UNFD
OUT NOW
I’m glad this review has come across my desk, because lucky for me, I got to see Void of Vision live on the Parkway Drive tour before all shit hit the fan, and they were unable to perform for a couple of the shows due to production issues. “Production Issues” … I think it was more about logistics issues with getting the rig packed down, transported 1000km south and set back up in time for back-to-back shows in Brisbane and Sydney. That’s none of my business though, but what is my business is the fact that this album was released on the day of that show, and for some reason it’s only reached me a week later. Someone might need to talk to the boss about our very own logistics issues.
But I digress, and I’ll start by saying that the guys put on one hell of an opening show at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Part of which I was able to capture on my selfie stick before it got confiscated by “Senior” Officer Grandma. You can check out that reel on my socials if you’re interested. The band I mean, not grandma, ya bloody sickos.
Anyway, enough of that rubbish and onto this new album, the band’s fourth album titled What I’ll Leave Behind. The album starts with Oblivion, which from the get-go is a chugging good time backed by some heavy synths and filled with dirty, raspy vocals. The vocals clean up a bit in the chorus which also take on more of a melodic feel, a good one, not one of those soppy, poppy ones. The song is broken in a couple of sections with some heavy breakdowns. What a way to start the album.
While Blood for Blood starts with a synth intro – which as you know sometimes gives me the shits – the band redeems themselves very quickly by thrashing that very shit out of me. The thrash attack is relentless until the band hits another massive breakdown which then halts momentarily for some samples to take over for a quick stint. Once the song returns, it continues to outdo itself with each riff leading to its end.
Supernova kicks off with some ferocious vocals taking the lead over backed-off and fuzzed-out drums, guitars and synths. This one has another clean chorus which is a bit of a sing-along adventure, but fuck me, when the riffs kick in they bloody smash me back into my chair. These guys do the heavy chug business well.
This next one has a pop vibe to it with its heavy synth overtones and clean verses. It ain’t pop, though, it’s too god dam heavy for that. It’s a strange sound, and the song name Neurotic matches the unsettling nervousness that the song creates.
Gamma Knife introduces itself with some heavy rap-style lyrics over an electronic drum beat and bass line. Once it grows some legs it turns into a rocking, heavy anthem. If it’s not already, this song should be their next single. Maybe not that breakdown though, that’s brutal.
The synth intro to Beautiful Things is not very beautiful, it’s kind of just weird, and at 40 seconds into the song I was wondering if it was going anywhere. It does, but it is simply joined by some clean lyrics over the top of the synth. And that sounds like it’s all the song is going to be, and I’m correct. Not sure what that was all about, but I’m sure it has some deep meaning to it. It certainly sounded like it did.
Empty, is one thing this song is not. The opening riff is absolute fire, and the song just continues to deliver riff after riff, and hook after hook. Oh yeah, this is my jam! Best track so far in my opinion! Ooft!
I’d be lying if I said all the Synth intros weren’t starting to shit me, but to be honest it would be weird without them because the band just integrates them into their sound so very well. Midnight Sweat is no exception with its heavy riffs, thumping drums and emotionally distraught lyric delivery. Another banger!
Two to go, Decades and Angel of Darkness. I’m not going to delve into these too much and will leave it up to you to all have your very own listen. What all I’ll say, though, is that they follow suit with the rest of the album to deliver with the heavy, and the synth and all that shit!
I’m glad I got to see these guys before they make it big and trust me, they will. The world wants and needs this band and this release, even if it doesn’t know it yet. It’ll know soon enough, though, and so will you!
