an album you’ll be glad you have given your attention to, if you haven’t already/ Hopefully, there will be more to come from Vesseles in the future.

You can stream and purchase Home on all formats from Vesseles below:-

Vesseles - https://www.facebook.com/vesseles