VILE RITES: Progressive Death Metal Trio Unveils “Only Silence Follows” Video; Senescence Full-Length Out Now Carbonized Records

Progressive death metal trio VILE RITES is pleased to unveil their video for “Only Silence Follows.” The track comes off their Senescence full-length, released earlier this month on 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.

Guitarist/vocalist Alex Miletich elaborates, “‘Only Silence Follows’ is inspired by the relationship between predator and prey in nature. The constant anxiety of the prey, and the constant hunger of the predator. The first half of the song focuses on the suspense the prey feels as they are frozen with fear from the killer lurking in darkness while the second half of the song dives into the idea of the acceptance of death and the fact that the predator must kill to survive. While it is difficult to sum up every way that I internalize the symbolism of this dichotomy, I think the overarching idea is fear versus acceptance and understanding. While the relationship between predator and prey is often perceived as brutal and it is easy to villainize the predator, our human perceptions cannot always be imposed on the world around us. The predator and prey are dependent upon each other to continue the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. We are just as much a part of this ‘Yin and Yang’ relationship as any animal, and we often forget that our human nature is just as brutal as that of the lion or wolf.”

Watch VILE RITES’ “Only Silence Follows” video at THIS LOCATION.

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 longtime 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. The record features stunning cover art by Justyna Koziczak with logo, additional art, and album title lettering by Karmazid.

Senescence is available on CD, LP, cassette, and digital formats. Find US orders HERE, EU orders HERE, and digital orders HERE.

Fans of Opeth, Gorguts, At The Gates, and ’70s prog, psych, and experimental music, pay heed.

Clocking in around the forty-minute mark, the songs on Senescence become progressively more ambitious the further into the album the listener goes, ending on the one-two punch of ‘Transcendent Putrefaction’ and ‘Banished To Solitude.’ While still rooted in the expected death metal, both tracks explore dynamics and incorporate softer parts that slow VILE RITES down and allow the band to revel in the atmosphere (and guitar solos) they’ve created.” – Decibel Magazine

“VILE RITES had already foreshadowed a world class effort with their debut EP and in that sense Senescence doesn’t disappoint for a second. They’ve gone from somewhat stiff-jointed ‘old school’-tinted progressive death insight towards something decidedly more present in its voice and purposed in movement. To say they’ve come into their own here just yet might be presumptuous, I’m not sure they’re done peeling back all of the layers but, here they’ve managed to sort out one of the best death metal records of the year.” — Mystification ‘Zine 

“Loaded with mind-bending stanky riffs, soaring solos, and glistening proggy diversions, Senescence is a must-listen for all fans of the OSDM revival movement…” – Angry Metal Guy

“Senescence is satisfying and enjoyable. It’s a record that provides a rich deathly landscape for the listener to explore. There’s a wealth of depth and detailing to work your way through as the band’s music washes over you with progressive grace.” – Wonderbox Metal

“…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.” – Metal Temple

“While not as progressive as some of their contemporaries, VILE RITES is still a band that knows how to keep listeners on their toes through a mix of technical and progressive riffing. The level of musicianship on the album is obviously high, and with Senescent, the band has offered the death metal community a taste of what is to come for, hopefully, many years.” – Metal Epidemic

VILE RITES:
Alex Miletich – guitars, vocals
Stephen Coon – bass, synth, field recordings
Aerin Johnson – drums

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