Vanitas - Journey To The Sun

Kayleigh
Aug 21
3 min read

EP Name: Journey To The Sun Artist: Vanitas Released: August 2025 Rating: 8/10

Tracklist

In Absence of Light
Eclipse
Lucid Dreams
Your Demise
Behind The Mask
Journey To The Sun
Solaire

Vanitas explore themes of adventure, hope, hardship and triumph in brand new EP 'Journey To The Sun'. Prog metal outfit Vanitas have earned their place as one of the most exciting modern metal acts. The five-piece from Birmingham formed back in 2022 and in the past few years they have become known for their soaring melodies, cinematic production and immersive, maximalist production. The bands 2024 EP 'Chaos Theory' has gained over 70k streams and their brand new release 'Journey To The Sun' is on track to be just as popular if not even more so.

The seven-track EP is a high intensity piece that places the listener directly into the world of Vanitas. Introducing the tale is the atmospheric and captivating intro 'In Absence of Light' which uses haunting violins, a speech telling us the start of the adventure which we are away to embark on, and fast fired up guitars and strings that allow us to grasp the intense mission that's away to take place. Bursting into action the first full track on 'Journey Into The Sun' is 'Eclipse', immediately it throws Vanitas heavy, experimental mammoth sound at you. Quickly jumping from rough vocals and harsh guitars to an epic soaring chorus, the Birmingham five-piece don't hold back in showing you just what they are capable of right from the get-go. 'Lucid Dreams' comes in next and the previous single has a very fresh and modern tone to it. Very prog metal but with a light edge, this one builds the story in more of a melodic way than the previous track. It may be less in your face but 'Lucid Dreams' is also not taking a back seat on this EP, focusing more on intricacies and interesting melodies while still delivering a raw heaviness. Coming in with growls that'll grab anyone's attention 'Your Demise' comes in like the heaviest track on the EP and there's a ferociousness that's felt even within the softer vocals in the track. Even with it's heavier tones I would say a lot of 'Your Demise' has a catchy rock melody giving Vanitas large sound an almost radio friendly feel. A song that feels like a fight for freedom 'Behind The Mask' is a massive take on Vanitas sound. The chuggy guitars and light vocal melody that is filled with hope, take this story to a new level. This fiery track is complimented by the use of strings and more violins making it a truly cinematic experience. There's even a moment where all the extras are stripped away to reveal a gentle vocal melody and piano before it completely flips back into an even more monumental sound. The track 'Journey To The Sun' updates listeners as a little interlude. We are met with an inspiring speech that's backed by a historic sounding instrumental. This interlude transitions perfectly into the final track 'Solaire'. 'Solaire' is a beacon of hope, the pretty piano intro with gentle vocal melody is quickly met with powerful guitars that together deliver something that is uplifting. Ending on a high, the prog metallers further expand their sound by giving listeners something that is as equally heavy as it is interesting and filled with dreams.

I am always a massive fan of a concept EP, and 'Journey To The Sun' is easily one of the most immersive ones I have listened to in a while, the way it's constructed lets you completely feel like you are in the story, letting your imagination run with images of characters and their struggles or triumphs. Vanitas have created something that's not only great for the imagination but also for your ears, their modern take on prog metal is packed with just about everything they can fit in yet it all fits together like puzzle pieces that belong. I've been a fan of this band for a little while now so I am very excited to be recommending this inspiring new EP to all of you heavy music fans.