Umbra Vitae

Umbra Vitae brings together musicians from across the death metal and hardcore spectrum, uniting Jacob Bannon of Converge with guitarists Mike McKenzie of the Red Chord and Sean Martin of Twitching Tongues and Hatebreed, bassist Greg Weeks of the Red Chord, and drummer Jon Rice of Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats and Job for a Cowboy. Traditional death metal forms the foundation of their approach, updated with modern touches, a style evident throughout Shadow of Life, the group’s debut full-length released in 2020 and shaped by producer Kurt Ballou, a respected figure in metal and hardcore circles. Ballou’s involvement extended to Light of Death in 2024, a confident and ferocious set that pushed fresh possibilities within the death metal style.