Just when 2015 appeared ready to cease dropping blackened death albums full of occult and death oriented themes, Vicivus comes along to caress 2015 right in Satan’s balls. Rite of Ascension achieves the descriptor of a “sprawling work of blackened death metal” despite being barely over twenty-three minutes. The EP ebbs and flows with chaotic function and, in the end, leaves the listener comatose and begging for more.

United Kingdom’s Vicivus has one LP to their credit. Released last year, Dawn of Chaos, received little attention despite the bands stellar lineup. Consisting of a mish-mosh of members ans ex-members of Wodensthrone, Horrified, Plague Rider and Warbastard Vicivus is no band of slouches. Now, with the support of an actual label (Hellthrasher), they have found a way to get their music to the masses. And that couldn’t be better news for the masses. Rite of Ascension is a gloriously dark work.

Vicivus takes a formula for blackened death that has long worked well, chaotic guitars, deep vocals, blistering drums and adds a surprisingly clean bass tone (think Horrendous) and some technically proficient and shockingly melodic guitar solos. The combination is a winning one as Vacivus’ tracks whirl in formulated chaos. And, in classic rock and roll fashion, the entire EP was recorded live in one day.

Their Bandcamp bio says it best, “[r]ecommended for fans of Necros Christos, Grave Miasma and Incantation” (although I would add the recent releases by Adversarial and Shrine of Insabalis as well). A startlingly accurate list of similar artists. And since everyone is into those bands people should absolutely check out Vacivus. Rites of Ascension is a peek into what should be a promising and forward thinking career.

– Manny-O-War

Rite of Ascension will be available 9.25.2015 from Hellthrasher Productions. For more information on Vacivus check out their Facebook Page.