Vermilion Dawn - VVitch Den (Review)

“VVitch Den” by Vermilion Dawn is a record I had my eyes on for a long time, sadly I couldn’t cover it immediately during the release in June. The mesmerizing artwork caught my attention in the first place - a very calming color palate with mountains and valleys with its dark cloud adding a bit of melancholy to it. It instantly reminded me of Inanimate Existence’s “A Never Ending Cycle of Atonement” and I was expecting Vermilion Dawn to be tech-death. Well, it did subvert my expectation, and for a good reason.

<a href="https://vermiliondawn.bandcamp.com/album/vvitch-den">VVitch Den by Vermilion Dawn</a>

Vermilion Dawn combines technical songwriting with ambient passages of atm black-metal, resulting in a very atmospheric environment for the album. “VVitch Den” seems to be a concept album (which I hope it is) since the only way to enjoy it fully is to go through the record from start to finish. Interconnected tracks like “Blood Coven” and “Moonlight Passage” are connected seamlessly which feels like a carefully woven story, and the band wants you to stick to that.

The intro track “Dead Harbor” is a melody-driven track, aided by sonic elements. While guitars and drums bleed in for complete obliteration, it never feels overdone with technical proficiency. The beautiful proggy-jazzy guitar lead lines are hypnotic, accounting for one of the best tracks off the album. “Blood Caven” and “Moonlight Passage” doesn’t miss a beat to pick up speed and blasts of technical riffs and drumming. Vocals on the record range from powerful lows, in the deathcore-ish style, to fast articulation of passages at insane high pitches.

Tracks like “Flesh Bore” manage to be groovy while having a major portion filled with captivating ethereal passages. “Usurper” is the only track that feels closer to deathcore, in terms of song structure. The final track “Where Twilight Fades” manages to combine everything special about the record for the final time.

The mix of the album is along the lines of a modern tech-death record, a closer and more eccentric mix that feels more personal and ear-friendly. While the production could be slightly increased, I cannot complain either - the drums have an organic sound to them which I absolutely love. The bassline flows like magic and sounds absolutely majestic. Also, the atmosphere and world-building are perfect on the record.

VVitch Den is a record that showcases proficient song-writing in an engrossing manner. As stated earlier, Vermilion Dawn did subvert my expectation with their interesting take on tech death, and it's fascinating.