Viogression | Thaumaturgic Veil | Independent

 

    Formed in 1988, Viogression emerged from Milwaukee’s underground with a series of demos that led to their acclaimed debut, "Expound & Exhort" (1990). Their early momentum landed them international tours with Death and Pestilence, anchoring their place in death metal's formative scene. Their sophomore release, "Passage" (1994), was released in an unfinished state and signaled the start of a prolonged hiatus. After reforming in 2003, Viogression returned to recording and live activity, culminating in "3rd Stage Of Decay" (2022), a culmination of years spent rebuilding. Now, in 2025, they deliver "Thaumaturgic Veil," a sprawling, esoteric plunge into dense sonic territory.

"Thaumaturgic Veil" is an expansive and conceptual death metal album built around themes of consciousness, vibration, and esotericism. Its structure is deeply layered, featuring 19 tracks that combine full-length songs with atmospheric interludes, acting as bridges in a larger metaphysical narrative. The compositional scope here moves beyond conventional formatting, drawing from ritualistic cadence and tonal micro-shifts, which carry the listener through soundscapes both brutal and ambient.

Musically, the album leans heavily on mid-paced churning riffs, dense rhythmic interplay, and cavernous vocals. The guitar tone is thick and oppressive, often alternating between suffocating repetition and sharp, accentuated leads. Viogression’s rhythm section adds considerable weight: the drumming is forceful and responsive, with sudden bursts of blast-heavy intensity, while the bass often merges into the low-end wall, creating a monolithic sonic mass. Key moments arise when melodies surface just long enough to disorient the bleakness, adding a sense of momentum without providing relief.

Lyrically, "Thaumaturgic Veil" avoids standard death metal fare in favor of cryptic, occult-inflected language. Titles like "Akhara Aakasa," "Heqet Saeculum," and "Ouroboros Noesis" suggest a framework rooted in mysticism, inner vision, and transformation. The conceptual arc is underpinned by interludes such as "Enûma Elish Ilū" and "Amaranthine Kairos," which are designed less as ambient filler and more as reflective pauses, giving room for the overarching themes to breathe.

The production emphasizes mass and density, avoiding over-separation of instruments in favor of a unified, immersive approach. Mixed by Chris Djuricic and mastered by Dave Otero, the sound is cohesive but purposefully heavy. Moments of sharp articulation—guitar solos, higher frequency percussion, or background chants—emerge without detaching from the album’s physical weight. The vocals, delivered by Brian DeNeffe, oscillate between guttural, ritualistic intonation and chaotic rasping, contributing significantly to the overall atmosphere.

"Thaumaturgic Veil" is not built for casual listening. Its thematic complexity and sonic density require full immersion. The inclusion of interludes and nonlinear progression may challenge those expecting a more direct structure, but within the scope of its intent, the album achieves consistency in tone and intent. The presence of a track like "Buki’s Dream," originally composed in 1994 and embellished for this release, ties Viogression’s past to their present with unforced continuity.

The artwork by Diego Gedoz de Souza complements the sonic content—surreal, dense, and abstract—while the physical design and photography further reflect the metaphysical tone Viogression aims to capture.

Score: 8.0