The band’s leaders have long lorded over the demons of underground metal, but VLTIMAS rose to truly epic extremes on their new album. “…lives up to their reputation as extreme metal’s leading lights”, wrote Metal Hammer, who named “Epic”one of the best albums of 2024.
This year, VLTIMAS are adding another devilish tale to their legend when they tour North America for the very first time. As the band plot to scorch faithful followers from coast to coast with fellow demigods Septicflesh and Ex Deo, today, they’re issuing another grand declaration with a punishing new video for their latest manifesto.
After three decades on the throne, even the most Satanic rulers are guilty of sitting back and admiring their dirty work. But VLTIMAS are still doing the devil’s work. “Mephisto Manifesto” declares their unholy dominion over extreme metal. “I’m righting all their wrongs”, Evil D growls with righteous disdain at his lesser demons. His captors may put a stop to his grand plan in the song’s devious video, but the closing solo from Rune Eriksen seals the band’s oath to extreme excellence in blood.
“We are teaming up with our metal brothers SepticFlesh and Ex Deo for VLTIMAS’ first-ever North American Tour next month”, says David Vincent. “We look we look forward to sharing our strength and misery with our friends and fans. This indeed will be EPIC!”
“Epic” boldy declares that VLTIMAS aren’t content with merely living among the lords of chaos. Though written amongst the many comforts of Vincent’s Texas ranch (long walks, plenty of booze) “Epic”is dark, extreme and unrelenting. Everyone gets to flex their muscles. Rune rips off fiery riffs from all angles on blistering lead single “Miserere”. Though it starts off as a slow burn, Flo blazes through “Scorcher” with blast beats that are so wickedly precise they belong in a museum. David’s growl could still summon underground hordes to the alter of madness, but “Invictus” rolls out a new style of death metal vocals.
“I’ll not be blinded and I’ll never be for sale”, he sings with a grizzled battle cry.
But “Epic”amounts to a heck of a lot more than just the sum of VLTIMAS’ devilish talents. It’s a testament to everything these underground heroes have stood for the past 30 years: crushing speed, surgical precession, strength in one’s own convictions.
