VANA’s latest offering, Trial & Error, which was released through Rebellion Records on November 13, 2024, is a visceral and unapologetic EP that cements her position as a rising star in the metal world. Combining her signature blend of metalcore grit with electro-pop’s razor-sharp precision, the EP is a daring exploration of chaos, identity, and rebellion. With each track, VANA pushes boundaries, challenging norms and leaving listeners both exhilarated and unnerved.
From the opening notes of the chaotic track "RAGDOLL," it’s clear this EP doesn’t hold back one single bit. The track’s erratic tempo shifts and haunting vocals create a sense of unease that pulls listeners into VANA’s world of beautiful destruction. Her breakout single, "BEG!," makes an electrifying piece for the five-track effort, with it retaining its ferocious energy and taunting hooks that propelled it to viral fame.
The following track, "HARLEQUIN!," feels like a frenzied circus nightmare, with playful yet menacing instrumentals that mimic a carnival gone awry. This is followed by the feature on "PLAYBOi" by rising Canadian hyper-pop artist Sophie Powers which injects a contrasting sweetness that highlights the EP’s genre-bending nature by mixing the sweetness of hyper-pop with the tumultuous frenzy of metalcore. Their combined vocals create an anthem that feels both chaotic and strangely empowering, a sonic embodiment of unrestrained self-expression.
The standout track of the entire project, "SERPENTINE," is a masterclass in storytelling and sonic innovation. It's a retelling of the Eve and Lilith myth from a twisted, sapphic perspective of Lilith not being her serpent self and corrupting Eve to become one of her minions, is as provocative as it is captivating. Layers of atmospheric soundscapes, seductive lyrics, and unsettling beauty culminate in a track that lingers long after the final note ends. “The song plays on the story of Eve from a twisted perspective, where Lilith seduces her into a snake servant. It’s disturbing and it’s also unapologetically hot," VANA divulges. "Working with a cast of women and a queer female director was essential to capturing the essence of what it feels like to be a queer woman, bringing an authenticity that embraces the passionate, almost primal side of sapphic love—not just the ‘innocent’ depictions people are used to where two women fall in love and get a cottage on a farm and bake each other pies."
VANA’s lyrics are once again immensely raw, evocative, and completely unfiltered. The themes of horror, sexuality, and societal expectations thread through the entire EP, with songs like "NOXIOUS" unapologetically exploring toxicity and transformation. Her fearless commentary mocks the contradictory expectations placed on women in entertainment, particularly in alternative spaces. VANA leans into the absurd, magnifying stereotypes to grotesque proportions and weaponizing them into powerful anthems of defiance.
The production on Trial & Error is as chaotic and multifaceted as its creator. Each track is a sonic experiment, with no two sounding alike. Heavy guitar riffs collide with electronic beats, and distorted vocals seamlessly transition to ethereal whispers. This unpredictability mirrors VANA’s ethos: to challenge, provoke, and dismantle traditional structures in metal, and all music alike.
Trial & Error is not for the faint of heart, and that’s exactly what makes it exceptional. VANA’s bold approach to her music and image is a breath of fresh air in a genre that can sometimes feel rigid. By embracing chaos and leaning into the discomfort of the extreme, she creates a space where authenticity and individuality can thrive.
VANA isn’t just making music either; she’s crafting an entire movement. Trial & Error invites listeners to confront their own perceptions, embrace the discomfort of the unhinged, and revel in the catharsis of the raw and unapologetic.
Stream and/or download the EP HERE Check out more from VANA:
