Vortex – The Future Remains In Oblivion
Release Date: 9th June 2023
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Death Metal, Symphonic Death Metal.
FFO: Shadow of Intent, Gojira, Fleshgod Apocalypse.
Review By: Andy Spoon
Symphonic death metal outfit Vortex are set to release their 2023 LP The Future Remains In Oblivion on June 9th through their own efforts. Apocalyptic and misanthropic, the dread of the coming end of the earth is the central theme of The Future Remains In Oblivion, an apt title. Make no mistake, Vortex is on a mission to create a product which has a very specific purpose, which is to match extremely-specific subject matter with symphonic death metal, something that needs to be understood on the outset when listening to The Future Remains in Oblivion.
I think that being able to get into the lyrics of any death metal offering is important, something that I appreciated when I got the media packet for the release. A big part of the album is the themes which pervade the whole enterprise, so to speak. Vortex is clearly making a statement about the fear of impending death for the planet from inside and outside forces, citing the possibility of solar flares and perpetual winters, to the violence of humanity in its worst forms destroying our world through war and pestilence. I think that it’s cohesive and consistent in delivering its message, which is that we, as humanity, must face the doom that awaits us, one way or another.
The Future Remains In Oblivion is a concept album which follows something similar to a world-ending event. There is a central character, through whom most of the “story” is told across the album. One of the things that make the album fun is that Vortex wants the listener to see the horror of post-civilized humanity through a specific lens, a survivor and idealist who wishes to repel the worst of humanity inside a secret city built to house the best of humanity. There are numerous tie-ins to Noah’s Ark and The Matrix (City of Zion). The rest of the album follows the remnant of humanity staving off death while the world crumbles around them.
From a thematic standpoint, I liken it to Cattle Decapitation, Cytotoxin, and Gojira. After all, the greatest thing to fear is that which is real, not from horror movies, right? I like to think that extreme metal tends to draw from the fantastical and the hyperbolous. Yet, Vortex et al. love to bring the fear of what we all tend to see in the news, the street, or talk about in public. Some of those issues are environmental degradation, political violence, and the threat of nuclear war, ending all civilization on earth as we know it. Why not illustrate the existential (literal) fears as a matter of extremity through music’s most extreme media? I personally think that eco-death metal is the most fascinating sub-sub-subgenre in the scene right now.
The music borrows from several genres, including modern extreme metal, progressive death metal, black metal, and of course, symphonic death metal. The overwhelming majority of the album contains huge symphonic sections which have a very natural and organic sound, unlike the progenitors of the genre (Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth), making the album much more listenable, or even palatable. Listening to the native instruments that are available to bands today is amazing once you consider that only around 20 years has gone by since we’ve been exposed to the style. Given that the album was self-released, the quality is remarkable. Vortex ought to be commended for the overall quality of the symphonics and synth work.
The breakdowns are huge in places. There are big moments where the influences pour through, but are blended with giant choral arrangements and symphonics. It’s absolutely like something out of a Lord of the Rings movie. I love the melodies, the harmonics, and the guitar solos. This is absolutely an album which ought to be part of your listening rotation this month. I was genuinely impressed with quite a bit of the entire album. I think that when you look at this album, the absolute banger of the title tack is 100% worth several spins with the blackened guitar riffs and tremendous choral arrangements.
Overall, The Future Remains In Oblivion is an album which deserves a dedicated hour of your time, as it’s absolutely worth the spin. If you want to absorb a genuinely-well-made symphonic death album, you have that. If you want to add to an eco-death playlist, this has got it. If you’re trying to get deep into concept albums that have storytelling elements, this album has got that at its core. No matter what your ideal death metal album is, the quality and thoughtfulness of this album is worth consideration, as it is just as entertaining as it is thought-provoking and thematic.
Best Track – The Future Remains In Oblivion
(4 / 5)
