Veiled - The Black Rite - Metal Epidemic

Veiled – The Black Rite (EP)
Release Date: 14th April 2023
Label: Seek & Strike
Pre-Save
Genre: Deathcore, Symphonic, Blackened.
FFO: Thy Art is Murder, Chelsea Grin, Lorna Shore.
Review By: Mark Young

The first thing that strikes you as this kicks in, is just how big it sounds. It sounds massive, and represents what I believe is a modern approach to heavy metal. It has those keys working in the background to provide the necessary melody that works with the heavy riffing that is front and centre.

Elsewhere, the promised huge breakdowns are there and they are massive. One can imagine what they will be like live, because in that environment they will grow as the audience gets into it.

The Discovering (I) kicks off with a piano passage, as the drums join suddenly the song itself boots in, blasting off without forgetting the melody behind it. It is massive and is completed with a sing along moment before the break hits. This is a strong start.

Recusant keeps it going, with a nailed on crowd pleasing scream along, the symphonic part is pushed here, and it reminds me of an epic final boss fight. Again, it’s really strong stuff.

Confession acts as the breathing point here, it is probably the weakest one here in comparison to the two before and the two bangers that follow it. It is still a good track, don’t get me wrong, it’s just not as good as the other four (sorry, lads).

New single Relinquished just absolutely batters you and should be epic for them. It combines that tried and tested scream / sing motif and does it very well. Musically, it has everything a young metal fan would want: crushing guitar, melody and some truly guttural growls. The best is that it whips along at a great pace, too, so something for everyone.

The Becoming opens with piano before dropping in the riffs. The keys again really working to bring a counterpoint to the guitar, as it is a soft arrangement against the muscular riffs and accompanying spider lines. This is a release that is heavy on the melodic approach without missing off the heaviness required.

I think I have said this before, that my generation is a bit removed from the current state of UK metal, that’s the way it should be, too. They should be massive, as they have the songs (at least for this EP) that show they have the craft to take this genre and make it theirs. It sounds great, fresh, and should keep the UK Scene going. Live, these should grow further as the crowd gets into it and Veiled draw from that reaction. Getting involved now as they start this phase is advisable, because you will miss out, as they are on the cusp of great things.