Rising Sunset’s Vade Draconem Maledicte Marks a New Chapter in Gothic Metal
- Noel Mifsud
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Over two decades after their formation, Rising Sunset continue to blaze their trail through the metal scene with their unmistakable blend of darkness, and melodic might. Their latest release, Vade Draconem Maledicte, which dropped on November 22, 2024 via Bandcamp, stands as a commanding testament to the band’s enduring vision and artistic evolution.
Having emerged in 2001 as purveyors of Symphonic Power Metal, Rising Sunset has steadily morphed their sound into a more brooding and complex incarnation—now firmly grounded in the realm of Symphonic Gothic Metal. This transformation, while shaped by numerous lineup changes over the years, has never compromised the band’s core identity. If anything, Vade Draconem Maledicte proves that Rising Sunset has only grown more focused and formidable.
The album’s title, translated roughly from Latin as "Go Back, Accursed Dragon", offers immediate insight into its thematic direction. Across its nine tracks, the record delves into motifs of deliverance, exorcism, transformation, rebirth, liberation, hope, and ultimately, triumph over evil. From the relentless opener "A State of Darkness" to the defiant closer "Vengeance Is Mine", Rising Sunset crafts an immersive sonic journey that is as cinematic as it is visceral.
Standout tracks like "Shadows Are Speaking" and "Vade Retro Satana" underscore the band's matured sound—a deft balance of choral grandeur, haunting melodies, and aggressive riffing. There is a deep sense of narrative in this album, almost liturgical in its structure, and profoundly spiritual in tone.
The cover art, crafted by renowned artist Julian Mallia, plays no small part in conjuring this atmosphere. In a Facebook post dated November 18, 2024, Mallia revealed:
“The band members were kind enough to trust me with their vision for this album... Following the idea generation phase / pencil sketching phase (based on discussions with the band), the final artwork was hand-drawn digitally. The image is intended to evoke an ambiguous narrative that, together with the chosen colour scheme, sets the tone for the album.”
Indeed, the artwork—simultaneously mythic and introspective—complements the music’s soaring, sombre textures, amplifying the overarching themes of spiritual warfare and transcendence.
With this release in hand, Rising Sunset shall be making a return to the live stage in 2025, having been announced earlier this year as part of the Xtreme Metal Assault’s comeback lineup. The last time the band was on the XMA stage was in 2017. This shows that Rising Sunset are not merely survivors in the shifting tides of metal—they are visionaries still ascending.
The band’s journey, stretching from early EP Rhema (2006) through critically noted albums like Equinox (2012), Decretum (2016), and De Mysterium Tenebris (2020), has culminated powerfully in Vade Draconem Maledicte. It is an album that encapsulates their evolution while drawing clear lines of continuity from their earliest days.
In a scene often plagued by repetition or fleeting trends, Rising Sunset offers something rare: a consistent yet ever-deepening voice in metal’s vast and varied chorus. As Vade Draconem Maledicte resounds through 2025, it does so with the weight and passion of a band that still has much to say—and all the fire left to say it.
live band photos by Maria Catania @marcail.saphir
Comments