We caught up with Birmingham-based UK Cinematic Prog Heavyweights Vanitas @ Bloodstock 2026 on its 25th Anniversary
Vanitas are a symphonic progressive metal band hailing from the home of metal: Birmingham, UK. Formed in 2022 and described once as ‘Periphery meets Disney ‘, Vanitas combine their love of progressive metal, djent and symphony inspired by composers such as Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy) and Motoi Sakuraba (Dark Souls) and artists such as Protest the Hero, Dream Theater and Devin Townsend to create their unique ‘cinematic djent’ sound. Vanitas build an immersive fantasy-like world around their music, inspired by anime and gaming communities. In August 2025, Vanitas released their most ambitious EP yet: Journey to the Sun; a high-intensity concept exploring the themes of adventure, hope, hardship and triumph- the EP has amassed over 85K streams since its release and multiple spins on BBC Introducing. Highlighted as ‘One’s to watch’ by BBC Introducing, Vanitas return in 2026 with their anticipated single ‘Nobody’, a fierce feminine rage anthem that is brutally heavy and takes no prisoners.”
“To be a part of Bloodstock’s 25th Anniversary truly is a dream come true and a moment we as Vanitas have been daydreaming about since the very beginning! We cannot wait to bring our cinematic prog metal to the EMP Stage, and promise to make it our best show yet!”
Catch up with all things new with the band here:
