2022, Australia. The Music industry flounders once again under the weight of cancelled and postponed shows and festivals, and hospitality, front-line and entertainment industries struggle to find staff under the increasing number of cases of COVID, while Hillsong Church flouts all COVID-19 safety guidelines and rules and throws a “camp” that includes a festival-style concert and no social distancing and free Rapid Antigen Tests, with seemingly little to no consequence. The Prime Minister of Australia, a member of that same Church, offers little to no comment.

It is this hypocrisy of religion and the frustration and anger that it brings, that sees Vilify release this new song, Veils of Grey, out on February 4th. Vilify want everyone to know that they do not believe in any religion that is exclusionary, who divides, who takes, who punishes. Vilify aim to target unjust social issues that continue to slip through the cracks of society’s attention, offering a sense of hope – and to inspire people to question the worth that religion brings into their lives and society.

Vilify hope to inspire people to bring positive effects into the lives of others, without the context of religion or need to involve a god, or gods. Just care, inclusion, empathy and love.

This is the statement from vocalist Amy McIntosh, with the sentiments echoed by the band as a whole.

“‘Veils of Grey’ started as a song about searching for inspiration in a time where everything feels helpless. That is not where it ended up.

As I explored the concept of manifesting inspiration more and more the obvious tie to religion came up over and over. So many people pray to God for inspiration, and thank God for any blessing of a revelation. This began to bother me as I sat in isolation during a worldwide pandemic. Lonely. Frustrated. Helpless.

I began to look at my life and thought about the blessings “God” was currently giving and had given me and those around me. Repressed homosexuality at a young age, and the constant death and loss I’ve experienced still feels like the freshest of wounds. The list goes on and on – as it does for everyone. Then music. Music was all but taken. What else could this god possibly take?

I don’t believe in a god. But if I did – He doesn’t believe in us.

I stewed on this despair for a while before making a realisation. Praying to deities gets you nowhere. But I believe in us. Humans are powerful and inspiring. I’ve seen humans overcome time and time again and surprise me with compassion over and over. I believe in us. Be your own fucking god.“