EP Review: VCTMS – Pain Processing II (Self Released)

Chicago based metalcore band, VCTMS, return with their brand new EP, Pain Processing II set for release on the 1st of May independently.

VCTMS have built up an immense discography since their inception in 2013 with five full lengths and two EPs under their belts already. The last of those was 2024’s Pain Processing, the precursor for this one, Pain Processing II. As a band, they have never really paid too much attention to genre labels. Often described as metalcore, or Nu Metalcore, VCTMS incorporate splashes of hip-hop, darkwave, industrial, post-hardcore and more into their sound defying genre boundaries. At their core though, no matter how experimental they get, they are angry, delivering devastating metal, hellbent on groovy, chaotic, blistering and depressive noise with lyrical content that ranges from introspection to homicidal.

VCTMS also like to collaborate and have created music with the likes of  Spite’s Darius Tehrani, Emmure’s Frankie Palmeri, and Paleface Swiss’ Marc Zelli. There are also plenty of guest artists here on Pain Processing II. They have a commendable work ethic and a fiercely loyal fanbase earned through their relatability, their consistent quality and extensive touring. Tours that have seen them out with acts like Crystal Lake, Paleface Swiss, 156/Silence, Veil Of Maya, Cane Hill and more just within the last few years alone.

VCTMS deliver quite a mammoth EP here, with 7 tracks and around 24 minutes of music, getting them close to album length in some genres. They also come with a multitude of guests and a complete disregard for grammar. First up is “twenty/eight” and it’s a brutal start. Harsh vocals are spat out aggressively before crunching metallic riffs and chaotic drum beats add to the angst and anger. You feel the passion washing over you in wave after wave of intensity. That’s how you make an impact. While it is slamming, with impressive vocal power and range within the anarchy, you can still catch a beat and a bit of groove too. I think I might be too old for the pit for this one though—this will rip venues apart live. There will be bodies everywhere.

This aggression doesn’t ease off across Pain Processing II either. “victim/mentality” drops a bit of electronica alongside one of the coolest opening riffs. Additional vocals come from the first of our guests, Austin Hays (Heavy//Hitter), so there is no easing back here. I love the structure of this song, and the additional vocals just add more layers and depth. The dance beats aren’t always my cup of tea, but they are used intelligently here to plug verse gaps, so I’m on board. It flows nicely, flying by in a blur but packing impressive instrumentation and vocals, with a seriously chunky breakdown too.

Ben Hoagland (vocalist of Extortionist) features on “burning bones” as we continue to get pummelled by intensely heavy and angry metal. The vocals here are so cool, and I love the speedy delivery during the verses. The added vocals, and the vocalists within VCTMS, add so much range, depth, and so many layers. It’s a little bit of a sensory overload at times, but in a good way, and that feeling backs up the chaotic angst of the music, keeping you locked in. While there is so much going on lyrically and vocally, it can be easy to miss the talent on the instruments. There are superb drum patterns, intense bass, crunching riffs, and layers of electronica filling the gaps.

“bed_of_nails” eases things off a little, intelligently helping to pace the release. I love this song. It’s so clever and shows VCTMS have more to offer than just noise and brutality. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a really heavy and intense track, but it has creativity splashed all over it, with a little rap verse from drummer Meredith Henderson, plenty of heavy sections, and added melody both in the guitars and the vocal delivery in the chorus. It’s a supremely well-written song that’s going to get a ton of playtime from me.

Back to the guests, and we have “devil’s // speak,” which features Nathan Johnson (Fox Lake). While it is, of course, brutal, aggressive, and angry, the pace is dropped a bit to allow the impact to hit harder. Deeper tones and meatier riffs ram the message home, while all of the vocals combine to create a sound that has real depth, layers, and impact. Aaron Matts of ten56. features on the next track, “trauma/response.” It’s a shorter, sub-3-minute blast of crunchy riffs and intense vocal performances. The drums impress here, delivering slow, stomping beats alongside plenty of organised chaos from the screaming guitars, effects, and distorted sounds.

Pain Processing II comes to a close with “clip my wings,” featuring Juan Guiterraez, and sees VCTMS get a little more expansive and creative, making sure they leave a lasting mark as the EP ends. The clean singing and ringing guitars in the intro are great and really suck you into the track. As the melody drops, it’s insanely catchy, and the clean vocals working alongside the harsh growls and screams works wonders. The song transitions from emotional cleans into intense heaviness almost without you even noticing. I really like the balance, and while the overall feel is still heavy, the contrast between the cleaner elements and the brutality is cleverly managed and executed. It’s a real standout track on a very strong EP.

VCTMS have delivered an EP that feels relentless in both intent and execution, balancing sheer aggression with more than enough creativity to keep things engaging throughout. The guest spots add genuine value, while the band’s own versatility gives the record real depth. It can feel overwhelming at times, but that chaos is part of the appeal. Ultimately, Pain Processing II is a heavy, modern release that hits hard, sticks with you, and shows there’s more to VCTMS than just unfiltered brutality.

Track List:

1 – twenty/eight
2 – victim/mentality ft. Austin Hays of Heavy//Hitter
3 – burning bones (ft/ Ben Hoagland of Extortionist)
4 – bed_of_nails
5 – devil’s // speak (ft/ Nathan Johnson of Fox Lake)
6 – trauma/response (ft/ Aaron Matts of ten56)
7 – clip my wings (ft/ Juan Guiteraez)

VCTMS Links

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