Viogression Thaumaturgic Veil Review
Viogression
Thaumaturgic Veil
Self-released
2025
Milwaukee has a pretty decent list of notable metal accomplishments, mainly the Milwaukee Metalfest which was THE extreme metal shindig to go to back in the day and it has since returned. Aside from that, you have underground stalwarts like Jungle Rot, Morbid Saint, the Electric Hellfire Club and Lazarus A.D. calling the cheese capital of the US home. Well, veterans Viogression also hail from the land of the Brewers and have thrown their hat into the ring with their latest self-released NINETEEN song long player, Thaumaturgic Veil.
According to the album’s press release, “Thaumaturgic Veil is a metaphysical sonic construct, weaving intricate threads of human consciousness, vibrational frequency, and esoteric intent into a tapestry that transcends the boundaries of death metal.” Hmmm. Ok? I'm not quite sure what all of that means, other than to say it's pretty heady stuff lyrically, and that's a good thing in my estimation because the brand of death metal on display here tends to tread the ground of gore, zombies, Satan, etc. I respect the fact that they are stepping outside of the genre’s trappings and doing something a bit more cerebral.
The production is crisp and clear, and nothing ever gets lost in a muddy, bass heavy mix or sounds like a wall of bees due to turning the distortion up to 10. These guys are all accomplished players and instrumentally proficient and this lends itself to the listening experience over so many songs to never grow tiresome or feel like a chore. We are dealing with old school death metal that harkens back to early 90’s - Death and Obituary’s first three records, especially vocally. They aren't just culling from the swamps of Florida here though. There are dissonant moments and melodic passages in quite a few tunes that also recall Testimony era Pestilence, and elsewhere you can hear tips of the cap to Autopsy’s brutish renderings. These guys wear their influences on their sleeves for sure, but they add enough of their own touch on them to not sound like just a carbon copy, due in no small part to the expensive soundscapes, samples and spoken word pieces throughout the album. Thaumaturgic Veil is mainly rooted conceptually in infinity and after spinning it, I can confidently say that it warrants repeat listens within that construct. Lose yourself in their disturbing and forward-thinking nostalgia death trip. It's a scary place to be certain, but it makes the old guard proud and creates something fresh and exciting. It's an engaging ride full of mournful drones, caveman grooves and a swirling maelstrom of left of center weirdness. Great stuff.
Recommended tracks: Enûma Elish Ilū, Jinx, Travesty of Darkness, Pummeled, Eaten By Flies, Light Harvester
~TB