TRIGGER WARNING – This article contains discussions about suicidal ideation and mental illness.
We've been following the rise of Melbourne/Naarm metalcore outfit In Vanity for a few years now, but nothing could prepare us for the announcement that today's release would be their last as a band...
Earlier in the week, the band revealed on their socials that they're calling it a day, stating:
"This coming Friday January the 27th, we will be releasing our final song, Birdcage. This track was a collaborative effort about our mental states when the world was locked down over the last two years. It’s always been our mission to write music that gives people a voice, and we hope that Birdcage reminds you it is absolutely okay to ask for help when you need it."
No strangers to covering hard-hitting and thought provoking topics, the band shined bright with potential following their Identity EP's release, and the string of shows they played in support of it. Now, we get 'Birdcage', a melodic-core belter that harks back to the Divination/Sky Dancer eras of In Hearts Wake, combining both catchy cleans and plenty of screams/growths throughout the song based around the dreaded lockdowns and isolation during the pandemic as frontman RalphBrown shares:
"The lyrics for Birdcage were actually originally intended for my other project, Without Belief. During the COVID pandemic, lockdown had affected my mental state to the point where I wrote a suicide note, which eventuated into what you hear on Birdcage. Mental health is a topic we'd always come around to with our music since we in the band, as well as millions and billions of people around the world, suffer from anxiety and depression. We wanted to have something relatable and understandable to those who suffered during the lockdown, but also remind them, that our struggles were not all for nothing. Even though we unfortunately lost so many people to suicide at a rate which could be said was the highest it's ever been in this day and age, we wanted to reassure people that they're not alone and they never will be."
If you or anyone you know needs help with their own mental well-being call Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or find your closest Suicide Prevention/Crisis Support Organisation on Google…
On the disbanding news, drummer OllieMidson shared with us:
"Towards the end of 2022, there was a noticeable shift in energy throughout the band, and after some individual soul searching, we all came to an amicable decision to part ways and focus on other musical endeavours. Speaking for myself, there’s definitely mixed emotions as we put this band to rest, as it’s the biggest project I’ve ever been a part of and poured my heart into, but at the end of the day, it’s for the best.
I’m so grateful for every opportunity we’ve been given. Playing with bands like Alpha Wolf, Silent Planet and Currents were what I could only dream about a few years ago, and now those dreams have came true. To those who followed us along the way, I’m really sorry it had to end. I only hope that our music helped you in some way, and can inspire you to help others in your life who are suffering. Love, always."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnvFBHAys1g/
In only five short years, the band accomplished so much, releasing plenty of tracks that will no doubt live on throughout the local and national scene. We wish the boys all the very best and cannot wait to see where they pop up next - because talent like this doesn't deserve to fade away into obscurity!
Final sales from their merch will be donated to Beyond Blue - so head to their store and get buying!
Words by Paul ‘Browny’ Brown (@brownypaul)
In Vanity
2018-2023
https://open.spotify.com/album/3YvjPEROSF398d0XPGcm6f?si=e9e9aaeafa6c4c00
