VCTMS are not easing into anything right now. The Illinois based group is stepping into a new chapter with intention, pushing their sound deeper into chaos while tightening every element that has built their reputation across heavy music.
Their latest single, “Burning Bones,” arrives as the first real signal of what is coming next, setting the tone for their upcoming EP Pain Processing II, scheduled for release on May 1. The track feels immediate, aggressive, and fully locked in with the identity the band has been sharpening over the past few years.
This is not a reset. It is an escalation.
Listen to VCTMS new music video “burning/bones” below:
The Energy Behind “Burning Bones”
“Burning Bones” hits with the kind of controlled intensity that VCTMS have been building toward with each release. From the opening moments, the track leans into thick breakdowns, jagged riffs, and a groove that feels just as important as the heaviness itself.
There is a rhythm to the chaos.
The band has always balanced aggression with movement, and here that balance feels more refined than ever. The guitars grind forward while the percussion lands with weight, giving the track a pulse that carries through every section.
Adding to that impact is the collaboration with Ben Hoagland of Extortionist, whose presence fits naturally into the track’s structure. It does not feel forced or added for the sake of a feature. It feels like an extension of the energy VCTMS is already delivering.
Everything about “Burning Bones” points to a band that understands how to make heavy music feel both punishing and intentional.
Building Toward Pain Processing II
The upcoming EP, Pain Processing II, continues the storyline VCTMS began with their previous release. According to the band, this project is not just a continuation. It is a deeper dive into the themes and sonic direction they have been exploring.
The group describes the EP as a more focused and intense evolution of their sound, blending suffocating breakdowns, punishing riffs, and emotionally driven vocals into something that feels both personal and destructive.
That balance between emotional weight and sonic aggression has always been central to VCTMS. What changes here is the level of precision.
Every element feels sharper.
Rather than revisiting familiar territory, Pain Processing II expands the band’s vision, moving through themes of struggle, reflection, and release in a way that feels structured without losing the raw energy that defines their music.
It is heavier. It is darker. And it sounds like a band that knows exactly what they want to create.
Pre save Pain Processing II here.
VCTMS Sound Blends Chaos And Control
One of the defining traits of VCTMS is their ability to pull from multiple influences without losing their core identity. While rooted in metalcore, their sound incorporates elements from across the heavy and alternative spectrum.
There are hints of hip hop in the rhythm and delivery. Industrial textures show up in the atmosphere. Darkwave tones and post hardcore energy weave through different sections of their music.
Instead of feeling scattered, those influences create a layered sound that keeps each track unpredictable while still grounded.
That unpredictability is part of what makes VCTMS stand out.
You can hear it in “Burning Bones,” where groove driven sections shift into full intensity without losing cohesion. The transitions feel natural, even when the sound itself leans into chaos.
It is a balance that not every band can maintain.
VCTMS makes it feel effortless.
About VCTMS
VCTMS have carved out a place in heavy music by fully leaning into their identity. The Illinois group has built a sound rooted in groove, chaos, and emotional intensity, creating music that feels both aggressive and deeply personal.
Across multiple releases, the band has continued to evolve while maintaining the raw energy that defines their style. Their catalog reflects a balance between experimentation and consistency, drawing on influences from metalcore, hip hop, industrial, and alternative spaces without losing focus.
Collaborations with artists like Darius Tehrani of Spite, Frankie Palmeri of Emmure, and Marc Zelli of Paleface Swiss have further expanded their reach, connecting them with different corners of the heavy music community.
At their core, VCTMS remain a band built on dedication, both to their sound and to the fans who continue to support them.
With Pain Processing II on the horizon, they are not slowing down. If anything, they are pushing harder in the direction they have been building all along.
And “Burning Bones” makes that clear from the first note.
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