Chicago melodic death metallers VOW are now streaming their full debut EP, Death Will Be My Bridge, ahead of its official release this Friday through Iron Fortress Records on vinyl, CD, and cassette.
Blending mournful melodies, gothic atmosphere, and emotionally charged aggression, the EP introduces the band’s distinct take on melodic death metal — one rooted as much in epic composition and harmony as in hardcore urgency and metallic intensity.
Guitarist Aaron O’Neill described the project as a deliberate move away from simply competing in heaviness:
“We decided to focus our strengths elsewhere — melody, harmony, thematic composition, epic scope and gothic narratives with florid prose.”
He also noted the band’s wide range of influences, incorporating elements of melodic death and black metal, epic doom, traditional heavy metal, USPM, and 2000s metalcore into a unified sound.
Formed in late 2023 on Chicago’s north side, VOW draw inspiration from classic European melodic death metal acts including Eucharist, Gates of Ishtar, and Dawn, while incorporating the aggression and immediacy of hardcore and the New Wave of American Heavy Metal.
Recorded with Greg Livas at Ohmstead Studios in Chicago and mixed/mastered by Spenser Morris, the EP features six tracks of harmony-driven extremity. Cover artwork was created by Juanjo Castellano, with logo and photography contributions from Ash Miyagawa.
Stream Death Will Be My Bridge:
VOW June Tour Dates
- June 6 — Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
- June 7 — St. Louis, MO @ The Sinkhole
- June 8 — Chattanooga, TN @ JJ’s Bohemia
- June 9 — Savannah, GA @ The Portal
- June 10 — Orlando, FL @ My Sister’s House
- June 11 — Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Klub Kutters
- June 12 — Jacksonville, FL @ Hard Love
- June 13 — Huntsville, AL @ Lisztomania Arts Center
- June 14 — Louisville, KY @ Mag Bar
- June 15 — Cincinnati, OH @ Hybrid Moments
- June 16 — Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle
Death Will Be My Bridge is available via Iron Fortress Records