Umbra Vitae is an American death metal supergroup formed in 2020 in Boston, Massachusetts. The band brings together prominent figures from the metal and hardcore scenes, including vocalist Jacob Bannon (of Converge), guitarists Mike McKenzie (of The Red Chord) and Sean Martin (of Twitching Tongues, Hatebreed), bassist Greg Weeks (also of The Red Chord), and drummer Jon Rice (formerly of Job for a Cowboy and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats). The group has established itself as a powerful force in death metal, combining elements of classic and modern influences with their signature intensity. Their debut album Shadow of Life was released in 2020, and their follow-up album, Light of Death, is set for release in 2024.

Formation and Early Days
Umbra Vitae was born out of the creative sessions for Jacob Bannon's solo project, Wear Your Wounds. During the rehearsals for Wear Your Wounds, Bannon teamed up with Mike McKenzie and Sean Martin, both veterans of the metal and hardcore scenes. As their collaboration grew, Greg Weeks and Jon Rice were brought in to complete the lineup, forming what would become Umbra Vitae. The name of the band was inspired by the 1912 poem Umbra Vitae by German poet Georg Heym, which translates to "The Shadow of Life."

The formation of Umbra Vitae allowed the musicians to explore a heavier, more aggressive sound rooted in death metal, a genre each member was eager to delve into more deeply. The chemistry between the band members quickly became evident as they blended their individual styles and influences to create something fresh yet steeped in the traditional ferocity of death metal.

Debut Album: Shadow of Life (2020)
Umbra Vitae's first major step came in March 2020 when they announced their debut album Shadow of Life. The lead single from the album, "Return to Zero," was also released that month, giving fans a taste of the band's intense, death metal sound. Produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, known for his work with various metal and hardcore acts, the album captured the raw energy and speed the band aimed for, layered with complex guitar work and heavy rhythms.

In April 2020, Umbra Vitae released a music video for "Mantra of Madness," one of the standout tracks from Shadow of Life. The song's frenetic pace and crushing heaviness highlighted the band’s ability to merge traditional death metal with hardcore punk influences. By June 2020, a second music video for the track "Ethereal Emptiness" was released, further showcasing the band's sonic versatility and dark, brooding atmosphere. Shadow of Life was met with positive reviews from both fans and critics, who praised the album for its blend of modern and 90s death metal influences, along with its relentless intensity and emotional depth.

Second Album: Light of Death (2024)
After the success of their debut, Umbra Vitae continued to work on new material. On March 25, 2024, the band announced the upcoming release of their second album, Light of Death, which is scheduled to drop on June 7, 2024. The first single from the album, "Belief is Obsolete," was released ahead of the album announcement, followed by other singles including "Velvet Black" and "Anti-Spirit Machine." These tracks revealed a continuation of the band’s heavy sound, with added layers of complexity and dynamic shifts.

Musical Style and Influences
Umbra Vitae’s music is deeply rooted in death metal, with elements of hardcore punk and grindcore also present in their sound. Vocalist Jacob Bannon has described the band’s music as his closest work to traditional death metal, emphasizing speed, aggression, and heaviness. Bannon’s signature vocal style, combined with the intricate guitar work of McKenzie and Martin, and the powerful rhythm section of Weeks and Rice, creates a sound that is both brutal and atmospheric.

Critics have highlighted the band’s ability to blend old-school death metal influences with a modern edge. Jamie Ludwig of the Chicago Reader praised the band's debut album, noting that it combines "90s and modern influences with hardcore energy and plenty of grit, anxiety, and rage." This mix of styles has helped Umbra Vitae stand out in the contemporary metal scene, appealing to fans of both death metal and hardcore.

Band Members
Jacob Bannon – Vocals (2020–present): Bannon is best known as the frontman of the influential hardcore band Converge. In Umbra Vitae, his vocal delivery remains intense, bringing a raw and emotional edge to the band's death metal sound.

Mike McKenzie – Guitar (2020–present): McKenzie, known for his work with The Red Chord, contributes intricate and heavy guitar riffs that form the backbone of Umbra Vitae's sound.

Sean Martin – Guitar (2020–present): A veteran guitarist with experience in bands like Hatebreed and Twitching Tongues, Martin adds a unique blend of hardcore and metal influences to the band’s sonic palette.

Greg Weeks – Bass (2020–present): As the bassist for The Red Chord, Weeks brings a solid and aggressive low end to Umbra Vitae, driving the band’s heavy sound.

Jon Rice – Drums (2020–present): Rice, who has played with Job for a Cowboy and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, provides the band with fast, precise drumming, essential for the intensity of Umbra Vitae's death metal approach.

Discography
Studio Albums
Shadow of Life (2020): Umbra Vitae's debut album, blending death metal and hardcore punk with a relentless energy that quickly established the band as a formidable presence in the metal scene.

Light of Death (2024): The band’s upcoming second album, set for release in June 2024, promises to continue their exploration of dark, heavy, and intense musical themes.

Singles
"Return to Zero" (2020): The lead single from their debut album, Shadow of Life, which introduced fans to the band’s fast-paced, heavy death metal sound.

"Mantra of Madness" (2020): A standout track from their debut album, which also received a music video.

"Belief is Obsolete" (2024): The first single from their forthcoming album Light of Death.

"Velvet Black" (2024): Another track from Light of Death showcasing the band's evolving sound.

"Anti-Spirit Machine" (2024): A high-energy single from the band’s upcoming album.

Music Videos
"Mantra of Madness" (2020): The first music video released by the band, highlighting the intensity and chaotic energy of their sound.

"Ethereal Emptiness" (2020): The second video from Shadow of Life, emphasizing the atmospheric and dark elements of their music.

Conclusion
Umbra Vitae has quickly established itself as a powerful entity in the death metal genre. Formed by members of renowned hardcore and metal bands, the supergroup has created a distinctive sound that blends old-school death metal with modern influences and hardcore intensity. Their debut album, Shadow of Life, was met with critical acclaim, and the anticipation for their second release, Light of Death, continues to grow. With a lineup of seasoned musicians and a unique sound, Umbra Vitae has positioned itself as a significant player in the contemporary metal scene, known for its aggression, speed, and emotional depth.