Void Of Silence — Human Antithesis
I’m a big fan of this bands first two albums. Criteria ov 666 and Toward the dusk were both highly absorbing works combining industrial and doom metal in an atmospheric and powerful way. For me one of the bands strongest aspects was the performance of Malfeitor Fabban on vocals, who’s mix of black metal like screams and monk like chants added a wonderfully obscure edge to the sound.
So I was a bit concerned when I heard Alan Nemtheanga (of Primordial) was taking over the vocal duties from Fabban on the new album. Sadly I feel that my concerns were justified. His spoken word style which dominates the album just doesn’t fit with the music created and quite frankly crosses the line into cheesiness on most occasions. The whispered lyrics about praying to god and fighting to the end just come out sounding ridiculous.
Also it would seem that the band has tickered with their sound to allow the vocals more room. Bad idea, the thing that made Fabban’s voice so good was that you could rarely understand what he was saying,, but his chants and screams blended with the other elements of the sound becoming just like another instrument. Nemtheanga’s vocals try to take centre stage, but simply fail to deliver.
The twenty minute epic title track that kicks the album off is a prime example of a good composition ruined by vocals forced into the sound. The grinding industrial doom rolls on much as in the bands previous efforts although the production is the finest they have yet achieved. Grey horizon (M.P.H. MMIV) is a more atmospheric and synth driven track with more pained vocals and some nice piano chords. The third, Untitled track is a rather pointless choral piece in what sounds like Latin. It only lasts a minute or so.
To a sickly child begins with sample filled atmospherics and sounds of decay before lunging into another doom grind. Nemtheanga’s growls again failing to match the epic quality of the music. Dark static moments is the standout track for me despite more cringe worthy spoken word parts. It features a brilliant spiralling guitar solo from Ivan Zara at around eleven minutes in that makes it all worthwhile. Although the fake cackling from Nemtheanga just before the solo almost made me want to turn the CD off. Sadly Void of Silence have now broken up, this is particularly sad as this final effort really doesn’t do their talent and ability justice. If you think industrial laden doom metal is your cup of tea then you can’t go far wrong with this band. Just get their other albums first though.