Void – Void
It's really odd to write about an album where you can hear a person who has already passed away. And it's really weird to do this when the record is so fresh. Just as their second studio album was released, UK's own Void have lost their singer Ben Lowe who committed suicide during his trip to Australia. It is their second studio album since their full-length debut Posthuman released in 2003, and the band has dedicated their new effort to their now-missing friend Ben. Rest in peace...
And it's a great tribute, because the album is very good. The music on it can be labeled as black metal, but don't expect the straightforward and dumbed-down tremolos and blastbeats of typical black metal such as Gorgoroth, Satyricon and the likes. On the other hand, Void do not fall into the progressive ridiculousness of late Emperor or psychedelic sound of modern Enslaved. It's definitely a progressive black metal record with hints of atmosphere, more brutal death metal riffs, clean vocals and changing rhythms thrown all over the place. The closest comparison I can draw is Ved Buens Ende, but Void still sounds originally and doesn't fall to copying anyone's sound.
The production on this record seems to feature the best of both worlds. It sure has some dirt and rawness of traditional black metal, with sandy guitars and other typical traits of this genre. But every instrument can be heard pretty well and you get a very good impression of every note played. Of course, it's also due to the musicianship featured by band members, which is on a very high level that doesn't make you pay attention to it at all. Combined with atmospheric and interesting music, this makes Void's self-titled album a really good addition to anyone's collection.
If you like atmospheric and heavy music and aren't limited to black metal standards this album is definitely for you. Too bad that it's release is darkened by such a tragedy and I only hope that the band will try to carry on with their music, because it really deserves to be continued from this point.
And it's a great tribute, because the album is very good. The music on it can be labeled as black metal, but don't expect the straightforward and dumbed-down tremolos and blastbeats of typical black metal such as Gorgoroth, Satyricon and the likes. On the other hand, Void do not fall into the progressive ridiculousness of late Emperor or psychedelic sound of modern Enslaved. It's definitely a progressive black metal record with hints of atmosphere, more brutal death metal riffs, clean vocals and changing rhythms thrown all over the place. The closest comparison I can draw is Ved Buens Ende, but Void still sounds originally and doesn't fall to copying anyone's sound.
The production on this record seems to feature the best of both worlds. It sure has some dirt and rawness of traditional black metal, with sandy guitars and other typical traits of this genre. But every instrument can be heard pretty well and you get a very good impression of every note played. Of course, it's also due to the musicianship featured by band members, which is on a very high level that doesn't make you pay attention to it at all. Combined with atmospheric and interesting music, this makes Void's self-titled album a really good addition to anyone's collection.
If you like atmospheric and heavy music and aren't limited to black metal standards this album is definitely for you. Too bad that it's release is darkened by such a tragedy and I only hope that the band will try to carry on with their music, because it really deserves to be continued from this point.
1. Cicatrix
2. Alligator X-Ray
3. Ego Tranquilizer
4. Where Red Limbs Stir
5. Cypher
6. Feral
7. Exempt
8. Spectre
9. Babylon
2. Alligator X-Ray
3. Ego Tranquilizer
4. Where Red Limbs Stir
5. Cypher
6. Feral
7. Exempt
8. Spectre
9. Babylon
Duplicate Records
Reviewer: twansibon
Feb 2, 2011
Feb 2, 2011
Next review:
Desultory - Counting Our Scars
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