From their EPK, “VILE RITES is a three-piece Progressive Death Metal entity that 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, they create a visceral and kaleidoscopic experience that feels like wandering alone in the forest at night. “Senescence” is a 40-minute journey of mind bending psychedelic death metal that takes the listener through everything from cavernous darkness to soaring ethereal ecstasy with surprises around every corner.”

“Only Silence Follows” is the first song. The opening tones are slow and dark, and the gutturals that follow are horrid. Soon enough, the pace quickens, and the band shows their high sense of technicality. “Senescent” is another deep rumbler, and I do hear some Progressive elements, but they take a second seat to the more technical side of the band. There are also not a lot of surprises as they indicate in the bio, but that dark passage that concludes the song is nifty. “Shiftless Wanderings” has a cavernous groove to it, the kind that makes you want to get up and break things. This song uses more Progressive elements, especially in the meter, and the band shows their versatility.

“Ephemeral Reverie if Eroded Dreams” is a brief interlude, allowing the listener to catch his breath between the hardened slabs of Death Metal. The sound is mysterious, and I must admit, I want to hear more of this on the album. “Transcendent Putrefaction” is a lengthy nine minute song, allowing the band to explore more of their palate. The groove is both ardent and bossy, and it’s this type of expansion where you can really get a sense of the band’s songwriting and talent. The dark and slow instrumental passage bring an air of evil to the table, and I picture a nefarious figure manipulating things behind the veil of clouds.

The 11-minute “Banished to Solitude (Adrift on the Infinite Waves)” closes the album, and I have to admit, the album is getting stronger as it moves. The band seems more focused now, and also embrace some experimentation, while still clinging to the roots of the genre. Overall, this was an impressive display of technical and progressive death metal that didn’t stray too far from the path, but just far enough to allow the listener to gain a greater understanding of the possibilities that are out there.