EP Review: Vivid Dark - "Usurper"

Tracklist

1. Ephemeral
2. Daedalus
3. The Brace of Pneuma
4. By Deceiver, Beguiled
5. Damnatio Memoriae

Review

Technical death metal act Vivid Dark released their 5-track EP "Usurper" on November 22nd. The first track "Ephemeral" starts off with bright, climbing guitar leads in a classic tech-death fashion that quickly establishes a brutally destructive atmosphere. Explosively heavy growls work alongside impressive guitar riffs to create a crushing sound that is balanced by melodic instrumentals. Racing blast beats set a rapid pace for the track that furthers the songs technicality. Soaring guitar solos are followed by distant guitar chugging, creating intricate layers of contrast.

"Daedalus" bursts into action with a crazily fast drum fill before catapulting listeners into thrashing riffs and signature death metal vocals. Vivid Dark showcases an impressive level of musicianship with impossibly fast drums, intense guitar leads, and inhuman vocals. The band's technical sound reminds us of tech-death giants like Rings of Saturn and Infant Annihilator. After a bright solo with hectic leads bouncing in the background of the soundscape, "Daedalus" launches back into lightning-fast blast beats before fading into silence.

"The Brace of Pneuma" starts off with all the chaotic sweep-picking you could ask for, furthering the band's hugely technical elements in their music. We really enjoy how Vivid Dark creates a wildly heavy death metal sound while using less chugging than a traditional tech-death song—effectively making their music stand out with a higher emphasis on technical instrumentals while still staying heavy in an unorthodox and unique way.

Track 4 "By Deceiver, Beguiled" jumps into an immediate guitar solo with dark and haunting melodies followed by racing blast beats, goblin-esque vocals, and a stronger focus on intensity and unrelenting heaviness rather than melody (although there is still an exciting amount of bright leads). With ominous that at points reminded us of acts like Lorna Shore, Vivid Dark showcases their impressive musicianship and brutally destruction. The track ends with a thumping bass solo.

The final track of the EP, "Damnatio Memoriae" wastes no time, taking off with blast beats, ferocious guitar riffs, and distant pizzicato strings adding orchestral elements into the mix. After a sample layer over a thrashing bridge, the song transitions into an exciting guitar solo before moving into a chunky finale filled with rhythmic double bass drumming and emphasized strings. "Damnatio Memoriae" is the only track without vocals, yet their technical sound translates incredibly well to instrumental-only also, keeping things interesting and varied throughout.

Fans of technical death metal, black metal, and deathcore will certainly enjoy Vivid Dark's mix of soul-crushing heaviness and instrumental shreddage. You can stream "Usurper" out on all platforms now!

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