PRESS RELEASE:
Progressive death metal trio VILE RITES will unleash their full-length debut, Senescence, August 16th via Carbonized Records.
VILE RITES uses a hypnotic amalgamation of aggressive riffing, swirling rhythms, wide dynamic range, and dark psychedelic ambience to take the listener on a cerebral journey into the esoteric. Drawing inspiration from events in nature, VILE RITES creates a visceral and kaleidoscopic experience that feels like wandering alone in the forest at night.
The VILE RITES name and idea was originally conceived in early 2017 in Portland, Oregon by vocalist/guitarist Alex Miletich. In this early stage of the band, the music had more of a thrash focus, harkening to the pioneers of tech thrash, such as Coroner and Annihilator and the only other member was Miletich’s long-time friend and bandmate, Tyler Becker (Toxic Holocaust).
After relocating to Santa Rosa, California in 2018, and parting ways with Becker, Miletich began searching for new members to complete the band. During this period of transition, Miletich also picked up a seven-string guitar and started taking the compositions in a heavier direction, discarding the material written in Portland. After writing some of the material that would end up on The Ageless EP, Miletich met drummer Aerin Johnson in mid-2019 and they began fleshing out the songs. The band’s lineup was finally completed with the addition of Stephen Coon on bass and synth in early 2020, just as the COVID pandemic shut the world down. The pandemic brought the band’s progress to a screeching halt, and everything was essentially put on pause until they were able to meet in person again later that year, finally able to hammer out the finishing touches on the EP.
In 2021, the band entered Earhammer Studio with Bay Area legend, Greg Wilkinson, to record their debut EP, The Ageless. After a well-received release through underground label, Desert Wastelands Productions, VILE RITES began making live appearances up and down the West Coast and immediately started working on their debut full length album, Senescence. After two years of grinding away, VILE RITES returned to the familiar Earhammer Studio to work with Wilkinson again. By spending more time in the studio this time around, the band was able to actualize their true vision for VILE RITES.
Senescence is a forty-minute journey of mind-bending psychedelic death metal that takes its listeners through everything from cavernous darkness to soaring ethereal ecstasy with surprises around every corner.
In advance of the record’s release, the band has unveiled first single, “Shiftless Wanderings.” Elaborates Miletich, “‘Shiftless Wanderings’ is inspired by the idea of hibernation and retreating within to escape the brutality and harshness of reality and the world. When an animal goes into hibernation in the wild, it chooses between facing the harsh elements, or solitary starvation for months on end. They must strike a balance between the two in order to survive. This idea of escapism applies to us humans, especially in the unprecedented times we live in these days. While we must face the realities of the real world, it is necessary to retreat sometimes for the sake of our own sanity. One must strike the same balance that the wild animal does to both be a contributing member of society and to cope with the heinous brutality and cold apathy that our society perpetuates. The music for this song represents a transition for the band because it includes many riffs written by our drummer, Aerin Johnson. Since I wrote all the riffs on The Ageless EP, this song gives everyone a taste of the broader influence and increased dynamics that will be presented.”
Stream VILE RITES’ “Shiftless Wanderings” at THIS LOCATION.
Senescence features stunning cover art by Justyna Koziczak with logo, additional art, and album title lettering by Karmazid.
The record will be released on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find US preorders HERE, EU preorders HERE, and digital preorders HERE.
Fans of Opeth, Gorguts, At The Gates, and '70s prog, psychedelic, and experimental music, pay heed.
Senescence Track Listing:
1. Only Silence Follows
2. Senescent
3. Shiftless Wanderings
4. Ephemeral Reverie Of Eroded Dreams
5. Transcendent Putrefaction
6. Banished To Solitude (Adrift On The Infinite Waves)
VILE RITES Live:
7/19/2024 Til-Two - San Diego, CA
7/20/2024 Supply And Demand - Long Beach, CA
7/21/2024 Deadstock Fest - Atascadero, CA
7/22/2024 Heshers Pizza - Oakland, CA
7/23/2024 Cafe Colonial - Sacramento, CA
7/24/2024 John Henry’s - Eugene, OR
7/25/2024 High Watermark - Portland, OR
7/26/2024 El Corazón - Seattle, WA
7/27/2024 Ray’s Golden Lion - Richland, WA
7/28/2024 Overkill Lounge - Tacoma, WA
VILE RITES:
Alex Miletich - guitars, vocals
Stephen Coon - bass, synth, field recordings
Aerin Johnson - drums
https://www.instagram.com/vile_rites
https://www.facebook.com/VileRites
https://carbonizedrecords.com
https://carbonizedrecordseu.com
https://carbonizedrecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/Carbonized-Records
