Photo Credit – Giuseppe Calvinisti
Rimouski, Quebec’s Vortex, has their highly anticipated concept EP, “Alien Realms,” being unleashed on April 11th, and before it officially drops, they have teamed up with Decibel Magazine for its full stream premiere HERE.
“Alien Realms” is a four-track journey through cosmic horror and discovery that showcases the band at their most refined, combining massive orchestral elements with soaring epic melodies and relentless, aggressive riffing. Keeping with the style present in the previous two records, this orchestral blackened death tells a wicked tale of humanity venturing into space in search of intelligent life. The band comments on the record:
“This is a Blackened Death EP that blends massive orchestral elements, soaring epic melodies, and relentless, aggressive riffing. On this new EP, we doubled down on what worked best in our previous album, ‘The Future Remains in Oblivion.’ If you’re into massive orchestras and melodies blended with aggressive riffs and Blackened Death vocals, then ‘Alien Realms’ is for you.”
The EP features a carefully crafted sequence of tracks: “When Humans Defy the Void”, “Haunting the Abyss”, “Ripping The Threads Of Reality”, and “Where Wonders Dwell”. Each song serves as a chapter in the band’s exploration of humanity’s search for intelligent life among the stars.
The band approached this EP with a clear vision; the music and lyrics work together to build intensity and emotion as the story unfolds. It represents the next evolution in Vortex‘s sound, building upon the foundation laid by their previous releases while pushing into new territorial extremes. The EP seamlessly blends the band’s technical death metal roots with expanded orchestral elements and black metal influences, creating their most ambitious and fully realized work to date. It is recommended for fans of Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dimmu Borgir, and Cradle of Filth.
Fans in Eastern Canada will also have a chance to see Vortex live. They will be touring with France’s XAON in April (dates listed below) and then Europe in the fall.
Music Video “Haunting the Abyss” (directed by Chris Kells (The Agonist)) – https://youtu.be/bxIiP9VVWSQ
Due out on April 11, 2025, “Alien Realms” is available for pre-order at https://vortexband.bandcamp.com
Track Listing:
1. When Humans Defy the Void – 5:03
2. Haunting the Abyss – 5:26
3. Ripping the threads of Reality – 4:10
4. Where Wonders Dwell – 3:00
EP Length: 17:40
Symphony For The Dead Tour – Vortex + XAON (QC, ON, NB)
April 15 – Montreal, QC – Le Petit Campus ***
April 16 – Edmundston, NB – Ateepic *
April 17 – Saint John, NB – Haven Music Hall and Cafe *
April 18 – Moncton, NB – Xeroz *
April 19 – Rimouski, QC – Coop Le Paradis *
April 22 – Ottawa, ON – The Rainbow
April 23 – Drummondville, QC – La Ste-Paix ****
April 24 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti ****
April 25 – Saguenay, QC – Microbrasserie Port-Alfred
April 26 – Trois-Rivieres, QC – L’Entite **
* Omnivide
** Strigampire
*** Ulfhednar
**** Burning Attic
Vortex is:
Simon Desjardins (Bass)
Mathieu Duguay (Guitars, Orchestrations)
Alexandre Labrie (Vocals)
Dany Lévesque (Guitars)
Olivier Harrisson (Drums)
For more info (Official Website, Socials, Videos, Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music): https://linktr.ee/vortexband