A comfort zone is an easy thing in which to slip. For example, I write the same basic review structure every time out and have done so for the 15 years this site has existed. I am bowing, and you just can’t see me. This year, I tried to do some different things, and while I have a format, I am trying to be less rigid to keep me (and you) engaged.
Temple of Void, who are infinitely more talented and relevant than I, have dragged their formidable sound through the death/doom paradigm ever since forming and on their powerful first four records. But on “The Crawl,” they changed things up a bit. The music remains heavy and gloomy, remaining mostly true to their sound, but they added different flourishes and moods that create depth and inject more character to what they do. The band—vocalist/guitarist Mike Erdody (previously he strictly was behind the mic), guitarist Alex Awn, bassist Justin Malek (who replaces Brent Satterly), drummer Jason Pearce—not only went through a lineup shift but also decided to eschew boundaries previously established and retooled their sound. It’s a success, and hopefully this path remains.
“Poison Icon” tears open, fiery and tempered, growls boiling as your extremities tingle from the force. Growls engorge as clean guitar lines slip into the picture, complementing the heaviness, burning as the final embers let smoke gradually rise. “Godless Cynic” opens with drums pushing, the bass trudging, and growls bathing in acid. Soot smears as the guitars spark flames, the chorus gurgles, and the playing bristles, increasing the intensity before doom clouds overtake the light and choke everything to the ground. The title track has riffs spiraling and lurching, growls dragging you through pits of glass, the battering picking up noticeably and raising the stakes. Then the pace gets slower and sludgier, mashing as clean guitars drip, the steam thickening and drifting into the clouds. To this point, the record is pretty solid stuff, but its true magic lies in the second half.
“A Dead Issue” whirs with synth sheen, driving as the keys glow and organs rise, giving a vintage psyche finish to their thorns. Icy future emerges as the riffs soar, the growls snarl with the temperature decrease, then the guitars get catchier before everything boils away. My notes say, “More of this, please.” So… “Thy Mountain Eternal” starts clean before your visibility gets compromised, howls digging deep as the leads bask in sun-stained glory, bruising and battering as emotions fly. The track breaks open, letting flow colorful, shimmering guitars and strong synth beams that break through darkened skies. “Soulburn” is a killer, guitars burning brightly, growls gurgling as melodies gaze and synth drives ice daggers. The playing feels a bit more traditional metal, which they pull off well, the infectious strains entering your bloodstream, the soloing bending as the band thrashes as hard as ever, Closer “The Twin Stranger” opens with guitars gliding, the pace drubbing and crushing, the vibe feeling grislier and bloodier. The leads unite and drive with triumphant effect, the growls boil in your guts, and psyche-heavy melodies rush, everything ending in a storm woosh that drenches.
“The Crawl” is a nice step forward for Temple of Void, giving them added nuances and an expanded sound that hopefully continues to blossom on future releases. Not that we were tiring of their death/doom approach, as it served them quite well, but this album, especially its second half, really shows the potential that lies here. I’m excited to hear what’s next, but this record and its advancements certainly will suffice for now.
For more on the band, go here: https://templeofvoid.bandcamp.com/
To buy the album, go here: https://www.relapse.com/pages/temple-of-void-the-crawl
For more on the label, go here: https://www.relapse.com/
Meat Mead Metal 